Merseytravel transport chief, Councillor Mark Dowd, is to seek a meeting with the newly appointed transport minister Justine Greening MP.
Councillor Dowd, who leads the Integrated Transport Authorities Special Interest Group for the Local Government Association (ITA SIG) wants to push the case for high speed rail and increased investment in the ITA metropolitan areas.
The ITA SIG is regarded as one of the most influential public transport groups, bringing together all six Integrated Transport Authorities (ITAs) in England.
Between them the ITAs have a combined budget of over £700 million a year and serve more than 11 million people using public transport.
Councillor Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, said:
“It is a great honour to lead the ITA SIG, especially at such a critical time in the struggle for economic recovery, and I will make it a priority to meet with the new Secretary of State for Transport.
“I am writing to her immediately to express my support for HS2 which I believe can bring enormous benefits to the vast majority of people who live outside the south east.
“In the current climate it is even more important that we continue to invest in a first class public transport system which is vital to our economic recovery.”
Bootle Councillor Mark Dowd has worked in transport since 1960 and been a member of Sefton Council for 29 years.
Councillor Dowd became a member of Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority at its inception in 1986. He was elected as Vice-Chairman in 1987 and Chair in 1992.
Merseytravel’s Passenger Transport Authority is made up of 18 councillors from the five districts of Merseyside.
