Oct 26 2006
Liverpool Echo
MERSEYTRAVEL is to be scrapped under a big shake-up of local government.
Ministers are also willing to resurrect the failed Merseytram scheme to Liverpool city centre, provided council leaders can produce a viable proposal.
Under a plan being unveiled at Westminster today by communities secretary Ruth Kelly, Merseyside councils will take responsibility for transport, policing, economic regeneration, highways, skills, health and job creation.
All were previously under overall government control.
The enhanced responsibilities means Merseyside councils will get their hands on "many billions of pounds" to spend on public services.
Merseytravel's demise would potentially gift control of the region's public transport network to local authorities.
Local government minister Phil Woolas said: "This is no reflection on Merseytravel, which has done an excellent job. It is all about handing more control over transport and other important matters to the city-regions."
Last year, the government pulled the plug on Merseytram after claiming costs had spiralled to £315m, far more than originally planned. It followed months of tortuous discussions between Merseytravel and Merseyside's five councils, three of which - Sefton, Wirral and St Helens - pulled out.
But Mr Woolas said it could return, "provided the five local authorities involved can come up with funding alternatives".
Regions will be given more control over the Benefits Agency, which will be told to give urgent priority to job creation schemes.
Merseyside police's Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe and local NHS and education bosses will also be directly accountable to councils, Ms Kelly was due to announce today .
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