The Development of Strategic Transport Assets in Greater Manchester and Merseyside: Does Local Governance Matter?

Abstract

This article investigates the contribution of local policy interventions to the development of the two key transport 'gateways' in North West England - Manchester Airport and the Port of Liverpool - and maximization of their wider impact. Their recent success has mainly stemmed from market opportunities, managerial competence, bargaining strength and sympathetic national rather than local interventions. However, local institutional conflict delayed modernization of the port of Liverpool. Local governance has had greater bearing upon such assets' wider economic, social and environmental impact. Synergies between transport investment, economic development and tourism have been better exploited in the case of Manchester Airport and the drawbacks of expansion more effectively mitigated. Both case studies highlight the need for central government transport policy to mesh better with local, regional and national urban regeneration policies.