Commenting on his appointment, Garrett Emmerson said:
“I am delighted to be taking this important position working on behalf of this major growth area and particularly at such an exciting time with the recent announcements on CSR07 and more particularly in terms of transport the publication last month of Towards a Sustainable Transport System, which includes the government’s response to the Eddington and Stern reports and outlines the vital role of transport in supporting sustainable economic growth”.
The Board was set up in June 2007. Membership consists of the Leader or portfolio holder for each transport/principal authority and Board level representation from the Regional Development Agencies, English Partnerships, and the Local Delivery Vehicles. It also includes senior officials from the Regional Assemblies, the Highways Agency, Network Rail, Department for Transport and the Government Offices.
Commenting on the decision Councillor Jim Harker, Leader of Northamptonshire County Council (who hosted the inaugural meeting) said:
“The communities of Milton Keynes and South Midlands face some huge challenges in the coming years in attempting to accommodate the growth planned for the sub-region. None of these are bigger than the provision of adequate transport infrastructure and sustainable transport networks.
“I am delighted that all of the major delivery bodies have now come together to form a joint Strategic Transport Board, which will be of immense help in developing and delivering the strategic inter-urban transport networks needed to support housing growth and economic development.”
The Board’s remit includes preparing, and keeping under review, a robust Business Plan for strategic transport which identifies the strategic investment priorities for MKSM and growth. It will also performance and risk manage the delivery of the strategic transport priorities. This will be done by promoting, facilitating and encouraging effective joint working on strategic and inter-regional matters, including possibly via an MAA or similar performance framework. It will also lobby on matters of joint interest for MKSM.
The move to greater sub-regional working for MKSM is seen as wholly consistent with the findings of the Eddington Report which highlighted the need for stronger sub-regional transport governance and delivery structures to ensure that transport contributes effectively to growth, economic development and regeneration.
