Lib Dem reps on the LGA Economy and Transport Board are lobbying for the following:
- Calling for local authorities to have the right to require utility companies to deposit bonds with them so local councils can reinstate substandard road repairs after utility works instead of councils having to inspect each one and negotiate individually with the utility company. This puts the onus on the utility companies to do their repairs properly before faults and problems have to be rectified.
- Call on Government to help fund (once off) Smartcards on all buses to provide more accurate data on journey numbers, times and locations. This should reduce bus company reimbursements for concessionary fares. Some smaller bus companies (rural and tendered services in many urban areas) cannot afford the capital cost.
- Foreign Lorry mileage charges: they currently pay no road tax and little fuel duty as most fill up in mainland Europe where diesel is cheaper. Yet they cause a lot of damage to our road surfaces. A new charge (measured on entry and exit from UK) will be welcomed by UK car drivers, road haulage companies and bus companies.
The Local Government Association has been charged with pursuing these points with the government as a result of Lib Dem pressure