Response to the Devolution announcement
Will Quince, Chair of Transport East, has responded to the Deputy Prime Minister’s announcement:
“The East has been added to the Devolution Priority List. The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced six new devolution areas which she hoped would get to elect new mayors in May 2026, including Greater Essex and, Norfolk and Suffolk. This means planned elections this year will be postponed.
“We congratulate our partner authorities for their success in securing a place in the next phase of devolution.
“We have seen how devolution deals in other areas of the country have offered the chance to transform transport provision to better align with wider economic, social and environmental priorities; providing better value for government and delivering better outcomes for communities.
“Transport East is ready to support the region in preparing for devolution, working with our local authorities as a partner in the process to ensure our work, insight and evidence on strategic transport connections across the East continues to be of value. We also will keep making the case for increased investment in our transport networks through this transition and help the East get the best deal from Rail and Bus Reform, nationalisation of railways, and the Integrated National Transport Strategy taking place this year.”