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Making the journey: a manifesto for transport – CIHT

Making the journey: a manifesto for transport – CIHT

Making the journey: a manifesto for transport – CIHT

The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation’s (CIHT) has launched its manifesto outlining the Institution’s proposals and views on key issues affecting the industry today.

CIHT is the leading institution in highways and transportation and ‘Making the Journey – A Manifesto for Transport’ highlights the benefits of this sector to the UK’s economy and society.

The manifesto covers:

  • A National Transport Strategy – CIHT believe that a National Transport Strategy should be developed to provide clear direction and certainty for UK transport policy.
  • Economy and Funding – CIHT call for a longer-term view and commitment to future funding for the UK’s transport infrastructure.
  • Network Resilience – adequate maintenance and funding of transport networks must be a central part of UK policy.
  • Transport’s wider benefits – transport has a role to play tackling some of our big societal challenges including the rise in obesity (through active travel), the ageing population and social exclusion (through connecting people and places).
  • Transport and Planning – an improved planning system must include transport networks and acknowledge the important role they play in economic and social development.
  • Skills – the recruitment, careful development and retention of the next generation is central to a vibrant, internationally competitive, diverse and inclusive industry.

A full copy of the manifesto is available here: Making the Journey – A Manifesto for Transport

If you would like to comment on any of the issues raised in this document or discuss any relevant highways and transportation subjects, please do not hesitate to contact CIHT via our Director of Communications, Daniel Isichei on:

t: +44 (0)20 7336 1566
e: Daniel.Isichei@ciht.org.uk

Video script

Road, rail, aviation and ports. Four separate modes of transport. But together they provide the key to successful economic growth and social development in the UK.

That’s why the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), the leading institution in highways and transportation, wants government to create a National Transport Strategy.

It would cover the strategic and local level for different modes and crucially set out how they integrate with one another. Such a co-ordinated approach is already in place in the devolved nations, and the benefits they are seeing should be mirrored at a UK level.

The UK has enjoyed high levels of capital investment in transport in recent years, which are to be welcomed. But CIHT believes a long term commitment to funding and whole-life costings of transport infrastructure are required for investment certainty, including in skills, to create the transport network the UK requires now and for the future.

Skills development is a concern, with an ageing workforce and too few graduates entering the industry. Government must work with the industry to help attract and retain young professionals, and with further and higher education bodies to incentivise young people to pursue careers in engineering and transportation.

The ability of the transport network to withstand or recover from disruptions, such as those caused by extreme weather in recent years, is also key. Resilience assessments should be statutory to help identify vulnerable areas, and in turn put in place plans to mitigate and avoid disruption.

A joined-up approach to transport and planning is needed. The current lack of integration will lead to the development of isolated and unconnected communities poorly serviced by transport networks. Instead it needs to ensure developments are sited so as to minimise the need to travel and to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport when it is needed.

It is only when transport links are lost due to snowfall or flooding that their importance is apparent. This is why CIHT believes more needs to be done to recognise the wider benefits transport plays in people’s health and wellbeing, and the role it has to play in tackling some of our big societal challenges such as obesity, the ageing population and social exclusion.

A UK National Transport Strategy is not just a must for transport. It is a must for a strong economy and a cohesive society.