News

Transport East headed to Manchester on 3 March for the national Interchange conference. The visit was an opportunity to set out the East’s case for greater transport investment.

Chief Executive Andrew Summers joined the ‘Buses Connecting Communities’ panel alongside Campaign for Better Transport, Community Transport Association and the Confederation of Passenger Transport. Campaign for Better Transport launched their new bus accessibility tool, and the panel  discussed the need for £1 billion of additional annual bus funding to improve access to education, training and employment. Andrew presented findings from Transport East’s research into the journey challenges facing young people in the region, who rely on affordable and reliable public transport to unlock life-changing opportunities.

Andrew also presented the East’s case on KPMG’s Bus and Rail Devolution Panel, joining leaders from government, the private sector and devolved authorities. He set out the significant role the East plays in the national economy and highlighted the opportunities that could come from more transport powers and funding to be placed in the hands of local leaders.

As Local Government East’s Opportunity East Report sets out, the East feeds the country, powers the UK and trades with the world. Half a million new homes are planned across the Transport East region by 2050, and as a partnership we need to make sure there’s a transport network that enables all communities to prosper.