COVID-19’s impact on changing people’s living and working habits could have long term consequences for the country’s transport economy and sustainability, delegates at Transport for the South East (TfSE)’s Annual Conference heard.
Nearly 200 industry experts at the virtual conference, facilitated by White Label, voted for a more integrated approach to investment in transport, housing and employment in order to drive more sustainable economic growth.
Councillor Keith Glazier, chair of Transport for the South East, told delegates: “By speaking with one voice we can let the government know how investment in a more sustainable transport network will help our economy recover and grow, delivering a green transport revolution that will create jobs, boost quality of life and help cut carbon emissions to net-zero.”
Rupert Clubb, lead officer, Transport for the South East and East Sussex County Council’s Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, told delegates TfSE’s mission was to hit the ‘sweet spot’, which balanced the needs and wants of the economy, society and the environment.
Presenting the organisation’s Transport Strategy for the South East, he said the TfSE recognised transport was a major facilitator of sustainable growth.
“In the last six months, we have learned the value people put on the places they live and the importance of access to green spaces. We have an exciting vision of what the 2050 carbon net zero target might bring us, as we look at the places in which people live and how we might support that.
“There are so many challenges around housing, particularly in communities already facing burdens around infrastructure, and the opportunity to join up land use and transport planning presents a fantastic chance to ensure we are driving sustainable communities.”
Keynote speaker Baroness Vere, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, praised TfSE’s ambition and leadership, saying the government would be looking to sub-regional bodies like TfSE to help it deliver the infrastructure the country needs.
“COVID-19 has, I hope temporarily, changed so much about our lives, but I agree it does offer quite a lot of opportunity. Infrastructure is an enabler – for people and businesses in their work and lives, and we need to take advantage of change to achieve some of our ambitions, which are economic growth, but with decarbonisation at the top of our minds.
TfSE brings together 16 local transport authorities and a range of other partners including Local Enterprise Partnerships, district and borough authorities to speak with one voice on the region’s transport investment priorities. It has recently launched its 30-year Transport Strategy, which seeks to integrate methods of transport, develop innovation in the industry and unlock the potential for continuing growth where lack of transport infrastructure has been a barrier to sustainable development, including for housing and businesses. TfSE also recently submitted a bid to government for statutory status, which would give it direct influence over government decision-making on transport issues and the powers needed to deliver major improvements to the South East’s transport network.
