{"id":5242,"date":"2025-01-14T12:32:35","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westerngatewaystb.org.uk\/?p=5242"},"modified":"2025-01-14T12:35:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T12:35:00","slug":"western-gateway-stbs-2024-transport-triumphs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westerngatewaystb.org.uk\/western-gateway-stbs-2024-transport-triumphs\/","title":{"rendered":"Western Gateway STB’s 2024 transport triumphs"},"content":{"rendered":"
2024 was full speed ahead for Western Gateway STB. From hosting our first ever coach forum, to writing a long-term Strategic Transport Plan and getting over 150 sign ups on our Carbon Assessment Playbook, it\u2019s been jam-packed.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list of the best bits:<\/p>\n
The mammoth task of writing a long-term Strategic Transport Plan was achieved last May. The plan involved conversations with our nine authorities and transport partners, multiple monthly meetings, 17 drafts and countless cups of coffee. But the hard work paid off, and the document was finalised in just under six months of (very intensive!) work. The shiny plan identifies the specific transport challenges we face in our region. It looks at tackling rural mobility, connectivity gaps, journey time reliability and the impact of seasonal tourism \u2013 to name a few. It sets out the transport ambitions that benefit our region socially, economically and environmentally, improving transport for everyone while lowering the environmental impact.<\/p>\n
Read our STP here<\/a><\/p>\n Over the second half of 2024, we developed our draft Strategic Investment Plan to deliver on the vision of the STP. This is currently out for consultation<\/a> until 2nd<\/sup> February.<\/p>\n In January, we hosted our first ever South West coach forum. This was also a first in the land of strategic transport bodies \u2013 an achievement applauded by the Minister for Transport at the STB conference in March. Our in-person forum at Bristol Aerospace in May saw operators, officers and industry experts from across the region come together to identify key challenges in the industry (and have a peek on board one of the last Concordes while we were there!). The group identified three priority work areas that we are now taking forward.<\/p>\n Our next coach forum will take place in Bath on11th March 2025. If you\u2019d like to come along, drop us an email at westerngatewaystb@westofengland-ca.gov.uk<\/p>\n In October, we released The Carbon Assessment Playbook, developed by England\u2019s Sub-national Transport Bodies,\u00a0to help inform the development of our authorities\u2019 local transport plans. Over 150 officers across our nine local authorities signed up to the tool (phew!), showing our commitment to carbon reduction across the region.<\/p>\n Throughout 2024, we continued to progress on our joint freight project with Peninsula Transport. The year two progress report<\/a> was published in July, and we hosted many events for the South West freight forum ,which is attended on average by 40+ people from a variety of organisations and departments. Keep an eye out on our website and social media streams to hear about where freight is travelling in 2025.<\/p>\n The Western Gateway team grew with the recruitment of Hattie James, our Transport Officer, and Jessica Holroyd, Our Project Officer. And just missing by a week but sliding into January 2025 is Allan Creedy, our new Lead Officer. By building a bigger workforce, we can continue to support our partners and fuel our transport aspirations for the region. We also welcomed three students from the University of Gloucester to carry out internships with us in November, who each brought enthusiasm and support. We hope we can inspire the next generation to work in transport!<\/p>\n Read more about the team here.<\/a><\/p>\n Local elections in some of our partner Authorities in May brought some new elected members to the Western Gateway board<\/a>. We were pleased to welcome Cllr Ed Plowden (Bristol, Green), Cllr Jon Andrews (Dorset, Lib Dem), Cllr Tamara Reay (Wiltshire, Cons) and Cllr Kye Dudd (representing the WEMCA Mayor). We also extend our thanks to past and continuing Board members.<\/p>\nCoach forum<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Carbon Assessment Playbook<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Freight <\/strong><\/h2>\n
A growing Western Gateway team<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
What\u2019s our direction for 2025?<\/strong><\/h2>\n