Following new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh MP’s first address to the Department for Transport (DfT), Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) and The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) both welcomed the new five strategic priorities for transport, pointing to alignment with both of their manifestos, while active travel charity Sustrans welcomed a new focus on reducing inequality via transport systems.
“We are pleased to see the Transport Secretary’s five priorities strongly reflecting the key areas where the transport technology sector can best be utilised to improve the transport network, as set out in the ITS UK Future of Transport Manifesto,” said Max Sugarman, chief executive of ITS UK.
Sugarman continued: “As the Manifesto highlights, the intelligent transport industry stands ready to work with the government, whether by improving our rail network through smart ticketing, supporting demand responsive transport bus services, delivering a MaaS Strategy that better integrates the transport system, or providing a greener road network through the gradual roll out of fair and understandable ‘pay as you drive’ scheme – to name but a few of the recommendations.”
Similarly, Sue Percy CBE, chief executive of CIHT, said, “We are pleased to see that the priorities we identified in our manifesto [A transport network for all our futures] have been echoed in the statement by the new Secretary of State. CIHT will be reaching out to the government to offer our support, advice and technical expertise to deliver on these aims.”
“We welcome the government providing the vision to outline their strategic priorities for transport in the first week of their new administration. CIHT has consistently called for governments to show certainty and a clarity of vision to support the highways and transportation sector.”
Meanwhile, Rachel White, head of public affairs at Sustrans, a charity dedicated to making it easier for people to walk and cycle, said: “Improving choice and reducing inequality in how we travel is a welcome priority for the new government. We need to make it easier, safer and more accessible to walk, wheel and cycle. This transformation can only happen through integrating transport. We should ensure that walking, wheeling and cycling is fully connected to bus, tram and train networks.
“Local leaders know what’s best for their communities. Further devolution of powers and investment will help them deliver better connections, growing local and national economies so people feel the benefit. We look forward to working with the new government and the Department for Transport to develop a national transport strategy that works for everyone.”
