CIHT releases transport manifesto for future governments

10/05/2024 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has released a manifesto calling for a series of bold policy changes based on a 'vision-led' approach.

New statutory requirements on resilience, the reinstatement of road safety targets and calls to explore road user charging systems are all part of the CIHT's calls to any future government.

With a general election due this year, A transport network fit for all our futures outlines policies focused on six strategic objectives:

  • Our transport networks are resilient
  • The transport sector decarbonises in line with legally binding obligations
  • Everyone has the opportunity to travel sustainably
  • Everyone has the opportunity to travel safely and feel safe
  • There is a skilled workforce with the capacity and capability to deliver
  • Funding is reprioritised to support timely and effective delivery

CIHT chief executive Sue Percy CBE (pictured) said: 'A new clear and vision-led approach is needed from politicians and local and national governments.

'Good transport provides access to employment, goods, services and opportunities. How society invests in and uses the transport network also impacts on climate change and public health.”

'CIHT’s new manifesto shows how having effective highways and transportation networks and services can stimulate the UK economy, increase employment opportunities, improve air quality, deliver on net zero, improve the health of society, and make transport more accessible for all, alongside fixing the UK’s pothole crisis and strengthening other infrastructure.'

Key Manifesto action points:

1) Ensuring our transport networks are resilient

CIHT calls for:

· Transport resilience assessments to be made a statutory requirement for all transport asset owners and for a dedicated fund to be established to support projects to mitigate vulnerable areas.

· Highway and transport authorities and other stakeholders should put Green and Blue Infrastructure at the heart of local policy and make it a core component of their activity.

· Future governments to support the necessary legislative and physical environment changes to enable trialling and use of innovations across the strategic and local highways and transport networks.

2) Ensure the transport sector decarbonises in line with legally binding obligations

CIHT calls for decision-makers to:

· Demonstrate a clear and credible pathway to net zero take action to address both transport supply and travel demand.

· Use their future purchasing power to make carbon reduction a requirement.

· Show political leadership to provide good governance of the types, quality and availability of data captured, and machine learning and AI developments.

3) Ensure everyone can travel sustainably

CIHT calls for the party manifestos to:

· Commit to making an appropriate place-based sustainable transport hierarchy a reality.

· Advocate for real change in the planning system to enshrine the principles of integrated land use and transport planning with real choices and appropriate alternatives to private car use.

· Make our streets, towns and neighbourhoods accessible to all and address transport-related social exclusion.

4) Ensure everyone can travel safely and feel safe

CIHT calls for future governments to:

· Reintroduce national and local road safety targets and ensure local authorities have the funds to share and implement best practice in responding to those targets.

· Demonstrate leadership in road safety by showing what 'right speeds in the right places' means in practice with clearer guidance on speed limit setting for local authorities.

· Recognise the highway network as a place of employment and work, and support more public awareness of the importance of road worker safety.

5) Ensuring there is a skilled workforce with the capacity and capability to deliver

CIHT calls for future governments to:

· Work with bodies like CIHT to develop and support a clear plan for appropriate national transport skills strategies.

· Work with the transport sector to invest in a broader range of professionals who are aware of the complex societal, environmental and economic challenges we face.

· Mandate that government contracts should require appropriately qualified professionals as part of the team.

6) Ensure funding is reprioritised to support timely and effective delivery

CIHT calls for future governments to:

· Examine alternative funding sources, new revenue streams, taxation and incentives, including filling the potential gap in road tax income caused by the transition to electric vehicles.

· Investigate mobility pricing such as a pay-per-mile scheme to help reduce congestion and meet environmental targets.

· Commit to a local roads investment strategy and provide clear, long-term aims on how we will use the transport network and support this with long-term transport investments (at least 10–20 years).

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW