A major overhaul of how Lancashire’s local transport system operates has been designed to be invisible to the travelling public, one of the leading figures involved in the shake-up has said.

Lancashire County Council’s director of highways and transport, Matt Townsend, told a meeting of the Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) that the aim was to ensure existing “expertise” was not lost during the forthcoming changes – and that there was a smooth transition to the new arrangements that will come into force from April.

It is at that point that the LCCA – the body responsible for implementing Lancashire’s devolution deal – will receive a raft of new powers when it becomes the sole local transport authority for the county.

In doing so, it will take on a role that has previously been split three ways – between the county council and the local authorities covering Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.

Transport responsibilities in Lancashire are changing - but the public shouldn't be able to tell | LCC

placeholder image — Transport responsibilities in Lancashire are changing - but the public shouldn't be able to tell | LCC

The change is a key element of the Lancashire devolution programme and will see the LCCA take on responsibilities including those for publicly-subsidised bus services, bus ticketing schemes, transport information, concessionary travel and active travel schemes to boost walking and cycling.

The organisation is already overseeing the creation of the first county-wide local transport plan, a draft version of which was recently consulted upon.

However, at a gathering of the LCCA shortly before Christmas, its members – the leader and deputy leader of the county council and the leaders of Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen councils – agreed that many of the powers would continue to be delivered by their trio of authorities for the next year.

Matt Townsend said the so-called ’commissioning and assurance model’ would reduce “the risk of disruption” and ensure “continuity” for travellers.

“[We are] making sure we get everything ready for April so that there’s a controlled handover and that the people of Lancashire don’t see a change – that’s what we’re aiming [for].

“This is about seamless transition – people shouldn’t know that this has happened,” Mr. Townsend explained.

The new set-up will see the individual councils formally contracted by the LCCA to deliver chosen transport powers and functions on its behalf – while the LCCA itself will set the strategic direction of any policies.

However, under the devolution deal, the LCCA will also acquire powers over and above those transferred from the existing council-based local transport authorities These include the option of implementing workplace parking levies – in order to influence travel behaviour and reduce congestion around key employment areas – as well as managing permit schemes for roadworks, to ensure better co-ordination of projects and limit the impact of disruption.

The meeting heard that the commissioning arrangement left the door open to moving an LCCA-led delivery model in future years.

Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson said that the option “de-risk[s]” the changes to be implemented in the spring, while Blackburn with Darwen leader Phil Riley said it was the “sensible” route to take.