Event details
Join this dynamic conference where we delve into the spending and projects shaping the UK highways and transport networks. From electric to combustion vehicles and active travel, we're ensuring a sustainable network for safe travel for years to come.
A robust highway system plays a crucial role in economic growth, job creation, and community connectivity. Last year, local authorities invested £4.5 billion in road maintenance, with £2.7 billion designated for structural treatment, £1.3 billion for routine and other treatments, and £0.5 billion for highways maintenance policy and strategy. National Highways matched this investment at £4.4 billion, demonstrating a serious commitment to road fitness.
Recent investments have prioritised decarbonisation and technological advancements. For instance, transport for the North's Strategic Transport Plan aims to foster sustainable economic growth through connectivity initiatives. With significant funding from the £4.7 billion Local Transport Fund, the North and Midlands will witness substantial improvements in local transport links, including road and rail upgrades from 2025 to 2032. Additionally, Network Rail has earmarked £45.4 billion for railway enhancement projects under this current control period (CP7), beginning in March 2024, to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable railway system.
With the responsibility falling on a select few, join this thought-provoking online conference to engage with industry experts and authorities, explore interactive panel discussions, and gain key insights into shaping the future of transportation.
Register now to be part of the conversation.
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WHO ATTENDS
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08:55 AM - 09:25 AM
Future Proofing Transport Networks
The introduction of the £4.7 billion Local Transport Fund will substantially boost funding levels for local transport links in the North and Midlands, multiplying by nine times from 2025 to 2032. This empowers local leaders to enhance roads, junctions, mass transit, lighting, and EV infrastructure. Levelling Up Fund 2 allocates £19.5 million for 92 EV charging points and 52 zero-emission buses in North East England, cutting 7797 tonnes of CO2. Alongside this, Transport for the North (TfN) has released an ambitious plan for sustainable economic growth, emphasising the importance of improved connectivity to stimulate economic activity and facilitate transport decarbonisation.
This panel aims to discuss strategies for future-proofing UK transport networks, current funding initiatives, and the significant influence Netzero has in future proofing the UKs Transport networks.
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09:35 AM - 10:05 AM
Digitalisation
Between 2015 and 2020, National Highways allocated over £120 million across 159 innovation initiatives through the Innovation and Modernisation Fund. The vision for Digital Roads extends past 2025, aiming towards 2050 and beyond. Embracing digitalisation promises to unlock additional value from road investments. We stand at the dawn of a digital revolution in road infrastructure, anticipating more transformation in the next decade than witnessed in the past century. This presents a unique opportunity to enhance road safety, elevate customer experience for all users, and align with the objectives for achieving net zero emissions.
Join this panel to explore future strategies for implementing digitalisation in highways and transportation networks.
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10:40 AM - 11:10 AM
Multi-modal
New technologies are revolutionising transportation, promising cleaner, safer, and quieter streets. The UK's Department for Transport (DfT) spearheads this transition, targeting net zero emissions and innovation. A 75% increase in rail freight capacity by 2050 underscores sustainability goals, reducing carbon emissions. However, challenges demand strategic planning and investment. In the North East, £163.5 million enhances bus services, while a £7 billion allocation in 2022 upgrades local transport, lowering fares and relieving living costs. This funding also boosts tram, cycling, walking, and rail networks, benefiting thirty-one regions through the government's bus transformation program, crucial for achieving 'Net Zero' in transportation.
This panel aims to discuss advancements in multi-modal transportation and funding's impact on improving public and goods transportation journeys.
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11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Decarbonisation and Biodiversity
National Highways aims to achieve no net loss of biodiversity by 2025, having planted over 260 hectares of species-rich grassland. The Environment and Wellbeing Fund invested £69.2 million in 274 projects to reduce noise, enhance biodiversity, and mitigate water outfalls and flooding, while reducing the UK's carbon footprint. The Environment Act 2021 will soon mandate 10% biodiversity net gain for planning permissions in England. Government funding supports innovative projects to decarbonise UK highways, aligning with the Net Zero by 2050 goal. Network Rail's £45.4 billion five-year plan prioritises efficiency and environmental sustainability, focusing on improving train performance and resilience to climate change while delivering top service to passengers.
Attend this panel discussion to explore initiatives and the ongoing developments towards decarbonisation and biodiversity conservation in transport networks and highways.
Stephen Elderkin Director of Environmental Sustainability National HighwaysStephen Elderkin current role is as Director of Environmental Suitability at National Highways. The Environmental and Sustainability division which Stephen leads at National Highways works with its executive directors and board on the 2050 net zero target and bring together its environmental teams and carbon team into one central division, raising the profile of environment within the organisation and creating additional capacity and capability. Before joining National Highways, his career focused on environmental sustainability, including within central government. His roles included leading the government analysis for the Climate Change Act, carbon budgets and energy efficiency policies.
Ian Hawthorn Assistant Director - Highways London Borough of Hammersmith and FulhamIan Hawthorn is the Assistant Director of Highways for London Borough of Hammersmith. Within his current role he leads on Greening the grey agenda, EV Charging, Hammersmith Bridge, Flood Risk, Network Management, Contract Management and Green infrastructure including street trees. Along with this Ian is also Chair of the Councils Climate adaptation Steering group, current Chair of the London Technical Advisory Group, London Highways Engineers Group and Member of Roads UK Board.
Nigel Riglar Director of Environment and Community Services South Gloucestershire CouncilAs Director of Environment and Community Services at South Gloucestershire Council, Nigel is responsible for the Council's placed based services such as, planning, strategic infrastructure, highways, transport, economic development, waste, climate change, environmental services, regulatory services, community safety and development. Nigel has held this position since 2018, previous roles include Commissioning Director for Communities and Infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council and Deputy Chief Executive for Stroud District Council.
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12:50 PM - 13:20 PM
Road Safety
In March 2024, the government allocated £38.3 million, to improve safety on 17 of the country's most dangerous roads. This forms part of a £185.8 million investment aimed at preventing over 2,600 fatal and serious injuries over the next 20 years. From Devon to Durham, 99 roads across England will undergo safety upgrades. Over the next two decades, these improvements are expected to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries, potentially by up to 30.8% on certain roads. Measures include new junctions and roundabouts, improved signage and road markings, updated road surfacing and landscaping, and better pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes. This additional funding is predicted to save 385 lives and also improve congestion, journey times, emissions, and economic growth.
Join this panel to learn more about these crucial safety enhancements happening nationwide, spurred by a recent surge in funding.