King’s Speech: Increased local decision-making “promising”

Number 10 has a relatively clean slate when it comes to active travel, so naturally cycle advocates were keenly listening to today’s Kings Speech, where the aforementioned royal officially opened the new Parliament.

Cycling UK has responded hopefully to the speech, which outlines the new government’s plans. Increased localisation was seen as a positive – perhaps in mind of the active travel gains made by a number of city mayors. Cycling UK also noted positive noises around public transport.

While cycle advocates and cycle industry will doubtless be united in favour of any pro-cycling policies, the industry will probably also be keenly eyeing the broader economic response to the speech and to the early days of the new Labour government. Factors like consumer confidence, investor confidence and interest rates will count.

“In today’s King’s Speech the government has presented a promising plan for the future of transport in this country,” said Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK. “Commitments made to get Britain building have the power to enhance economic growth, improve public health, and help us meet our climate targets. However, this progress is contingent on ensuring that investments include the development of walking and cycling infrastructure from the get-go.

“We are encouraged by the prospect of increased local decision-making and see it as an opportunity to grant local leaders in England more authority to implement transport improvements in their communities. We will push the Government to pair this with increased investment in active travel, to ensure the huge benefits of cycling, for our health, our economy and our environment, are realised.”

Conversely, shared transport CoMoUK labelled the speech “disappointing”, arguing there was no mention of legalising electric scooters or expanding car clubs and bike share schemes. Arguably,

Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “It is disappointing that after its comprehensive victory at the election earlier this month, Labour has not seized the chance to be as bold as it could have been in the King’s Speech.

“We welcome the government’s intention to improve services for bus and rail passengers, but there is a clear policy gap when it comes to shared transport, which has the potential to work alongside these other reforms in decarbonising the way we travel.

“Today’s announcement of plans to give more powers to local councils in England should also include the ability to expand the use of shared transport, whether that is through new bike schemes or on-demand buses following flexible routes. Any shake-up to the planning system should also ensure that bike share schemes, car clubs and other similar initiatives are put front and centre.”

Here are a few key excerpts from the King’s Speech touching on those points:

“My Government believes that greater devolution of decision making is at the heart of a modern dynamic economy and is a key driver of economic growth and my Ministers will introduce an English Devolution Bill [English Devolution Bill]. Legislation will be introduced to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities. This will support local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities.

“A Bill will be introduced to allow local leaders to take control of their local bus services [Better Buses Bill]. My Ministers will bring forward legislation to improve the railways by reforming rail franchising, establishing Great British Railways and bringing train 8 operators into public ownership [Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, Rail Reform Bill].

“My Government will establish Skills England which will have a new partnership with employers at its heart [Skills England Bill], and my Ministers will reform the apprenticeship levy.

“My Government will strengthen its work with the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland so that the best outcomes possible are delivered for citizens across the United Kingdom. My Ministers will establish a new Council of the Nations and Regions to renew opportunities for the Prime Minister, heads of devolved governments and mayors of combined authorities to collaborate with each other.”