Overview

This Local Transport Bill makes various amendments to existing transport legislation, primarily focusing on improving the processes for making, varying, and continuing quality contracts schemes for local transport services in England and Wales. It also clarifies the roles of traffic commissioners and introduces new appeal mechanisms.

Description

Quality Contracts Schemes:

The bill significantly alters the procedures for establishing, modifying, and extending "quality contracts schemes," which govern the provision of local transport services. It introduces a Quality Contracts Scheme (QCS) board to assess proposed schemes and makes changes to consultation and approval processes, particularly differentiating between England and Wales.

Traffic Commissioners' Roles:

The bill enhances the role of senior traffic commissioners, giving them more discretion in various decisions. The Secretary of State can also provide guidance to the senior traffic commissioner.

Appeals and Consultations:

The bill creates new rights of appeal against decisions relating to quality contracts schemes, particularly focusing on appeals to the Transport Tribunal and clarifying grounds for appeal. The consultation requirements for local transport plans are also enhanced.

Other Amendments:

The bill also includes amendments to other Acts, including the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (clarifying "street works"), the Traffic Management Act 2004 (extending the definition of "local authority" in civil enforcement), and the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (relating to financial penalty deposits in Scotland).

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify increases or decreases in government spending. However, the introduction of adjudicators and assessors (Clause 18), and the potential for increased administrative costs associated with the new QCS board and appeal processes, might lead to some additional expenditure. Precise figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Local Transport Authorities: Will face altered procedures for managing quality contracts schemes, requiring increased administrative tasks and consultation efforts.
• Public Transport Operators: Will be subject to the new quality contract scheme procedures and may see changes in contracting processes.
• Public Transport Users: May experience improved services due to streamlined processes for establishing quality contracts, but the impact is uncertain.
• Traffic Commissioners: Their roles and responsibilities will be expanded and clarified by the bill.
• Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers: Have increased powers of guidance and approval regarding local transport schemes.
• Transport Tribunal: Will handle the new appeal mechanisms concerning quality contracts schemes, possibly leading to a higher workload.

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