Sub-national Transport Bodies come together and demonstrate how they’re delivering better transport for the country’s regions
On 5 March, we once again reunited with England’s six other sub-national transport bodies (STBs) at this year’s STB Conference – as part of the Interchange Conference – in Manchester. Together, we demonstrated our value in supporting partners to improve transport and enable people to thrive.
As the lead STB and host of the Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence, we highlighted our efforts in championing rural transport and collaborating with partners to enhance connectivity for rural communities. Sharon Payne, Transport East’s Rural Mobility Lead, led on a session titled Mission: opportunity for all – rural transport and social exclusion.
The panel discussed how poor connectivity and a limited choice is transport modes in rural communities can be a leading cause of social exclusion Together, they shared success stories of how to better connect rural communities, ensuring people can better access health, education and other essential services. The panellists highlighted tools that help to identify Local Authority interventions, the importance of public/private collaboration to develop the right solutions that work in the rural environment and the value of academia research to unearth and share good practice.
Andrew Summers, Transport East’s Chief Executive, joined the other STB leads to offer their perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities for transport, including the emerging Integrated National Transport Strategy, devolution and the Government’s Missions.
On the Department for Transport (DfT) emerging Integrated National Transport Strategy he flagged that ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’ – so the INTS needs to have both teeth and a pathway to embedding changes in processes, funding programmes, and drive a change in thinking across the bodies that develop, design and deliver transport.
On devolution he shared how Transport East is working with our partner authorities to be a constant voice for transport in the region as the East transitions to a new local government structure.
On how STBs are working to deliver against the Government’s Missions, he built on points made by fellow panellists around enhancing the evidence base for transport projects, helping Government at all levels get better value and outcomes from investment and ensuring transport in the East works to enable wider social outcomes.
Throughout the day, we engaged in insightful and productive discussions with other transport bodies, consultants, and local authority representatives, helping to drive forward all aspects of our work.