Multi-level policy making in transport: the problems for border regions

Transport policy is formulated and implemented at different levels in the EU. In practice it is not easy to separate the spatial dimensions of decisions, with serious implications for project appraisal and consistency. This problem is seen in border regions where the balance between local, regional, inter-regional and international traffic is critical. This paper examines these issues in North-West Europe which has many borders and much transit traffic. The paper draws on theories of multi-level governance, models of transport infrastructure appraisal and regional impact modelling and proposes improvements to appraisal process which could lead to greater consistency in policy.