Look ahead to 2021: a year of implementation
February 2021 will be a major milestone for England's Economic Heartland when we publish the final version of the Transport Strategy. But already our focus is on how we implement the Strategy and ensure that we secure the investment that our partners need to deliver on the ground.
We'll do this by building on the tremendous amount of work that's been completed in 2020. Our programme for the year ahead …
EEH statement on Spending Review 2020
Mayor Dave Hodgson, Chair of EEH's Strategic Transport Forum, provides England's Economic Heartland's response to the Spending Review and related announcements, which took place on November 25, 2020.
Confirmation of the funding to deliver the 'Bicester-Bletchley' section of East West Rail is pleasing - a reflection of the national significance of the project as set out in the National Infrastructure Strategy. However, we are still waiting on confirmation of the …
MARTIN TUGWELL BLOG: Regional funding allocation would help ensure transport strategy is delivered
England's Economic Heartland should commit to going 'harder and faster' on reaching net zero emissions from transport before the nationwide legal requirement of 2050.
That is the message from EEH's recent consultation on the draft Transport Strategy, with residents and organisations calling for an even more ambitious path to decarbonisation, particularly given the region's renowned expertise in green technology innovation.
At their meeting on Friday, elected members of EEH's Strategic …
‘Go harder and faster on decarbonisation’, consultation tells England’s Economic Heartland
England's Economic Heartland should commit to going 'harder and faster' on reaching net zero emissions from transport before the nationwide legal requirement of 2050.
That is the message from EEH's recent consultation on the draft Transport Strategy, with residents and organisations calling for an even more ambitious path to decarbonisation, particularly given the region's renowned expertise in green technology innovation.
At their meeting on Friday, elected members of EEH's Strategic …
“Give local authorities the powers to improve safety and cut congestion”
England's Economic Heartland is to make the case to Government for local transport authorities in the region to be given powers to better manage traffic and HGV movements, in order to improve safety and reduce congestion.
The powers relate to Part Six of the Traffic Management Act, which to date have only been activated in London. Enacting them for the local authorities within the Heartland region – stretching from Swindon …
BLOG: With freight, we must not miss the good by waiting on the perfect
Whilst there remains uncertainty regarding how the country will emerge after COVID-19, one thing we can rely on is the country's need to produce, trade and supply goods.
The majority of freight is currently carried on our roads.
Some of these lorry movements will be generated exogenously by the UK's reliance on an import based supply chain and growth in deep sea ports but most will consist of inbound freight …
Virtual annual conference 2020
EH's virtual annual conference took place on September 15, attended by more than 320 people.
You can find a recording of the conference below.
Theme 1: Introduction and scene setting
Ministerial address: Baroness Vere, Roads Minister, Department for Transport
Mayor Dave Hodgson, elected Mayor of Bedford and Chair of EEH's Strategic Transport Forum offers an update on EEH's draft Transport Strategy
A political perspective from Greg Smith, …
BLOG: Understanding the Heartland's people
There is no doubt, the way we are using public and shared transport has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, this country cannot, and will not, achieve our legal commitments to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without a fully functioning, effective public and sustainable transport network. And it is upon all of us: users, operators, transport planners, policy makers and funders to support that, creating …
BLOG: Putting the social into sustainability
Social sustainability is possibly the least defined element within the sustainability debate, or at the very least often attracts a smaller amount of attention.
People's minds often automatically go to the environment, an undoubtedly important element of sustainability which is underpinned by environmental legislation and guidance. But what about the 'social' pillar?
The classic three pillar diagram of sustainable development shows that we need all three elements to achieve the …
BLOG: "Maybe the region’s next transformational rail project begins here…"
No sooner is the ink dry on EEH’s first phase of its Rail Study and it’s already ‘all aboard’ for Phase 2.
This project is concerned with the economics of the Heartland’s railway, in other words, if we crank up the rail offering where do we get our greatest ‘bang for our buck’?
The Phase 1 study shone the spotlight on parts of the region where journeys by rail are …
