Senior transport figures recognised in the New Year Honours List include Peter Hendy of Transport for London who has been awarded a Knighthood and Professor Alan Woodside of the University of Ulster who receives an OBE. Howard Collins of TfL becomes an OBE, as does Christopher Garnett who worked with the Olympic Delivery Authority. Dr Mel Mehmet of sustainable transport group Easit has been made an MBE.

Sir Peter Hendy (above) is London’s Transport Commissioner and a Fellow of CIHT. He receives his Knighthood for services to transport and the community and was very generous towards colleagues when hearing of his achievement. "I am sure this award is a clear recognition of the tremendous performance of everyone in Transport for London during the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” he said.

His colleague Howard Collins,  who has been awarded an OBE, is the chief operating officer for London Underground and receives the honour for his efforts during the 2012 Games. Christopher Garnett of the Olympic Delivery Authority chaired the Olympic Transport Board and also receives his OBE for services to the London Games.

Alan Woodside (right) is emeritus professor of highway engineering at Ulster University and is a past Chairman of CIHT’s Northern Ireland Branch. He directed the university’s transport and road assessment centre until his retirement last year and receives an OBE for services to higher education and highway engineering in Northern Ireland.

“My initial reaction was one of surprise when I received a letter from the Cabinet Office but I am very happy to accept the honour,” said Professor Woodside, whose research work has included a focus on highway materials and road safety. He serves as an external examiner for the universities of Newcastle, Leeds and Brunel.

Dr Mel Mehmet is the chief executive of sustainable transport group Easit and receives an MBE for services to business and sustainable transport. His company works with large employers in the Home Counties to encourage car sharing and public transport use and has negotiated travel discounts with rail firms for 80,000 local commuters.

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