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“Better local transport systems, integrated with devolved services, provides an opportunity for a place-based, user-centred approach to support economic inclusion and people’s everyday lives."

The LGA says the current, fragmented funding system for running bus services should be simplified, to help local transport authorities better meet local needs and ensure more people get back on board.

“Limited resources and a £16.3 billion local roads repair backlog means councils have had to prioritise road repairs according to local circumstances."

“Councils share the Government’s ambition to increase cycling and walking rates and echo the Committee’s call for councils to have greater certainty around funding to reduce carbon and other harmful emissions from transport."

It is councils - who know their communities best - that should be trusted to make local transport decisions not Whitehall.

By providing councils with new franchising powers they would be able to keep fares down, increase the number of local bus routes and make buses more attractive for everyone to use.

Spending on local road repairs in the UK has been reduced by more than nearly all other OECD countries in almost two decades, new Local Government Association analysis reveals today.

“Councils are on the side of all road users and residents, and are working hard to tackle congestion, make our air cleaner and improve the quality of life in their communities.  We want to work with government to achieve this."

Councils have said the way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall is unfit for purpose and prevents councils from investing in more reliable bus services.

Ensuring local services are as accessible as possible to everyone in their communities is important to councils