Member

Amendments 115A and 115B on key route networks were also tabled by the noble Lord. The powers in the Bill are based on the principle of devolution—that is, that it should be for places to consider what is right for them and be able to take action to deliver that. That extends to key route networks. Many combined authorities and combined county authorities have already designated a key route network, and those reflect the priorities of these places. Some have networks that are only on A and B category roads; others have chosen to have more comprehensive networks that take in other road categories. For example, the Liverpool city region key route network has 56 kilometres of unclassified roads among its 801 kilometres. There can and should be locally specific reasons for this—for example, many unclassified roads may have very high bus use or might be a link to a locally important employment or development site.