Transport Report 1996 - Chapter 6 6. The Secretary of State is responsible for general policy on local transport in England.
Local authorities are responsible for detailed transport planning at a local level.
The Department provides funding to English local authorities for investment in roads and public transport facilities, and to English, Welsh and Scottish local authorities for ports and airports investment. The Secretary of State is also responsible for policy on buses, taxis, trams and trolley buses and for the administration of the fuel duty rebate scheme for local buses. He has responsibility also for the Rural Transport Development Fund, which provides grants for transport services in rural areas, and which is administered by the Rural Development Commission. The Department does not incur any direct expenditure on the provision of bus and taxi services. The central government support covers maintenance of local roads, bus support, concessionary fares, and support for rail services in metropolitan areas.