Olympic transport boss to oversee bus franchising

Leon Daniels will chair an independent group to oversee bus franchising in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

The man who oversaw transport infrastructure during the London 2012 Olympics will direct the implementation of bus franchising across a county.

Leon Daniels will be the independent chair of the group that will bring bus services under public control in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Bus franchising plans were signed off earlier this year by Nik Johnson, the former mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and the first publicly-run routes could begin in late 2027.

Paul Bristow, the current mayor, has also appointed Peter Cushing as a light rail commissioner, after he pledged to explore introducing a franchising system in the area during his election campaign.

Leon Daniels oversaw transport plans for London 2012 and was given an OBE for Services to Transport

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) described Mr Daniels as "one of the UK's foremost public transport leaders, with a distinguished record".

Mr Daniels was managing director of surface transport at Transport for London and had responsibility over £3.5bn of road, light rail and transport services and all major, civil engineering infrastructure projects in the capital.

The CPCA said his expertise would support the authority find the best way to put franchising in place.

Mr Daniels would oversee the review process on behalf of the mayor and engage with the local bus operators, it added.

"The combined authority has an ambitious agenda to transform bus transport to support growth and a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone," Mr Daniels said.

"I'm very pleased to lend my experience in helping to assess how best that can be achieved."

Mr Cushing will advise on a potential light rail transport system in Greater Cambridge

Peter Cushing will be taking on the role of light rail commissioner after 25 years of experience working on light rail projects, most recently in Manchester and the Midlands.

Mr Cushing will advise the mayor on aspects of assessing, planning and potentially delivering a light rail network for Cambridgeshire, the CPCA said.

"I'm excited to be supporting the mayor and combined authority at such a pivotal time for the region and the country," he said.

"A long-term, multi-modal, transport solution for Greater Cambridge to match the ambition for economic growth is now urgently needed," Mr Cushing added.

Bristow has welcomed the appointments and said: "Peter and Leon bring exceptional expertise and a cast iron track record of delivery.

"I want this region to be the country's fastest growing local economy. To do that, we need to show ambition. I'm serious about delivering light rail and bringing in a bus franchising system that is affordable and works for passengers.

"These appointments will help us get there."

The CPCA also announced that former Peterborough City Council leader, Wayne Fitzgerald, has been appointed a planning commissioner, which would initially focus on the regeneration of Peterborough city centre.