Can Rail benefit from the ‘Localism’ agenda?

There is a strong movement towards giving more control at a local level, and the way rail services are specified and managed could be a beneficiary

Dr. Paul Salveson played a leading role in the formation in the late 1990s of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP). In 2005, he joined Northern Rail as head of government and community strategies and in 2008 he was awarded an MBE for his services to the rail industry. He has since worked at Grand Central as external relations manager, and is now an independent advisor.

Dr. Paul Salveson played a leading role in the formation in the late 1990s of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP). In 2005, he joined Northern Rail as head of government and community strategies and in 2008 he was awarded an MBE for his services to the rail industry. He has since worked at Grand Central as external relations manager, and is now an independent advisor.

Regional responsibility: the Merseyrail franchise is under the control of the PTE and in Germany there is also devolution of responsibility to local government

Regional responsibility: the Merseyrail franchise is under the control of the PTE and in Germany there is also devolution of responsibility to local government

The railway system in the north of England has declined since its heyday as still depicted at Manchesters Victoria station, but there is still an extensive network predominantly serving local needs

The railway system in the north of England has declined since its heyday as still depicted at Manchesters Victoria station, but there is still an extensive network predominantly serving local needs

­T­­he concept of ‘localism’ is one that’s set to have an increasing impact on the way transport is planned and managed. In Britain, the agenda is gathering momentum in several Government departments, and the Localism Bill received Royal Assent recently. There’s nothing in there specifically about transport, but that’s not the point. There’s a growing commitment to a culture of ‘localism’ which stretches well beyond the UK Coalition...