England's Economic Heartland’s Post

🌟Building consensus to deliver social impact: how a new partnership between government and business will drive transformative change Our ambitious campaign to embed positive social impact in every corner of the country was the focus of our reception in Parliament yesterday, hosted by The Purpose Coalition in partnership with Lumo and Hull Trains, and attended by leading employers and Members of Parliament from across the country.  📊 Our new interim report, "Lowering Barriers to Opportunity: Current Innovations for a Better Britain," was launched, highlighting innovative efforts to drive equality of opportunity across the UK, especially in the most deprived areas. 🚆 Lumo and Hull Trains, pioneers in open-access rail operations, showcased their commitment to breaking down barriers and offering more affordable, sustainable, and high-quality rail services. Their initiatives are not just transforming travel but are also fostering regional growth and creating new job opportunities. 🌍 Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission, Nick Forbes CBE, emphasised the need for collaboration between employers and the government to create a fairer, more inclusive future. 💬 Martijn Gilbert, MD of Lumo and Hull Trains, reiterated their dedication to connecting communities and supporting economic development through their rail services. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dwkZgCW6 #BreakingDownBarriers #SocialImpact #Community #RailInnovation #Lumo #HullTrains #PurposeCoalition #InclusiveGrowth #ThePurposeCoalition

🚗 Steer is proud to headline the 2024 Local Transport Summit, taking place in Bedford on 4-5 December. Hosted by England's Economic Heartland and organised by Landor LINKS Ltd, this year’s event explores vital themes in regional transport, from connecting housing sustainably to navigating emerging government policies.   In our seventh year as a sponsor, we’re driving key discussions, sourcing top-tier speakers, and helping shape the future of local transport planning. Our Directors, Steven Bishop, Nicola Kane, and Simon Statham, will chair dynamic panels and workshops alongside leaders from the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom and Urban Transport Group. The event also features an evening networking dinner and a walking tour of Bedford to inspire solutions in real-world settings.   Steven Bishop: “Steer is thrilled to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing today’s transport challenges.”   Don’t miss this flagship event for policymakers, planners, and transport experts. Click the link in the comments below to find out more about the event ⬇️   #LocalTransportSummit #SustainableTransport #TransportPolicy #WeAreSteer

As a significant "bridging project" potential exists between Australia and China, exciting developments ahead set the stage for celebrating the restoration of our essential relationship. Australia's PM, Albanese, supports the High-Speed Train initiative, which will open the door to his legacy project potential. Chinese Premier Li's recent visit to Adelaide marked a significant milestone. Mr Li declared the China-Australia relationship is "Back on Track." Over the last few decades, Australia has actively engaged in HST feasibility studies. The world's largest Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) has deployed over 25,000 km of High-Speed Train tracks, with an additional 25,000 km during the period of Australian feasibility studies period, and now, with development or advanced planning, a further 25,000 km of HST tracks over the next five to eight years. Meanwhile, Australia has been doing endless feasibility studies. China has spearheaded innovative solutions by leveraging German HST technologies, creating new GDP growth corridors and urban expansions. CREC's capabilities offer Australia a unique opportunity for growth, with potential GDP growth corridors between Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne, fostering urban projects in Regional Australia and affordable housing solutions. Despite recent challenges, including past strained relationships, our consortia hold a promising MOU with a CREC subsidiary and are awaiting the restoration of critical ties. Addressing economic implications, Australia's high national airfares impact growth and connectivity, particularly on the lucrative Sydney-Melbourne route and the opportunity to open up Regional Australia away from overcrowded cities like Sydney and Melbourne. #HST #Australia #China #RegionalAustralia

Today's first Mobility Conference general session is "The Future of Cities Relies on the Strength of Public Transportation." For generations, strong and expanding public transportation has had a central role in providing mobility to persons throughout urban and regional communities. In so doing, this has enabled the American economy to prosper. The distinguished panel is speaking to the necessity of an ongoing federal-state-local partnership supporting public transportation, in so doing keeping cities and regions strong, vibrant, environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable. The discussion is about the significance of urban form, universal mobility, and the broad range of community benefits that come from public transportation. Session participants include: + Irene M., Director of the Departmental Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation + Dorval R. Carter, Jr. Carter, Immediate Past Chair, APTA; and President, Chicago Transit Authority + Travis Stovall, Vice Chair for Public Transit, United States Conference of Mayors, and Mayor, City of Gresham, Oregon + Eileen Higgins, County Commissioner, Miami-Dade County + Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation + Christopher C., Acting Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation Learn more about the full #APTAmobility24 program > https://lnkd.in/edtDZkvN

