In her latest article for her fortnightly column in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), honorary CIHT fellow Professor Scarlett McNally highlights the transformative potential of upgrading public transport and promoting active travel for improving public health and societal well-being. The piece spotlights the work of CIHT, referencing our recent podcast ‘How Transport Can Fix Health’ and latest report, ‘Unlocking the benefits of long-term funding for local roads.’ 

Professor McNally calls for investment to build and repair transport infrastructure, highlighting the interconnection between health and transport. 

‘Good local transport and accessible infrastructure support a population’s health and the economy. The healthcare community must advocate for transport that works for everyone, especially vulnerable people.’ Professor Scarlett McNally, BMJ. 

CIHT has long advocated for wider recognition of the relationship between transport and health.  

Our policy brief ‘Making the Case for Investment in Active Travel’ outlines the excellent value offered by investment in walking, wheeling, and cycling when viewed through a holistic lens that values the impact on health, the economy and environment in tandem. 

CIHT members can read our exclusive members-only article 'Potholes and poorly maintained footways- The cost to the NHS' which highlights the human cost of potholes and poorly maintained footways, including accidents, injuries and the risks of social exclusion. 

Alone, no single alternative transportation mode can challenge the dominance of private use vehicles, but when combined effectively, public transport and active travel can offer people increased travel choices. CIHT’s open access article ‘Sustainable Transport Integration: Global Success Stories’ features a range of global case studies, exploring how countries across the world have achieved seamless transport integration. 

Our upcoming report, ‘Overcoming the barriers to implementing active travel schemes’, will explore the challenges local authorities face when rolling out schemes designed to promote walking, wheeling and cycling, and provide recommendations as to how to overcome these obstacles. This report will be available later in Autumn 2025.   

About Professor Scarlett McNally 

Professor Scarlett McNally FCIHT is a consultant orthopaedic Surgeon at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, President of the Medical Women's Federation, deputy director of the Centre for Perioperative Care and Honorary Clinical Professor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Scarlett has sat on four British Medical Association committees and five Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ committees and was lead author for the Academy’s ‘Exercise the Miracle Cure’. Scarlett’s fortnightly BMJ columns are freely available at www.scarlettmcnally.co.uk