Cumbria County Council will push ahead with plans to give the North of England new powers over transport.

The devolution proposals would see local authorities integrate transport policy through an existing but greatly expanded body, Transport for the North (TfN).

The deal is similar to arrangements in London and Scotland and would give the north a bigger say over highways and public transport.

Final details and legislation are still being drafted, but it is expected the council will be asked to sign up.

One of the most eye-catching changes could be the introduction of an ‘Oyster card for the North’, which Cumbria County Council’s transport secretary, Keith Little, said was “inevitable” within seven years.

He added another proposal to give TfN control over rail franchise competitions was likely within five years.

But Mr Little urged caution over an even more radical proposal which would see local authorities set up an arm’s-length body to bid for rail franchises.

He said: “If you get it wrong you are left with huge liabilities. It will be a decade until local authorities want to take on those responsibilities.”

A key sticking point in negotiations with the government is likely to revolve around how much extra funding is provided to TfN for investment.

Mr Little said: “Government have said funding will follow and we have been given assurances. No local authority is going to sign up without extra funding.”

The plans are closely associated with the government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda. Mr Little said he was confident that the ambitious devolution project would not grind to a halt following the political demise of its chief architect, George Osborne.

Mr Little accepted an agreement on broader local government devolution is still “pretty far away” but insisted that would not affect this transport deal.

John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle, expressed support for the decision but urged councillors to go further.

He said: “I have always been a supporter of devolution.

“If the country is going to re-balance the economy we need infrastructure support.

“What I find frustrating is the lack of ambition from the county council and the district councils in agreeing to a devolution deal which would give further opportunities.”

Concerns have been raised over a proposed voting system for TfN which would afford more votes to areas with larger populations, potentially marginalising Cumbria.

Under the proposals Cumbria would get 3 votes whereas Greater Manchester would be awarded 13 or 14 votes.

Mr Little said that an existing bloc-vote arrangement with Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Council and Blackpool Council would offset this disadvantage.

A Cumbria County council spokesperson said:

“There is still a significant amount of detail that needs to be worked through, including the detailed operational arrangements and voting system which, as currently proposed, could disadvantage Cumbria when compared to large urban areas in the north.

“In the autumn the council’s Cabinet expects to consider the draft legislation from Government, at that time they will make a final decision about the Council’s future involvement in TfN.”