James Whartons justification for the exclusion of Tees Valley representation from the newly launched Transport for the North Board being due to the absence of a Tees Valley Combined Authority simply doesnt hold water. He ought to be aware Tees Valley is already properly recognised within the governance arrangements for Rail North. (Rail North being the representative body of northern local authorities responsible for working with the Department for Transport to settle the specification for the Northern and TransPennine rail franchises). Our sub-region’s local authorities work perfectly well together in that context. There is no reason whatsoever, therefore, why current civic leaders such as Cllr Bill Dixon Leader of Darlington Council, Cllr Bob Cook, leader of Stockton who was at the meeting yesterday and Cllr Dave Budd Deputy Mayor of Middlesbrough, who all have the confidence and authority of all Tees Valley strategic partners, cannot represent the interests of the Tees Valley in respect of Transport for the North as they have done so ably in other transport discussions. Its a great pity that Mr Wharton cannot bring himself to stand up for our sub-region so that it has a voice in the strategic transport plans that will affect us all so massively. Instead he prefers to find some obscure rationale for trying to get his dreadful and detached Government off the hook. I am sure the people of Stockton South will be taking note of where his priorities lie.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 21:51:28 +0000
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