Part 5Integrated Transport Authorities etc

Chapter 2Arrangements relating to Integrated Transport Authorities

Establishment of new ITA by order

I1I278Power to establish a new ITA

1

The Secretary of State may by order—

a

designate any area in England outside Greater London as an integrated transport area, and

b

establish an ITA for the integrated transport area.

2

An order may be made only if the Secretary of State, having had regard to a scheme prepared and published under section 80 or 81, considers that the establishment of the ITA is likely to improve—

a

the exercise of statutory functions relating to transport in the area to be designated, and

b

the effectiveness and efficiency of transport within that area.

3

The requirement in subsection (2) to have regard to a scheme does not apply in relation to any area if a direction has been given under section 81 in relation to the area and any period specified in the direction for the preparation and publication of a scheme has expired.

4

An integrated transport area may be designated by an order only if it consists of the whole of two or more counties or districts.

5

A local government area may be included in an integrated transport area designated by an order only if—

a

it was included in the scheme prepared and published under section 80 or 81 (as the case may be), or

b

in the circumstances described in subsection (3), it is the area of an authority to whom the direction under section 81 was given.

6

No part of an integrated transport area established under this section may be separated from the rest of it by a territory which is part of another local government area but which is not included in the integrated transport area.

7

Before making an order the Secretary of State must consult—

a

such representatives of the appropriate authorities, and

b

such other persons (if any),

as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

8

In subsection (7) the appropriate authorities are—

a

if the area to be designated as an integrated transport area includes a county, the county council;

b

if that area includes a district, the district council and the council of the county (if any) in which the district lies.

9

In making an order the Secretary of State must have regard to the need—

a

to reflect the identities and interests of local communities, and

b

to secure effective and convenient local government.