LAST CHANCE TO BOOK:   HS2 Conference: Building in the local benefits, 25th November, London HS2 is coming - but what do Local Authorities, LEPs, developers and transport consultants need to do to realise the full potential of this extraordinary project? This conference considers the evidence available from similar projects in the UK and mainland Europe, setting out practical steps we will need to take to achieve the benefits HS2 is promised to deliver. Confirmed speakers include:     Richard Brown - chairman of the Department for Transport's Franchise Advisory Panel, Robert Goodwill...

HS2 Conference: Building in the local benefits, 25th November, London HS2 is coming - but what do Local Authorities, LEPs, developers and transport consultants need to do to realise the full potential of this extraordinary project? This conference considers the evidence available from similar projects in the UK and mainland Europe, setting out practical steps we will need to take to achieve the benefits HS2 is promised to deliver. Confirmed speakers include:     Richard Brown - chairman of the Department for Transport's Franchise Advisory Panel, Robert Goodwill MP - Under Secretary of...

The PM and Chancellor’s visit to Leeds this Monday to launch HS3 marked not only a greater focus from Central Government on the Northern economies, but also the first steps of a return to regional governance for transport, with the announcement of the creation of Transport for the North – a body that will cover the five city regions of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle.  Whilst this announcement follows hot on the heels of the City Growth Commission’s recommendations for greater devolution to Metro regions (a report which makes for interesting reading) the Government’s...

BOOK NOW:  HS2 Conference: HS2 Conference: Building in the local benefits, 25th November, London HS2 is coming - but what do Local Authorities, LEPs, developers and transport consultants need to do to realise the full potential of this extraordinary project? This conference considers the evidence available from similar projects in the UK and mainland Europe, setting out practical steps we will need to take to achieve the benefits HS2 is promised to deliver. Confirmed speakers include:     Richard Brown - chairman of the Department for Transport's Franchise Advisory Panel, Robert...

HS2’s central long-term contribution to economic growth outside London will be to boost the availability and accessibility of jobs. This I believe will work in 3 ways. Firstly by improving general connectivity across the county. Currently the journey from Leeds to Nottingham by train takes 2.5 hours travelling at an average speed of 36 mph. The journey time will reduce significantly with HS2 and will enable much better commuting and therefore employment opportunities.  Proximity to London’s anchor economic and political institutions and international gateways has no doubt underpinned...

With the parliamentary recess and summer holiday season in full swing; August usually sees the news dominated by silly season stories and an over abundance of “creature- features”. Giant spiders descend on Glasgow, anyone? (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-28770764). Whilst there is still the usual stream of silliness in the mainstream press this year, “proper” news dominates the front pages at the moment, with frequent and depressing updates on the situation in the Middle East. Most of the news includes reports that extremist terror groups, such as ISIS, are attracting European...

“A great opportunity for catching up with colleagues and peers in the industry and finding out about the latest technical developments” “TPM is a great way to hear from fellow transport professionals about good work” “As ever, a broad and fascinating range of topics covered. This is a 'must' in the training calendar and highly recommended for transport planners at any stage in their career” “It was my first visit to the conference and found it a very worthwhile experience with a wide range of interesting topics, and I would certainly book again” “TPM 2014 was a well organised and...

It’s been a couple of months since we sent out the last PTRC newsletter and what a busy couple of months it’s been.  You might be forgiven for thinking that we’d all dashed off on our summer holidays as soon as TPM was over, but no, we’ve been beavering away on the Autumn training programme.  With three conferences and sixteen courses planned from September, and a similar line up in the pipeline for the Spring, it’s all go at Vernon Mews this Summer.  Amongst the courses starting in September are some of our old favourites – we’re bringing the Principles of Traffic and Transport 20 week...

PTRC’s 2014 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 Michèle Dix, Managing Director of Planning, Transport for London, for her commitment and contribution to the transport planning profession. Her award was presented by Daniel Parker-Klein, Director, PTRC, who commended Michèle for her...

Michèle Dix, Managing Director of Planning, Transport for London has been awarded PTRC’s Lifetime Achievement Award at last night’s prestigious Transport Practitioners’ Meeting Awards ceremony. PTRC’s Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded to leading figures in the transport world for their commitment and contribution to the transport planning profession. Sir Peter Hendy CBE was delighted to congratulate Michèle in winning this prestigious award and described her as ‘the best transport planner in Britain’. He acknowledged that ‘Michèle’s achievements cannot be understated’ and that...