The role of reporting mechanisms in transport policy implementation by local authorities in England

Tom Rye,Jason Monios,Clare McTigue

doi:10.1016/j.cstp.2017.12.002

Tom Rye, Jason Monios + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2017.12.002

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Abstract

The UK Transport Act 2000 made a number of reforms, requiring all local transport authorities in England, outside of London, to produce a local transport plan (LTP). A separate annual delivery report was also required to show how the LTP was progressing, however this system of close monitoring was abandoned in 2008. This paper analyses and compares the LTP 2001–2006 and the LTP Delivery Report for three UK cities in order to obtain an insight into the importance of reporting in the implementation of local transport policy. Analysis of why some policies were not implemented successfully is based on the application of a new hybrid theory of policy implementation combining top-down and bottom-up perspectives. Findings reveal that the reporting process in the three case cities misses some key information which limits the ability of local authorities to monitor their policy implementation. Moreover, applying the hybrid theory reveals that even in cases of good reporting, some important elements needed to evaluate the implementation of transport policy are lacking. The paper provides recommendations for effective implementation and better decision making that will aid local authority staff.

Highlights

Transport policies are developed to manage the social, environmental and economic impacts caused by transportation activity
This paper provides an insight into the implementation of local transport policy for three English cities – York, Bristol and Greater Nottingham
A new hybrid theory consisting of ten critical variables was developed and used to analyse the bus strategy for the three cities based on what was planned (LTPs) and what was delivered

Summary

Introduction

Transport policies are developed to manage the social, environmental and economic impacts caused by transportation activity. It presents a literature review of previous case study research on transport policy implementation, followed by a summary of UK local transport plans (LTPs) and the related reporting mechanisms. The first part gives a summary of top-down and bottom-up theoretical approaches and the second part identifies the critical variables of the theoretical approaches in order to develop a new hybrid theory This is followed by an explanation of the methodology which is based on three case studies of the English cities of York, Greater Nottingham and Bristol, investigating the LTP 2001-2006 and the LTP Delivery Report for each city, specific to bus strategies. A summary of research findings is presented, followed by some concluding remarks and recommendations for policy makers and local authority staff

Case study research on transport policy implementation

Local Transport Plans in England

Overview of approaches

Top-down and bottom-up approaches

Policy standards and objectives

Policy resources

Characteristics of implementing

Disposition of implementers

Policy may change during

Analysis of theoretical approaches to develop a new hybrid theory

Methodology

Introduction of high