He has announced his intention to launch a consultation on "how the Government can put in place a structure to fully devolve decisions and funding for local capital transport improvements" from April 2015 to a number of what he called "local transport consortia."

These will be made up of a number of LEPs and their constituent local authorities. The consultation will invite thoughts on the role, structure, optimum size, configuration, governance and accountability arrangements that would be most appropriate to deliver value for money, while achieving genuine local ownership of the prioritisation and delivery of sub-national transport projects.

The Government is proposing that all Local Enterprise Partnerships are closely involved with the decision-making of local transport consortia and provide advice on what transport investment would best align with growth priorities.

The Department is now calling for LEPs to get involved in early local conversations about the formation of local transport consortia, and consider what roles and responsibilities they will take on in respect of strategic transport decision-making and delivery post 2014-15. The department for Business Innovation & Skills [BIS] local engagement hub teams are willing to help facilitate further conversations.