The majority of local people think they should have a voice in the devolution process, but have mixed feelings about what powers should be devolved, survey reveals.
The ComRes survey, commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), found 78% of respondents want the power to vote on which powers are devolved to their areas.
It also showed public attitudes to local decision making on infrastructure are largely positive, with only 26% thinking devolution will make local services less efficient and only 33% wanting it to slow down across England.
The survey, which involved 1700 English adults and marks the start of ICE's State of the Nation: Devolution campaign, also revealed the public has mixed views on which decisions should be devolved.
46% said decisions on new renewable energy facilities should be made locally and 42% wanted central control.
41% said local government should make decisions on fracking, but the same proportion believes these decisions should sit with central government.
35% want local control over new train lines or stations, with 55% wanting decisions to be made centrally. And 23% said local government should decide on new power stations, with 66% wanting central control.
Finally, 19% of the public think decisions on new motorways should be made locally, with 71% saying central government should take the reins.
It also learnt that 52% of respondents believe devolution could help to boost local economies and 64% felt a new fund to boost skills growth would have a positive impact.
Jonathan Spruce, from ICE's State of the Nation: Devolution steering group, said: 'The Government's 'devolution revolution' is speeding up and the commitment is positive -locating powers closer to those it affects carries the potential for greater focus, investment and better decision making.
'However to get the most out of devolution, we need a better understanding on how and where it can work most effectively. We also need a better feel of the needs, ambition and capacity of each area to establish frameworks and assume the greater responsibility.'
