Nick Richardson of Mott MacDonald has been elected  as Chair of the Transport Planning Society following its AGM on 21st February.  Nick takes over the two-year post from Keith Buchan who will remain on the board for a further year to provide continuity on key initiatives of the society. 

Nick said of his appointment:

‘I am particularly pleased to be taking on the role of Chair at a time when transport planning is becoming critical – our skills are needed more than ever at a time both to address some very high profile issues and local transport pressures.  The links between transport and economic growth need to be continually reinforced.

‘We need to raise our profile to respond to a changing agenda and to address some key issues including peak oil, traffic congestion and car dependency, proper integration of land use and transport planning, and sustainable measures that support economic growth in an appropriate way.  We also need to remember that climate change is still a major issue that will affect everyone and that sustainable transport is a key element of a programme that addresses it.’

To address key issues and provide a society which is invaluable to its members, Nick plans to:

• Maintain a high profile series of TPS events, including those for the Regions and Nations, to share knowledge, promote discussion and understand views of the profession.  
• Continue to promote the skills initiatives, particularly the Professional Development Scheme for transport planners and the recently refreshed Transport Planning Professional qualification;
• Build on the links with TPS corporate and stakeholder members, sponsoring organizations, academics, parliamentarians and others;
• Ensure that individual members are able to contribute to and define the Society’s future direction including through the TPS bursary papers; and,
• Raise the profile of transport planning and the TPS.