Yesterday (18 March) the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) welcomed over 200 delegates to the CIHT National Conference 2026, held in Central London, hearing from leading experts in the sector around resilience.
The day brought together industry leaders and professionals from across the highways and transportation sector for the flagship event.
Entitled ‘From risk to resilience’ the conference explored how the industry could respond effectively to evolving demands, highlighting the need for sustainability, resilience, and innovation, whilst supporting the transition to a more efficient and low-carbon transport system.
The conference was opened by Mitesh Solanki FCIHT - CIHT President 25/26 & Managing Director of Ringway Highways Services and was followed by a keynote address from Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses at the Department for Transport.
Simon Lightwood MP, the Minister for Roads and Buses said:
"It’s time for resilience to be built in, not bolted on. We can’t avoid these risks to our roads, but we can be ready to meet the challenges.The conference moved to presentations and panel discussions focusing on resilience and adaptation including representatives from the Climate Change Committee, Welsh Government, Department for Infrastructure, National Highways, Ringway Mitesh Solanki, Surrey County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Midlands Connect, University of the Built Environment, Carrington West, and Jacobs.
The CIHT National Conference provides a key platform for industry collaboration, insight, and forward-looking discussion on the future of transport.
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT, said:
"Our National Conference creates the forum to bring together the people and expertise needed to turn ambition into practical action. At a time when our transport networks face growing pressures—from climate impacts to funding and skills challenges—this conference provided a vital platform to share evidence, challenge thinking and focus on the solutions that will deliver resilient, inclusive and sustainable networks for the future."CIHT looks forward to building on the momentum generated at the conference, continuing to support the sector through the exchange of ideas, expertise, and professional development.
CIHT would like to take the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the CIHT National Conference 2026 including Ringway, Brightly, Carrington West, Matchtech, Kier and WJ.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Roads and Buses, the Department for Transport (DfT), and all stakeholders and CIHT members, in creating and delivering a transport network fit for all our futures.
CIHT Public Affairs Manager, Liberty Hibberd, attended an APPG for Women in Transport event on Autonomous Vehicles, in partnership with Waymo, on Thursday 12th March at Portcullis House in Westminster.
The event featured discussion from the panel on exploring how Autonomous Vehicles on Britain’s roads can enhance the safety of women and girls.
The panel consisted of Elsie Blundell MP - member for Parliament for Heywood and Middleton North and member of the Transport Committee, Lord Moylan - House of Lords Conservative Party Transport Spokesman, Jo Field - Chair of Women in Transport and CEO of JFG Comms, Nathan Ashley - Public Policy Manager Waymo, Dr Suzy Charman - Executive Director, Road Safety Foundation, and a representative from TfL.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to engage with the APPG for Women in Transport and working with the Department for Transport during the UK's adoption of autonomous vehicles.
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive CIHT attended an APPG for the Built Environment stakeholder roundtable on 10 March at Portcullis House to discuss construction careers.
This roundtable brought together representatives from Tier 1 organisations, industry bodies, recruitment specialists and academia to discuss the potential for a coordinated national campaign to promote careers in construction and infrastructure.
The session was designed to test industry appetite for a collaborative, national-scale initiative to address workforce challenges, improve public perception of the sector and support the development of the future construction workforce.
Participants were invited to share perspectives on four key areas
The roundtable aimed to encourage open discussion and, subject to stakeholder support, explore potential next steps for developing a coordinated national approach.
Manchesterism rising from devolution - In conversation with Mayor Andy Burnham
On the 4th March, CIHT Public Affairs Manager Liberty Hibberd attended the Centre for Cities event ‘Manchesterism rising from devolution - In conversation with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham’.
The event took place in Central London and discussed devolution, the relationship between the combined authorities with Westminster, and the disillusionment of the population currently with the political system.
Mayor Burnham highlighted that a good functioning public transport network is the key to a successful economy.
He cited one of his proudest achievements is the reinvigoration of the bus network in Manchester, following historic deregulation.
Burnham also highlighted how investment in public infrastructure and transport can be the spark that reinvigorates a region economically and socially.
Highlighting how solutions should have ambition and have a focus on place based solutions.
CIHT looks forward to continuing the conversation on transport and devolution in England.
We are delighted to announce that Simon Lightwood MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport), as the keynote speaker for the CIHT National Conference 2026.
Simon Lightwood was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Transport in the Department for Transport on 9 July 2024. Simon was reappointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Transport in September 2025 with a new portfolio, Minister for Roads and Buses.
On the 28 January 2026, CIHT gave oral evidence to the Transport Committee inquiry looking at 'Joined-up journeys: achieving and measuring transport integration'.
The committee heard evidence from Kate Carpenter FCIHT (CIHT Vice President) Director of Operational Road Safety – Buildings & Infrastructure Europe, Jacobs, Robert Johnson - Analyst at Centre for Cities, Professor Greg Marsden FCIHT - Professor of Transport Governance at Institute for Transport Studies, Damien Jones - Chair at Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers.
