Major Road Network guidance: EEH response
Responding to the Government guidance regarding the Major Road Network, Mayor Dave Hodgson, chair of England's Economic Heartland's Strategic Transport Forum, said: "There is much in this announcement to welcome, including the role that sub-national transport bodies such as England's Economic Heartland will play in setting out regional investment priorities.
"Our work on the MRN investment pipeline is already underway and will be a key part of our draft Transport …
MARTIN TUGWELL BLOG Expressway: Is the approach fit for purpose?
Realising the Heartland's economic potential will need investment in our road network.
But what kind of investment should we be making if we are also looking to achieve environmental net gain?
This question comes into focus when considering the proposed new road linking west of Oxford to Milton Keynes as part of the Oxford to Cambridge expressway. Because whilst there is no dispute about the need for improved east-west connectivity, …
NAOMI GREEN BLOG: Our Transport Strategy must be flexible to avoid going back to the future
In 1985, the film 'Back to the Future' imagined life in 2015. Thirty years later, some predictions turned out to be accurate: automation of services; the use of biometrics; and virtual reality eyewear. However, our skies aren't full of flying cars and the uptake of hoverboards hasn't been quite so widespread.
Clearly, trying to predict the future is filled with challenges. Yet in the world of strategic infrastructure planning, it …
ANTONY SWIFT BLOG: CIHT gets it - diversity key to meeting challenges of deeply uncertain future
Last week I attended the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation's very first Young Professional's Conference in Leeds.
After grappling with Leeds' sub-zero weather conditions on the walk to the conference, (insert joke about being southern here) I was soon thawing from the energy that greeted me in the foyer. The patter and buzz generated by the cohort of younger transport professionals reassured me I was amongst friends and likeminded …
ANTONY SWIFT BLOG: Why freight matters to people
Naively, when I set about authoring Buckinghamshire County Council's Freight Strategy in 2017, I didn't expect the subject of hauling goods around in containers and trailers to resonate with people… how wrong I was.
In total, more than 1,000 people engaged in the development of the strategy. To put this in context, the online survey I setup to collect feedback on the document itself received more responses than the total …
EEH signs ground-breaking MOU with infrastructure giants
Six private sector infrastructure giants have signed a ground-breaking agreement aimed at realising the economic potential in and around the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge growth corridor.
The Memorandum Of Understanding has been signed with England's Economic Heartland (EEH) – an alliance of local transport authorities and LEPs stretching from Swindon across to Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire. It provides the region's voice on strategic infrastructure and services, and is an emerging …
MARTIN TUGWELL BLOG: Giving the private sector the confidence to invest in growth corridor
One year on from the National Infrastructure Commission's final report, what is it that England's Economic Heartland is looking for from this year's Budget?
My time dealing with planning applications in the past has taught me that private sector investors are looking for confidence before making a decision. Time and again the call I've heard is for clarity on the ambition and certainty that planned investment in infrastructure and services …
Major new study will examine freight in growth corridor
The freight and logistics needs of businesses in and around the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge growth corridor will be the focus of a major new study commissioned by England's Economic Heartland.
The study will examine freight's impact on road and rail corridors both now and in the future. Pinch-points which may benefit from investment will be identified along with a range of other considerations.
Its findings, recommending measures to capitalise on short …
Government urged to ‘seize the moment’ at upcoming Budget with funding for growth corridor infrastructure
The Government must 'seize the moment' at the upcoming Budget and demonstrate its commitment the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge growth corridor with hard cash for infrastructure, according to England's Economic Heartland.
Mayor Dave Hodgson, chair of EEH's Strategic Transport Forum, said the region was at a pivotal moment in its history and the Budget is seen as a litmus test for Government's commitment to invest in the transport schemes required to support …
Former BEIS assistant director joins England's Economic Heartland
A former assistant director at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has joined England's Economic Heartland as its head of technical programme.
Naomi Green's CV also includes roles at the Department for Transport, including as housing growth manager and head of cycling policy. Prior to this she worked for legal giant Bircham Dyson Bell as a public affairs consultant.
Amongst her chief responsibilities, Naomi will oversee England's Economic …
