Liverpool Combined Authority looks at transport plans

The second meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is set to go ahead this Friday, with discussion focused on long-term transport plans for the region.

At the meeting on Friday 13 June, members will be discussing three key transport projects, including a draft long-term rail strategy to improve links within the city region over the next 30 years. A set of 12 rail packages hve been identified by Merseytravel including enhancements to the Wrexham-Bidston line and development of the Halton Curve to connect the Liverpool city region with Cheshire and North Wales.

The CA will look at plans for rail devolution that will allow for more local control and influence over rail services that operate to and from Lime Street across the north to get a better deal for passengers. The meeting will also continue discussions around how the region can maximise benefits from HS2.

Alongside the transport update, members will also discuss opportunities around freight and logistics, progress in building houses and measures to tackle youth unemployment.

The first meeting of the Liverpool Combined Authority on 1 April ended in dispute, with Liverpool City Council leader, Mayor Joe Anderson seeking legal advice.

The row erupted with Anderson threatening to withdraw from the combined authority after the leadership vote was allegedly held in secret without his presence to ensure he was not elected chairman of the super-authority.

The combined authority is made up of leaders from the six councils of Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, Sefton, Halton and St Helens, in addition to representatives from the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Cllr Phil Davies, chairman of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said: "Through the creation of the Combined Authority, we are bringing together new ways of working that better benefit businesses and residents in our city region. This is the Combined Authority getting down to business and focussing on those strategic projects that will bring widespread economic benefit to the whole Liverpool city region.

"Good transport infrastructure and services are key to economic growth and regeneration. They are a way of strengthening not only our city region but the whole of the north. Rebalancing economies in the north and south will ultimately benefit Britain."

The second meeting of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority takes place at No 1 Mann Island, Liverpool on Friday 13 June at 11am. The agenda and papers can be found on www.knowsley.gov.uk.