People and organisations making “a real difference” to transport and road safety across the UK were recognised at the 2015 National Transport Awards in London on 8 October.
Hosted by Rory Bremner, the awards attracted more than 800 senior transport professionals to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the event, including transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin who gave the keynote address.
Ealing Council, fresh from winning the Fleet Safety Analysis and Action Award at the Fleet Safety awards, took the prestigious Transport Local Authority of the Year award in recognition of a host of initiatives promoting safety and sustainable travel.
The council’s recent achievements include a complete redesign of Southall Broadway using shared space principles and a "boulevard concept" which has increased pedestrian and cycle priority without adversely affecting other traffic.
The council has also worked with bus operators to identify bus route delay hotspots and find solutions, and lobbied successfully to maximise the benefits of both HS2 and Crossrail in the borough.
Brighton & Hove City Council won the Excellence in Cycling and Walking award, fending off competition from Luton Borough Council, who were highly commended.
Brighton & Hove City Council hosts free adult cycle training and cycle maintenance courses. The council has also made cycling safer in the city by developing cycle lanes, many of which form part of the national and regional cycle route network.
It has also developed a comprehensive ‘City Cycle Facilities Map’ which highlights where cycle facilities including cycle parking, counters, cycle routes and ‘toucan’ crossings are located.
Glasgow City Council won the Road Safety, Traffic Management & Enforcement award for its Commonwealth Games route network and traffic management plans.
Central to the success was a sustainable transport system for the Games, which included the dedicated games route network and traffic management plans as well as studies into low emission fleets, and the development of ‘Low Emission Zones’ around venues and the Athletes’ Village.
It also set up the ‘Get Ready Glasgow’ campaign, helping to minimalise the effects of road closures and transport alterations for those who live and work in the city.
Patrick McLoughlin MP, transport secretary, said: “Britain is on the move. Whether we are commuting to work, visiting friends and family or just heading out to the shops to put food on the table, we all depend on transport. On average, we each travel over 6,500 miles every year. And it’s as a result of personal travel and the movement of the products we buy and sell that we keep our economy growing.”
Click here for a full list of winners.
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