A ground-breaking bid for regional ownership of strategic transport decisions in the South East of England has been submitted to government by a partnership of the region’s local authorities and business leaders.
The proposal from Transport for the South East – which is strongly supported by EM3 LEP as well as the Hampshire and Surrey Chambers of Commerce - is designed to power-up the region’s economic recovery from the effects of Covid-19 and accelerate investment in sustainable transport as part of a 30-year transport strategy.
The strategy aims to make the South East a leading global region for net-zero carbon, and sustainable economic growth by delivering integrated transport, energy and digital networks to support businesses, residents and visitors.
If agreed by the Transport Secretary and approved by Parliament, Transport for the South East would become a statutory sub-national transport body with direct influence over government decision-making on transport issues and the powers needed to deliver major improvements to the South East’s transport network.
The bid has the backing of the South East’s local authorities and local economic partnerships (LEPs) representing more than 7.5m people and 300,000 businesses. Chambers of Commerce, transport operators, ports, airports, protected landscapes and universities in the South East have also given their support, as have national organisations including the Confederation of British Industry and passenger watchdog Transport Focus.
Welcoming the news, Chief Executive of the Hampshire Chambers of Commerce and EM3 Board Member, Ross McNally said:
“Enterprise M3 LEP, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and Surrey Chambers together with the whole business community that we jointly represent really welcome Transport for South East’s proposal to Government for statutory status. The South East is a vital motor for the UK’s economy, contributing more than any other region outside London, with the EM3 area central to this success.
The highly skilled workforce, strong and developing industry clusters, access to international gateways, and the national importance of the Solent Ports and Heathrow Airport are just a few of the many factors justifying the need for a statutory sub-national transport body for the region. This will enable all areas, sectors and interests to speak with one voice to develop a better connected, more prosperous and most importantly more sustainable South East”.
Cllr Keith Glazier, chair of Transport for the South East, said:
“The South East is a true powerhouse for the UK economy, contributing more than any other region outside London. It’s the country’s principal international gateway for people and goods and drives productivity and prosperity across the UK.
“Our transport strategy sets out how investment in a more sustainable transport network will help our economy recover and grow, delivering a green transport revolution that will create jobs, boost quality of life and help cut carbon emissions to net-zero.
“Transport for the South East has quickly emerged as a powerful and effective partnership for our region, but delivering on our ambitions will require more than just partnership working. That’s why we want to formalise our role as the South East’s voice for strategic transport by becoming a statutory body.
“Statutory status will mean we can work with government to decide how and where money is spent on our region’s transport network and give us the powers we need to accelerate schemes and projects which are better for people, better for business and better for the planet.”
The powers and responsibilities Transport for the South East is seeking would allow the partnership to:
- Develop and implement a Strategic Investment Plan for the region
- Act as ‘one voice’ for the South East in agreeing investment priorities with the Secretary of State for Transport
- Become a statutory partner in road and rail investment decisions
- Improve bus services for passengers and provide improved alternatives to car travel
- Coordinate the delivery of region-wide integrated smart ticketing
- Implement road charging schemes linked to Clean Air Zones to improve quality of life for people in the South East
The powers are designed to support the delivery of Transport for the South East’s 30-year transport strategy, which sets out how investment in sustainable transport can deliver a significant shift to public transport from private vehicles, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and tackle poor air quality in the region’s towns and cities, better connect its ports and airports, improve transport links for deprived communities and make planning and paying for travel simpler and easier for everyone.
The strategy was approved by Transport for the South East’s partnership board following public consultation. It will be used to inform a series of area studies which will determine packages of investment to improve north-south and east-west travel in the South East. Taken together, these investment packages will form a regional strategic investment plan which Transport for the South East plans to publish in 2022.
You can read Transport for the South East's proposal to government for statutory status here.
Ends
From 1 April 2024, the responsibility for LEP functions across the Enterprise M3 LEP region has transferred to Hampshire County Council and Surrey County Council.
The Enterprise M3 Board met for the last time in March 2024 and Enterprise M3 LEP is no longer operating as an organisation.
For any enquiries relating to economic development across the counties of Hampshire and Surrey, please visit the Hampshire County Council website and Business Surrey respectively.
Please note that Enterprise M3 LEP staff have transferred to Hampshire County Council to continue to deliver services and activities in Hampshire, including the Growth Hub, the Careers Hub, work on key business sectors, and trade and investment.
They can be contacted at economic.development@hants.gov.uk.
Collaborate with us to connect with organisations, people and ideas