In her evidence, Kate raised several points including:
The Transport Committee, chaired today by Rebecca Smith MP, asked the panel several questions, including:
The full committee session is available to watch here.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Transport Committee on their inquiry into joined up journeys and integrated transport and assisting them with a variety of inquiries.
CIHT eagerly awaits the publication of the Department for Transport's Integrated National Transport Strategy later this year.
CIHT’s submission to the Department for Transport’s Integrated National Transport Strategy is available to read here.
CIHT’s written evidence to the Transport Committee is available to read here.
On 3rd December Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive CIHT joined Chair of the Transport Committee, Ruth Cadbury MP (Lab, Brentford and Isleworth), in Westminster to discuss ongoing collaboration with CIHT and Streetworks.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with Ruth Cadbury MP and the wider Transport Committee to ensure the UK’s transport network is fit for all our futures.
APPG for Women in Bus and Coach hosts Westminster reception highlighting the future of the sector
On 1st December, Sue Percy CBE attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Bus and Coach Parliamentary Reception in Westminster.
The event brought together Parliamentarians, industry leaders and representatives from Women in Bus & Coach (WiBC) for a focused discussion on the future of the bus, coach, and community transport sector.
Speakers at the event explored key themes including sector resilience, gender leadership, the future of coaches, the vital role of community transport, and the ongoing work required to build a more inclusive and representative workforce.
The event featured contributions from a wide range of influential speakers, including:
During the reception, Victoria Garcia MBE was also recognised as a WiBC Ambassador, receiving congratulations from attendees in acknowledgement of her contributions to supporting and championing women across the sector.
Many attendees noted that the insights shared during the reception will help shape joint efforts to strengthen the bus, coach, and community transport sector, ensuring it remains resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.
CIHT look forward to continuing to engage with the APPG and Women in Bus and Coach, as the industry continues to build a more inclusive and representative workforce.
The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has written to Lilian Greenwood MP to request a meeting to discuss key transport priorities, including local transport, active travel, and road safety.
Building on previous collaboration and her attendance at the CIHT National Conference in May 2025, CIHT aims to share insights from its recent and upcoming reports on reducing the impact of highway works and overcoming barriers to active travel schemes.
CIHT looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Minister and the Department for Transport to help deliver a modern, inclusive, and sustainable transport network.
28.10.2025
The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has written to the Secretary of State ahead of the publication of the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS), setting out its key priorities for inclusion.
CIHT recommends that the strategy focus on four strategic goals: achieving modal shift to reduce emissions, improving connectivity and economic opportunity, creating a safer and more inclusive network, and enhancing customer choice and experience.
CIHT emphasises the need for stronger integration between transport and planning, ensuring new developments support sustainable travel, and embedding climate action at the heart of policy.
CIHT looks forward to working with the Secretary of State, Department for Transport, and the wider UK Government to help deliver a transport system that supports the Government’s missions for growth, health, and opportunity.
The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has written to Ruth Cadbury MP in her capacity as Chair of the Transport Committee, to continue discussions on streetworks following the publication of the report “Reducing the Impact of Highway Works on Road Users'.
The report’s recommendations align closely with those from the Transport Committee’s “Managing the Impact of Street Works.” CIHT has expressed concern that several shared recommendations were rejected in the UK Government’s response and has urged reconsideration.
CIHT welcomes the opportunity to meet and discuss next steps to support local authorities, minimise disruption, and ensure industry insights inform future transport policy.
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive CIHT met with Esme Yuill from Transport East.
They discussed the disparities between urban and rural communities in the East of England, the importance of improving connectivity, and the upcoming CIHT Employment Trends survey.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with Transport East. Ensuring an open and collaborative dialogue between the UK Government, key stakeholders, and industry is vital to ensuring that the UK’s transport network works for all.
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive met with Andrew Gates Director of Strategy at South Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Andrew and Sue discussed the authorities upcoming move towards bus franchising in 2027, the necessity of increased sustainable travel for economic benefits, and the upcoming English Devolution Bill.
CIHT looks forward to an ongoing dialogue with the Mayor of Lewisham and South Yorkshire Combined Authority, and working to create transport networks fit for all our futures.
On the 29th September Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive CIHT met with Mayor Brenda Dacres OBE to discuss Lewisham and the ongoing challenges the borough faces on transport.
Sue and the Mayor discussed the promotion of sustainable transport, the proposed rerouting of the A205, and the upcoming CIHT policy report on Health and Transport.
Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive and Liberty Hibberd MA, MCIPR, Public Affairs Manager at CIHT met with Seb Dance Deputy Mayor of London for Transport to discuss TfL’s vision of increased sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport across the Greater London region.
CIHT looks forward to continuing the conversation with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of London and collaborating to deliver a transport network that fits all our futures.
13th August 2025
The Transport Committee of the UK Parliament has today (13 August 2025) published the report Buses connecting communities. The report highlights that the long-term decline in local bus networks has left many without access to reliable services and calls for more ambitious action to reverse long-term decline of Buses.
The report follows the Committee’s inquiry into the effectiveness of recent Government policy in tackling the decline in bus services and cites written evidence submitted by CIHT.
