As an Honorary Fellow of the Institution, Her Royal Highness was given the opportunity to tour the impressive new premises and view the state of the art facilities. A few special guests were in attendance for this prestigious occasion, including IHT President David Tarrant, Deputy Speaker of Hackney, Councillor Ünlüer and representatives from IHT’s Council and technical boards.

 

 

 

 

Special guests meeting The Princess Royal

 

 

 

 

 

The Princess Royal was introduced to Institution staff from various departments who demonstrated some of the activities involved in running a membership organisation.

 

 

Whilst meeting the rest of the guests, she was presented with many of the initiatives and projects that the IHT and its membership are involved in.

 

 

Introduced to IHT Staff in the Membership and Technical Departments

 

 

 

 

 

The projects and initiatives that were presented included:

 

About IHT – Members demonstrated what IHT is all about, including the main goals of the Institution and the benefits of membership.

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 Years of the Motorways – Members highlighted that 2009 – 9 saw the anniversary of Britain’s first motorways. HRH was shown evidence from the archives as well as examples of how the occasion will be marked over the next few months. 

 

 

 

Transportation Professional – The Member Services Board, the Editor and Staff from Transportation Professional, IHT’s magazine explained what this publication is all about including the types of topics that it covers and how it is produced.

 

 

 

 

Climate Change and Sustainable Transport – Members from IHT’s Sustainable Transport Panel showed details of their work including the recent publication that looked at many carbon related issues including how to reduce CO2 emissions.

 

 

 

Project Brunel – IHT members described what Project Brunel has been about and how the Institution would seek to support many of the recommendations in this study into the shortage of skills in highways and transportation.

 

 

 

Road Safety – This featured members highlighting the role IHT has played in improving road safety over many years. The group also highlighted current key activities including dissemination of technical guidelines, management of the Society of Road Safety Auditors and commenting on recent government announcements.

 

Qualifications – IHT’s Education Board showed how the institution works to raise professional standards, enable career progression, support employer training programmes and provide the Transport Planning Professional, CEng and IEng qualifications.

 

 

 IHT Foundation – HRH was shown the workings of the IHT Foundation and what it was set up to achieve. Discussions also centred on the types of projects and initiatives that could apply for assistance and potential grants.

 

 

 

 

David Tarrant invited The Princess Royal to formally open the building and she gave a short speech and unveiled the specially commissioned plaque to commemorate the opening.

 

 

Official unveiling of the commemorative plaque

 

 

 

 

 

IHT President, David Tarrant said that he was delighted that the Princess Royal had honoured the Institution by formally opening the new offices.

 

“The new premises provide an excellent base for staff and members to operate from and ensure that we continue our policy of sound, long term investment for the future. All in all a day to celebrate and my thanks go to everybody involved in making the move such a great success.”