Yesterday (16 September) the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) hosted a Parliamentary Reception in the House of Commons.
The event welcomed MPs, peers, civil servants, and stakeholders to launch a paper calling on the UK Government and industry to put the circular economy at the heart of UK infrastructure delivery.
The publication comes ahead of the government’s Circular Economy Strategy, expected this autumn, which will target six sectors - textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, chemicals and plastics - to cut waste and drive reuse.
Kate Jennings, CEO of the Environmental Industries Commission, Philippa Spence, Managing Director of Ramboll and Chair of the EIC, and sponsored by Edward Morello MP.
More information on the EIC paper is available here.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with ACE and the EIC and other built environment stakeholders to drive waste reduction, improve productivity, and increase resilience and life span of UK infrastructure.
Yesterday (8 September) the Royal Institution of British Architects (RIBA) hosted a Parliamentary Reception in the House of Lords.
The event welcomed peers, civil servants, RIBA members and stakeholders to celebrate excellence in housing, showcasing a selection of RIBA award-winning projects recognised for their outstanding contributions to quality design, regeneration and social value in addition to celebrating the role of architects in transforming and shaping the built environment.
The event was sponsored by Lord Best and hosted by the RIBA.
CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with RIBA and other built environment stakeholders as the UK works to deliver 1.5m new homes as part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.
Yesterday (8 September) CIHT attended a Joint Parliamentary Forum on ‘What the North Needs to Better Connect its People and Places’.
The Pan Northern Westminster Group Parliamentary forum, sponsored by Devo Agency, hosted:
Former Minister for Transport and former Chair of the Transport Select Committee - Huw Merriman, Jo Platt MP - Chair of the Greater Manchester APPG
Mark Sewards MP for Leeds South West and Morley
Sara Gilmore - specialist in Public Private Partnerships
Ross Ashton - Principal Programme Sponsor, Network Rail
Lord McLoughlin – Former Secretary of State for Transport and Chairman of Transport for the North
Jonathan Hinder MP for Pendle and Clitheroe
Other stakeholders
The forum was designed to discuss how the fragmented nature of transport in the North of England leads to a disconnected North, undermining opportunities for growth and economic prosperity.
Large parts of the discussion focused on the need to revive Northern Powerhouse Rail and the need for Northern communities to be linked by transport to enable new economic, social, and educational opportunities to be realised.
CIHT Public Affairs Manager, Liberty Hibberd, highlighted to the forum that rail was only one part of the necessary transport focus needed to realise these benefits and asserted regional disparities have the potential to become wider without a holistic view of England’s transport network as a whole.
CIHT outlined how transport must be integrated and people provided with different transport mode options to promote sustainability and active travel. It was agreed by the forum that active travel corridors are a key element of realising this potential.
CIHT is due to release a policy report on the benefits associated with increased active travel and health benefits that maximise individual longevity and reduce the burden of preventable health conditions on the NHS. The CIHT policy report is due to be released later this autumn.
CIHT looks forward to continuing the conversation with the Pan Northern Westminster Group and working with the UK Government and the Department for Transport to deliver a transport network that is fit for all our futures.
The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) is pleased to announce an invitation to be involved in a new cross- sector working group focused on improving the accessibility of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The group has been established following a BSI-led review of the PAS 1899:2022 standard for accessible chargepoints, co-sponsored by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and the Motability Foundation.
The working group brings together cross-sector expertise to help revise how the standards set in the current PAS 1899:2022 can better address the needs of disabled users.
The invitation comes at a timely moment for CIHT, as the Institution is currently undertaking work focused on the rollout of EV charging infrastructure. CIHT’s work aims at developing a practical, comprehensive report designed to serve as a “go-to” resource for local authorities and other stakeholders involved in the rollout of public EV charging infrastructure. CIHT’s report will be published later in the autumn here.
CIHT is delighted to be part of this important collaboration to ensure our EV infrastructure is inclusive and accessible for all. Creating a transport system that works for everyone is a central goal for CIHT and we explored this issue in more detail in our 2024 report Creating a Public Realm for All. We welcome the opportunity to support the development of ambitious yet practical updates to PAS 1899.
We look forward to collaborating with OZEV, the Motability Foundation, and our peers across the sector to make sure accessibility remains a core priority in the EV transition.
CIHT Public Affairs Manager met with RTPI Head of Public Affairs - Robbie Calvert.
The meeting discussed:
Increased collaboration between the two institutions
Regulatory changes expected to occur following the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the English Devolution Bill, both of which have implications for the built environment and transport
Campaigns to increase member engagement and public awareness of key issues
The need for transport planning to be considered earlier in the planning process of new developments and towns in the UK
Explored emerging issues in highways
CIHT looks forward to continuing to engage with RTPI and other professional bodies in the industry to maximise impact and work to create a transport network that is fit for all our futures and fully integrated in the place making process.
