England’s Economic Heartland has unveiled its outline transport strategy and is calling on local people and businesses to contribute to a discussion to help shape detailed policies and infrastructure proposals.
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The strategic alliance launched its outline transport strategy for the Oxford to Cambridge arc at its annual conference at the University of Hertfordshire yesterday, and is inviting comments until the end of October. It will then look to publish a draft transport strategy for consultation in the first half of next year.
Broad aims of the Heartland – which includes 11 local transport authorities and three local enterprise partnerships – include delivering economic growth, improving residents’ quality of life and achieving a zero carbon transport system by 2050.
“The Heartland is one of the most exciting economic opportunities in Europe; an internationally renowned hub for science, technology and research,” said England’s Economic Heartland strategic transport forum chair Dave Hodgson. “But economic growth has already brought with it increased pressure on our transport infrastructure, resulting in disruption, unreliability and pollution.
“Future growth must go hand in hand with environmental improvements, and investment in the transport system is crucial to achieving this. We want to have a conversation with people and businesses focused around what they believe the transport system needs to deliver in the future.”
Alongside the outline transport strategy, England’s Economic Heartland has published a study identifying freight and logistics priorities for the region. These include improving strategic road access, maximising the use of rail freight and encouraging investment in greener technology.
It has also launched a competition asking for students, post graduates and those at an early stage in their careers to set out how they think the transport system needs to change in the decades ahead.
Participants are invited to submit up to 500 words, either giving a broad overview of the future transport system or focusing on a single element, mode or priority principle. The deadline for entries is 13 December.
In parallel to developing its transport strategy, detailed proposal to establish England’s Economic Heartland as a statutory sub national transport body will be prepared.
To have your say on the outline transport strategy, freight study and to find out more about the young professional’s competition visit englandseconomicheartland.com
(Photograph: Scott Ramsey Photography)
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