Positive impacts of transport planning projects on local communities across the country will be celebrated by a brand new award, for which entries are now being welcomed.

 

The inaugural People’s Award – organised by the Transport Planning Society (TPS) – invites communities to put forward schemes that have made a genuine contribution to improving people’s access to services, quality of life and wellbeing.

 

“We all experience the benefits of transport planning all the time, from a child able to walk safely to a friend’s house, to a business able to send a package across the world in a matter of hours,” said TPS chair Lynda Addison, who also chairs CIHT’s Sustainable Transport Panel.

 

“But transport can also have a negative impact on people’s lives, for example through air and noise pollution. Transport planning aims to reduce these impacts and support the delivery of quality places for people.

 

“Local people know which schemes have made things better for their communities. That’s why our awards will showcase what makes a good scheme from the community’s point of view.”

 

The competition will also highlight the professionals behind local projects and will look to feature positive role models to inspire more young people to choose transport planning as a career.

 

Entries are open until 3 August. A shortlist will be announced in the autumn before the winner is announced at a ‘Transport Planning Day’ event in London on 13 November, where all finalists will be showcased. To qualify for entry, projects or initiatives must have been in operation for at least one year.

 

For more information including entry criteria visit tps.org.uk or contact jo@jfgcomms.co.uk

 

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Stephen Joseph said: “Transport affects everyone so it’s vital communities are engaged in shaping transport initiatives.

 

“We welcome the People’s Award as it enables communities to tell the professionals what good looks like, and sharpen focus on the role of transport planners in delivering better transport and improving the quality of life for all.”