An observation...given that rail and funding thereof is not devolved to Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government Jo Stevens and there has been a clear and ongoing relative "under investment" in Wales measures in the £Bns, I am concerned that both the Westminster Transport Committee ( Ruth Cadbury etc) and the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom new Capital Review Panel lack any formal Welsh representation. Now the membership of both groups is very impressive...but I note all advice and decisions have an emotional component and that such will (as has been the case in the past) lack any empathy for Wales. Further, thanks to Lou Haigh (very disappointed in recent events) for plans for a new English Transport Strategy (long overdue)- However we have had such in Wales for a few years but lack formal powers/funding to properly implement. The new DfT Capital Funding panel (including Ben Plowden Glenn Lyons Dix Michèle Nicola Kane Adam Tranter Thomas Forth etc ) may benefit from a quick read of>>> https://lnkd.in/eGYduf2f

Did you know that today is World UFO Day? 🛸 Me neither! But in an attempt to keep my 10-year old amused during the summer holidays, I let him loose on Canva to create a graphic (below) to help me illustrate what I fully admit is a tenuous transport link........ But needs must and now that this has hopefully grabbed your interest - could you spare some time to help RIA Scotland' #Innovation Working Group make the Scottish and wider UK rail sector 'out of this world'?! 🚆💡 Specifically for my rail-focussed colleagues: RIA Scotland is conducting a brief survey to understand the opportunities and barriers to innovation within the rail sector in Scotland and the broader UK, as part of an initiative by its Innovation Workstream members. Innovation here is broadly defined to include not just product development but also new behaviours, funding methods, delivery systems, and solutions, all driven by a collective mindset and collaborative approach. The initiative emphasises the importance of progressing towards a net-zero future while staying within budget constraints and using transformative processes. The collected data will be used to create a white paper highlighting successful examples, which will be leveraged to gain support and identify barriers to improve perceptions among industry clients, decision-makers, funders, the public, and elected representatives regarding innovative approaches in the rail industry. The survey is designed to be quick to complete, and participant input is considered highly valuable for fostering a better environment for future innovation in the industry. Please could you spare less than 10 minutes of your time to complete the survey by 23:59 on the 5th July. Survey link: https://lnkd.in/e4bZGjEG Thank you and 'peace out'! Bob Docherty Andrea Green Gordon Wright Senaka Herath-Jayakoddy Stephen Nicholson Milda Manomaityte Railway Industry Association

This article reinforces transport's powerful role in place-making. Within my team, and through the work that we do, we can see this on a much more local level - within the transport hubs and stations themselves. When looking at revenue generation, we recognise a station's 'place' and how it fits with customers, communities, and transport links. How does it work now? How could it work in the future? How can we build upon the offering, help to generate sustainable revenue, and increase the social value of our stations and interchanges for both local and wider regional communities.

The future of Øresund’s connectivity everyone is talking about! Will there be any new fixed connection across or under the Öresund, and if so where? That is the question since Denmark clearly said no to a combined train and car connection between Helsingborgs stad and Helsingør Kommune The Swedish government has tasked the Swedish Transport Administration Trafikverket with investigating the capacity and redundancy of the transport system in the Öresund region, and the conclusions of the investigation are expected to be made public later this spring. As for today, there are three different options for a future fixed connection on the table: HH-Link: A fixed link between Danish Helsingør and Swedish Helsingborg for cars and trains. Europasporet: A freight trains tunnel between Landskrona and Copenhagen. The Öresund Metro: An underground metro connection between Copenhagen and Malmö. Interestingly, Malmö stad and Københavns Kommune are seeing the most benefits for the metro connection, while the HH-Link has its champions in northern Öresund. And here, Europaspåret, is gaining momentum with endorsements from Lunds kommun and indirect support from SJ AB and Green Cargo highlighting the need for a solution that accommodates increasing freight volumes. Credit: EFN Ekonomikanalen #OresundNewLink #Integration #Denmark #Sweden #dkpol #sepol ___ 👍 Like if you find value, re-post to build awareness♻️, and follow for more inspiration, interesting rail, and innovation insights.

Development without nearby access to rail beit people or goods, is unsustainable. Land is precious, land use and planning should be directed to work for the common good which responsibly takes into account environment, social and economic issues balanced. Alas, we are far from joined-up-thinking or planning. BRTA will continue to add its voice no matter what colour gets elected. Things to help can be done, but politicians for ideological reasons or none, do otherwise. We have to rebuild/new-buil local rail solutions and reopenings and get the tracks going where the main road arterys are like A27, M1, A14 for example. https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr