AKRAM, HINE, BERRY: Transport governance, structures and policy implementation: A methodological framework TRANSPORT GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURES AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION: A METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

The variety of transport governance models in existence in the UK are the result of devolution and successive local government re-organisations which has had a significant impact on the form and content of regional transport strategies and local transport planning practice. A key policy challenge is the increasing need to manage transport demand and encourage the use of public transport; walking and cycling whilst at the same time reducing levels of car dependency. This paper explores the link between the delivery of transport policy and planning across the UK and the nature of institutional structure stability and change. The paper looks at the existing variety in transport governance structures; their roles for translating regional/local policy themes into practice and their orientation towards integrated transport decisions during the policy implementation process. The literature indicates that the problem with policy implementation is that it is not an activity that can be planned and organised in a systematic way, rather it is a dynamic process that can be managed as the result of events and lessons learnt. The paper also explores how governance and institutional structure development can be informed by policy implementation theory; which can itself be used to help explain the range of policy implementation responses to real world practice based challenges (including capacity, administration, management, finances, and public acceptance). The paper concludes with an evaluation of the current working and policy implementation practice in the UK and presents a methodological research framework to investigate further the different dimensions associated with transport policy implementation.