BLOG: Putting the social into sustainability
Social sustainability is possibly the least defined element within the sustainability debate, or at the very least often attracts a smaller amount of attention.
People's minds often automatically go to the environment, an undoubtedly important element of sustainability which is underpinned by environmental legislation and guidance. But what about the 'social' pillar?
The classic three pillar diagram of sustainable development shows that we need all three elements to achieve the …
BLOG: "Maybe the region’s next transformational rail project begins here…"
No sooner is the ink dry on EEH’s first phase of its Rail Study and it’s already ‘all aboard’ for Phase 2.
This project is concerned with the economics of the Heartland’s railway, in other words, if we crank up the rail offering where do we get our greatest ‘bang for our buck’?
The Phase 1 study shone the spotlight on parts of the region where journeys by rail are …
Passenger Rail Study 'vital for improving understanding of future needs'
The Passenger Rail Study Phase One, conducted by Network Rail in collaboration with EEH, is a baseline assessment and review of the existing rail network and levels of service in the region.
This process has enabled EEH to identify and understand where significant rail connectivity gaps exist, what rail enhancements are in development or delivery and what decarbonised/non decarbonised services there are on the network. The outputs from it …
BLOG: Realising our founders' vision
Every idea has a moment in time when it first surfaces.
It was the autumn of 2014 when Cllrs Jim Harker, Ian Hudspeth and Martin Tett conceived the idea of a grouping of like-minded political and business leaders coming together in a strategic partnership: an idea that would quickly become England's Economic Heartland.
At the heart of their initiative was the recognition that:
- Strategic infrastructure issues (and solutions) extend beyond …
Graduate civil engineer wins EEH Vision 2050 competition
England's Economic Heartland has announced the winner of its Vision 2050 competition, which encouraged a fresh perspective on the future of the region's transport system from students, graduates, apprentices and others new to the sector.
Emily Seabrook, a graduate civil engineer at Skanska, was chosen by a renowned judging panel for her holistic approach to connectivity, focusing on better access and connectivity throughout the Heartland region, maximising and complementing …
BLOG: Why we've chosen two pathways to decarbonisation
One of the main ambitions set out in EEH’s Draft Transport Strategy is for the region’s transport system to be ‘net-zero carbon’ by 2050 at the latest.
This implies a substantial change in the vehicle fleet towards zero-emission vehicles, coupled with technological solutions to improve both vehicle efficiencies and the use of the road and rail networks, and promoting behaviour change of drivers and passengers to reduce the number and …
Universities collaboration signposts pathways to decarbonisation
As part of the evidence base for Draft Transport Strategy, EEH commissioned the universities of Oxford and Southampton to show how net zero transport emissions from transport can be achieved no later than 2050.
Pathways to Decarbonisation maps the EEH road and rail transport network and uses advanced modelling to demonstrate a variety of 'pathways' EEH could take to achieve a net zero carbon transport system by 2050.
The …
WITH WEBINAR: EEH launches bold Draft Transport Strategy to underpin green recovery
A bold new strategy enabling the region's transport system to underpin a green recovery from COVID-19 and support sustainable economic growth has been launched today (July 14) for consultation.
The Draft Transport Strategy has been produced by England's Economic Heartland, the Sub-national Transport Body covering Swindon across to Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire down to Hertfordshire.
A global hub for science and technology businesses, the Heartland is a net contributor to the …
BLOG: Making connectivity work for everyone
Connectivity is central to the way we live our lives; in fact, the modern world thrives on connectivity. It influences our decisions on where we live, the jobs we have and where we socialise. There isn't a day which goes by where we don't all, in some way, connect with others or to the services we need.
But what do we mean by connectivity? The challenge in defining connectivity is …
BLOG: We must seize opportunity to bake in new travel behaviours
The COVID19 pandemic has demonstrated our ability, as a nation, to achieve fundamental shifts in travel behaviour at scale and at pace. If the necessity and will is there, then change applied consistently at scale is not only possible but deliverable.
During this time, the impact on emissions has been significant. UK carbon emissions were down 31% in April when the most stringent of lockdown restrictions were in place. That's …
