Councils call for control of rail franchises
Councils in the West Midlands have asked the Government to give them control of rail services - including the ability to set fares.
Fourteen authorities have set up a consortium - West Midlands Rail - which they want to be the public body responsible for train services once rail company London Midland's franchise ends in 2017
The councils met at Stafford's County Buildings to sign a proposition that is now being sent to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin. They also say it will help them get the most out of the controversial £50 billion high speed rail line HS2.
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The authorities believe devolving powers from central Government to the West Midlands would create a better railway for passengers and bring more jobs.
The councils say having more responsibility for the franchise to run services through the West Midlands would help them lay down minimum standards of service, including punctuality and reliability and hold the train operator to account.
They would also be able to set fares, manage stations and have a say on security and car parking.
The company also ranked seventh in the country for cancellations, scrapping 14,368 throughout the whole 2013/14.
And it has come under fire for reducing opening hours at ticket offices.
The councils involved are Wolverhampton, Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall, Staffordshire, Birmingham, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire, Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Northamptonshire.
The submission follows an approach last year by the Department for Transport which asked English regions for their thoughts on taking over the commissioning and management of local rail services.
Councillor Roger Lawrence, leader of Wolverhampton City Council and chairman of West Midlands Rail (WMR), said: "The submission of this proposition is a major step towards securing local management and ultimately delivering better rail services focussed on the real needs of West Midlands passengers.
"The local rail network has a key role to play in supporting the region's economy and holding more responsibility here in the West Midlands will help make sure that new investment is best targeted to create growth and jobs.
"It would also help ensure the local rail network fully connects and feeds into the forthcoming high speed rail line, thereby maximising the significant economic benefits offered by HS2."
Councillor Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for economy, environment and transport and vice chairman of WMR, added: "We believe that a local partnership better understands what local people and the economy needs from its railway.
"Local responsibility would be good for passengers and good for business, enabling people to reach the shopping, commercial and tourist centres in our towns and cities. We believe it would be more accountable and responsive and better value for taxpayers."
Only two areas of the UK presently have locally managed rail networks - Merseyside and London.
