AWARDS HONOUR TOP TRANSPORT PLANNERS
Richard Armitage wins PTRC’s TPM Lifetime Achievement Award
PTRC’s 2013 Transport Practitioners’ Meeting Awards have been awarded to top transport planners across the UK in recognition of their work in proposing, planning and developing schemes that improve local transport provision, enhance the built environment, or contribute to local socio-economic well-being.
The PTRC Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Richard Armitage CMILT, Managing Director of the Richard Armitage Transport Consultancy and Chairman of the TAS Partnership, for his work in developing local community transport schemes since the 1970s, as well as what the judging panel called his “infectious enthusiasm” for good local transport planning and provision. His award was presented by Steve Agg, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) who also commended him for his work in establishing and promoting the Institute’s growing Cycling Forum.
The 2013 Award for Urban Transport Design, sponsored by Urban Movement, was given to Coventry City Council for their Gosford Road Improvement Scheme which has hugely enhanced the flow of pedestrians and cyclists in a busy part of the city centre, as well as creating a much stronger sense of place at a junction that previously had poor provision for non-motorists. Other schemes shortlisted and commended in what the judges called “a competitive field” were Southampton City Council, and also Lambeth Council for its Dulwich-Herne Hill project. As judges noted, the investment made in these schemes has reduced road casualties and fatalities.
The award for Best Paper at the Conference for Demonstrating Sustainable Transport Solutions was given to Tim Middleton and Keturah Watts of Kent County Council for their paper: ‘Saving Lives through healthier homes: putting location, links and layout for new residential developments at the heart of the health agenda’.
Martin Richards OBE, presented the award for the Voorhees-Large Prize, in memory of Brian Large, a former director of planning consultancy MVA and one of the founding fathers of transport modelling. This year’s award was won by Susanna Bass, who is a Traffic Control Engineer at Transport for London, for the excellence of her Master’s degree at Imperial College and UCL in London in 2012.
Nick Richardson, Chairman of the Transport Planning Society (TPS) presented two awards sponsored by TPS. The first was given to Emma Osborne, Principal, Surface Transport Managing Director’s Office at Transport for London, who won the Transport Planner of the Year Award for her tireless work to deliver the vital Central London Zone travel plan for the London 2012 Olympics.
Nick also presented the award for ‘Best Paper at the Conference by a Young Practitioner’ which was won jointly by Steff Jones, Suffolk County Council and Stephanie Norris, Integrated Transport Planning Ltd.
Nick Richardson, who is also Chairman of PTRC, commented: “These awards recognise and reflect the excellent work that is being done by transport planners to improve local transport and create places for people in towns, cities and rural areas across the country. Despite the difficult economic times, planners are showing flair and ingenuity to make a difference for local communities.”
The Awards Ceremony was held at the exquisite Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.