When and where were you promised a "local league"?
All the FA ever said was that there would be four divisions instead of three at Step 3.
There's obviously still plenty of water to flow under the bridge in the next couple of months but for now let's assume the line-up posted above. I reckon the clubs we might all agree are "local" would be...
Alvechurch
Banbury United
Barwell
Chasetown
Coalville Town
Halesowen Town
Hednesford Town
Redditch United
Rushall Olympic
Stafford Rangers
Stourbr*dge
Stratford Town
That's 12.
There are a few others that *could* fall under the general description of "Midlands" - Kettering, Rushden & Diamonds, possibly St Neots. So let's be generous and call it 15.
Anybody want to suggest who the other seven should be to make it up to 22?
(And of course, Alvechurch and Chasetown might not come up, Hednesford or Barwell might be promoted, as might Kettering, or even Banbury)
The FA will be dealt a hand of 88 clubs. It's already been decided how those 88 will be arrived at. Dividing them up is actually quite simple... to a point. The remotest parts of the country - in terms of numbers of clubs - are the far North and the far South West, so they start with the 22 furthest North, who will go into the NPL, and then the 22 closest to Cornwall, who will go into the Southern League. Then all they have to do is come to the most sensible way of splitting the other 44, and the way they propose is almost certainly the best way for the greatest number of clubs.
As for still having long journeys, what do you expect? The country bis quite big, and there will still only be four divisions to cover it. The restructure means that Whitby will no longer be travelling to us, Kings Lynn will no longer be travelling to Tiverton (and theoretically Truro at some stage), and Lowestoft will no longer be travelling to Worthing (181 miles via the M25). Over all the average distances / travel times for most clubs will reduce but there will still be a few long trips.
Lower standard of football due to more promoted teams from Step 4? Not quite sure that holds water - Lancaster, Shaw lane, Farsley and Witton seem to be doing their bit this season to uphold standards in the Division.