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Geographies of governance in the freight transport sector: The British case

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  • Monios, Jason

Abstract

This paper explores the changing geography of governance in the British freight transport sector. Policy and regulation have evolved in a neoliberal direction based on private sector provision of transport services, resulting in a much smaller role for the public sector. An exploration of the intersection between the previous institutional settings and the unfolding regulatory frameworks across water, rail and road modes of freight transport suggests that the differences in each mode also influence the levers available to address issues as they arise. The economic characteristics of the road haulage sector keep the system responsive to user needs, whereas the lack of a port regulator encourages rent seeking. The rail regulator intervenes in cases of anti-competitive practice but cannot prevent an oligopolistic market structure and relies on ongoing subsidy as road haulage does not pay its full share of external costs. A distinctive British geography of governance is revealed in the different liberalisation pathway it has followed compared to continental European countries. A key conclusion is that governance analysis must include not merely the formal governance arrangements but the ability and willingness to apply suitable instruments to regulate the market to maximize economic welfare.

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  • Monios, Jason, 2019. "Geographies of governance in the freight transport sector: The British case," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 295-308.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:121:y:2019:i:c:p:295-308
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2019.01.020
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