Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Norman Baker

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

T10. Stafford road and Stanhope way in my constituency are in a state of chaos owing to unco-ordinated bus services using narrow residential roads. What plans does the Minister have to look at the strategic co-ordination of bus services outside London?

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Norman Baker)]

We think that these decisions are best made locally. It is therefore a matter for the relevant local authorities to engage with the main bus operators to drive that forward. We have incentivised partnership working through the creation of Better Bus Areas. That is putting £70 million more into the bus network, so there is a financial incentive for local authorities and bus companies to work together. If they are not doing so, I suggest the hon. Lady contact both of them in her area.