First reading for bus committees Bill
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• A Bill to allow the establishment of further transport users' consultative bodies in Greater London (CM January 15) was given a first reading in the Commons last week.
It was introduced by Mr Nigel Spearing (Labour, Acton) who said that under the present system it was difficult for London boroughs to get into realistic touch with London Transport on matters where there was a dispute. It was equally difficult, if not more so, for the travelling public, and there was a great deal of disquiet in this respect.
The, purpose of his Bill was to give the GLC additional optional powers to create further consultative committees either for specific purposes or to cover specific areas. Provision would be made for the London boroughs to provide office accommodation and facilities, payment for officials concerned witt the committees and for their members to be eligible for the usual local government allowances.
Provision would also be made for areas adjacent to Greater London served by the London Transport Executive to be brought into this new framework.
The Bill drew together many of the challenges faced in democratic government today, claimed Mr Spearing. Healthy urban living required efficient and inexpensive public transport, and the Bill would assist in providing it. A public enterprise giving personal service should have a management particularly sensitive to the needs of its customers. The Bill, by permitting a more flexible system of consultative bodies, would maintain "the public need" as a major factor in management decisions, he said.
These new bodies would be channels of two-way consultation. Town planning and traffic management matters could be discussed, and wise decisions on planning and traffic matters required full and relevant information. Where there was a public official responsible for public transport, added Mr Spearing, public transport planning could become an integral part of the planning from the start.