Greater joining up of the transport, health and wellbeing agendas has been held back by a lack of strategic integration nationally and collaboration locally, a new report released by CIHT has highlighted.

 

The report ‘A Transport Journey to a Healthier Life’ explores how transport policy and procedure can contribute to health and wellbeing.

 

Strategic collaboration in transport is the theme of CIHT’s new President Steve Rowsell who was inaugurated following the Institution’s AGM last week. Also at the AGM local highways champion Matthew Lugg was named as CIHT Vice President.

 

CIHT’s new report was produced with support from consultant Peter Brett Associates (PBA) and involved a review of research, policy and practice by a team of industry practitioners.

 

“Through this research we have highlighted the need to improve strategic integration nationally and collaboration locally if we are to improve the links between transport, health and wellbeing,” said CIHT Chief Executive Sue Percy.

 

The report also found that the health and wellbeing benefits of transport investment need to be measured in terms of cost and non-monetary values to better influence funding decisions.

 

In addition it recommends that the local planning system should take more account of health and wellbeing in decision making, and that the influence of transport choices on mental health and wellbeing should be emphasised more in policy and practice.

 

Sue Percy added: “It is predicted that the cost to the NHS and society of obesity related illness will reach £50Bn by 2050. Reliable, fit for purpose transport infrastructure can positively impact on this significant cost by facilitating uptake of greater levels of active and sustainable travel.

 

“The evidence gathered in this report shows that the local planning system must begin to take more account of the role of health and wellbeing if the full benefits are to be realised.”

 

New CIHT President Steve Rowsell, who is best known as the Highways Agency’s former procurement director, said at his inauguration that he hopes to help the Institution develop stronger collaborative relationships with a range of stakeholders in pursuit of common objectives.

 

A full report on the inauguration and a detailed profile of the new President will feature in the upcoming July/August issue of Transportation Professional.

 

The CIHT AGM also saw a number of members newly elected to Council. Andrew Warrington and Herbert Bailie have been elected as CIHT Region Members, Tim Speed and Jerry Pert are elected as Ordinary Members and Lynn Basford, Ginny Clarke and Ed Downer are elected as Nominated Members.

 

(Photo: David McKelvey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Common Licence)