Organisation of the 2018 North West Transport Lecture was led by the Transport Planning Society (TPS), in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).  150 people attended the event at Liverpool John Moores University.

It was the third year that the lecture had been held in memory of Alan Stilwell, former of Director for Integrated Transport at Merseytravel and Vice President of the ICE.  The theme of the lecture, Chaired by Lynda Addison (TPS Board Chair), was ‘The role of transport in re-balancing the economy’. The lecture included excellent talks by Cathy Miller,  Deputy Director for Cities, Places and Devolution, Department for Transport, Jon Spruce (Interim Strategy Director, Transport for the North), and Warren Marshall, Group Planning Director, Peel Ports Group.

Cathy Miller highlighted some of recent developments in appraisal, including new guidance on developing the Strategic Case, the introduction of the rebalancing toolkit and the respective roles of Transport for the North and Metro Mayors in cities where a devolution deal is in place. 

Jon Spruce set out the prime capabilities of the economy in the North and clarified key priorities, including Northern Powerhouse Rail, seven Strategic Development Corridors, development of the Major Road Network and roll out of the Integrated and Smart Travel Programme.  Initial results from the consultation on the draft Strategic Transport Plan were also set out.

Warren Marshall highlighted the benefits that would result from more freight entering the UK at ports in the North, including reduced vehicle mileage, reduced CO₂emissions and lower operating costs.  He also presented case studies of investments made by the private sector, in conjunction with complementary schemes funded by the public sector (e.g. investment at the Port of Heysham in connection with the Heysham to M6 Link Road).

The event concluded with a lively Q&A Chaired by Lynda Addison.

Special thanks to our speakers, Liverpool John Moores University for hosting the event and the sponsors (AECOM, Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA).

To download the presentations click here

Cathy Miller.pdf

Jon Spruce.pdf

 Warren Marshall.pdf