The Committee has taken forward several calls made by CIHT, including the need to shift to a five-year funding settlement for bus services, better funding support for socially necessary services, and support for the technical expertise required for local authorities to franchise bus services.
CIHT welcomes the recommendations made in this report, which have the potential to boost ridership and ensure that all communities have access to necessary services.
The Committee has recommended that the CIHT-managed Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) is expanded to include a dedicated support strand for rural and other local transport authorities which may struggle to implement franchising successfully within their current capacity. This is welcome recognition of the important role BCoE plays in building capacity across the sector.
The Committee has also recommended moving to a five-year funding settlement for bus services, for both capital and revenue spending. As cited in the Committee's report, CIHT highlighted in its written evidence short-term and piecemeal funding frameworks undermined the ability of authorities to plan strategically. CIHT’s recent report, Unlocking the benefits of long-term funding for local roads, highlights that long-term funding models enable better planning, procurement, innovation, and delivery.
Other recommendations made by the Committee to the Department for Transport (DfT) include:
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with the Transport Committee on the topic buses and assisting them with a variety of their inquiries.
CIHT also looks forward to working with the Department for Transport and Local Authorities to deliver the recommendations from the Transport Committees inquiry into ‘Buses connecting communities’.
8th Jul 2025
The Department for Transport and HM Treasury have today (8 July) announced that over 50 road and rail upgrades have been given the green light.
Many of these schemes had been put on pause when the previous Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh MP, announced a Transport infrastructure review.
CIHT welcomes the UK Government giving the green light for work to continue on 28 local road schemes considered vital to connecting and growing communities.
CIHT highlights that incrementally adapting infrastructure and proactively maintaining it is crucial for extreme weather resilience and meeting decarbonisation goals.
The UK needs a more resilient transport network to ensure reliability for people’s travel and for goods deliveries. This requires futureproofing and maintenance of current and future transport infrastructure.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and other government departments to ensure that the UK’s transport network is fit for all our futures.
For more information on this news story is available to read here.
25th Jun 2025
The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the independent advisor to the UK government on climate change, published a ‘Progress in adapting to climate change: 2025 report to Parliament’.
The CCC report echoes CIHT calls in the report ‘Delivering a resilient transport network’, calling for improved coordination across government departments, integrating adaptation into all relevant policies and the implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning across all sectors.
CIHT had previously called for:
Urgency to act now and be prepared
Mandatory assessments of the current and future resilience of the infrastructure
Building a nationwide leadership
More information on this news story is available to read here.
19th Jun 2025
The UK Government have published their long-awaited Infrastructure Strategy for the next decade, backed by £725 billion in long-term funding for maintenance and major projects.
CIHT has long called for a vision-led approach that establishes clear priorities for infrastructure to support the economy and society, aligned with the government's broader missions.
CIHT submitted evidence as part of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy working paper.
Many of CIHT's recommendations around planning and network maintenance have been considered as part of the strategy including:
This funding commitment follows recommendations from the National Audit Office on the need for long-term, sustainable maintenance funding.
Other areas that CIHT has advocated to be included in the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, include:
Network Maintenance
Improving connectivity
Decarbonising the sector
For more information on this news story is available to read here.
18th Jun 2025
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, has announced £1bn in funding for renewal and maintenance of bridges, roads and tunnels.
The new ‘Structures Fund’ will fund repairs of bridges, roads, and tunnels and ensure other transport infrastructure is both more resilient to extreme weather events and to the demands of modern transport.
CIHT welcomes the creation of the ‘Structures Fund’ and the commitment of the government to enhance the resilience of transport infrastructure.
CIHT has previously called for calls for investment in maintenance of the UK’s existing highways and infrastructure to ensure the continued and efficient use of our transport network.
CIHT highlights that incrementally adapting infrastructure and proactively maintaining it is crucial for extreme weather resilience and meeting decarbonisation goals.
The CIHT report ‘Delivering a resilient transport network’ outlines that the changing climate is having a major impact on the UK ageing infrastructure. Flooding, higher temperatures, storms and severe weather are more common and accelerate failures and disruptions on the network.
For more information on this news story is available to read here.
17th June 2025
Stakeholder engagement with transport industry and strategic partners.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with ITS UK and other transport sector stakeholders as the UK works to deliver a transport network that is fit for all our futures.
For more information on this news story is available to read here.
11th June 2025
CIHT welcomes the UK Governmental Spending Review, delivered on 11th June 2025 by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and other government departments to ensure that the UK’s transport network is fit for all our futures.
The Spending Review also committed £39 billion to a new 10-year Affordable Housing Programme.
In the representation to the Spending Review, CIHT called for investment in new affordable housing that is well-connected and serviced by affordable and sustainable means of transportation.
Road Maintenance and Resilience
CIHT demonstrated that:
The report highlighted that:
Decarbonisation and Net Zero
Local Transport and Active Travel
Skills
AI
Long term planning and infrastructure strategy
Active Travel Funding
Funding for City Regions outside of London
More information is available to read here.