England’s Economic Heartland has launched its Integration Taskforce, a panel of nationally renowned experts who will drive forward innovative approaches to transport integration in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
England’s Economic Heartland has launched its Integration Taskforce, a panel of nationally renowned experts who will drive forward innovative approaches to transport integration in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
Founding members of the taskforce were unveiled at the national Interchange Conference. It will be chaired by Stephen Joseph, a visiting professor at the University of Hertfordshire’s Smart Mobility Unit and chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport from 1988 to 2018. Stephen was awarded an OBE in 1996 for services to transport and the environment.
Members on the panel also include:
Further members of the taskforce will be announced in the coming days.
The Government has made the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor a national economic priority. With East West Rail accelerating towards delivery, alongside housing growth, new towns, airport expansion and Universal Studios, the region in uniquely well placed to be a trailblazer for realising the Government’s forthcoming Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS).
To illustrate the potential, new research from EEH reveals that:
The taskforce will support the development of EEH’s major integration programme to realise the benefits of the investment across the region. Its advice will cut across the themes of connectivity; growth, infrastructure; and innovation. While focused on the region, the principles and applications arising from EEH’s work will be of national interest.
Naomi Green, managing director of England’s Economic Heartland, said: “There is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to maximise the investment being made in the region and deliver a world class, sustainable, and integrated transport system. Crucially, this is about raising quality of life for people living and working here and helping to embed a regional ‘lifestyle offer’ - one that will attract and retain the people needed to sustain our future economic prosperity. Achieving this requires innovative approaches and genuine collaboration across the public and private sectors. That’s why I am so delighted with the taskforce that has been assembled. It includes some of the UK’s smartest minds on transport – innovative thinkers mixed with experts who know how to turn ideas into reality. We are incredibly grateful to Stephen and the taskforce members and we can’t wait to begin this exciting programme of work on behalf of the region.””
Stephen Joseph OBE, Chair of the Integration Taskforce said: “I’m delighted to be chairing the taskforce with industry colleagues to support the EEH Integration programme. Improved integration will enable the region to make the most of existing and upcoming infrastructure, support behaviour change, and ensure that the transport system benefits more people, communities, and businesses.”
“This is an opportunity to put innovative ideas in to practice. I’m determined that the taskforce will make a lasting contribution to the region’s transport system, while our collective work can also help guide national approaches to integration, and the implementation of the Integrated National Transport Strategy. I look forward to working closely with taskforce members to realise the potential of integrated transport in the region in the coming months.”
