The Urban Transport Group (UTG) has signed up the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority, Leicester City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council as its newest members.
Their arrival takes to 19 the number of authorities within UTG. Each of the four local transport join as members, where they sit alongside the higher tier of principal member.
Director Jason Prince says of the news: “We are delighted that four new members are joining the Urban Transport Group at a truly transformative time for local transport across England.
“Each authority has bold plans for improving transport in their regions, and by joining UTG they can both learn from and share their knowledge with transport authorities that are facing similar challenges and opportunities.
“Our new members will undoubtedly strengthen the work UTG does as the UK’s network of transport authorities, and we look forward to supporting them to realise their ambitions.”
Of the newcomers, the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority (CWCA) was formed in February. It is working to improve how people travel in those areas, with a focus on making journeys quicker, more reliable and better connected.
That will be accomplished by improving local and regional transport links; strengthening connections between towns, rural areas and key economic centres; simplifying access to access jobs, education and services; and investing in infrastructure that supports growth, UTG says.
CWCA Interim Director of Transport Lawrence Wilson adds: “We are delighted to connect into a strong network of urban transport authorities and learn from established combined authorities as we develop our role in transport.
“We are looking forward to collaborating on common challenges such as buses, rail integration, demand management, decarbonisation, and supporting a more consistent voice from sub-national transport bodies into government.
“We bring the perspective of a new and developing combined authority shaping its transport function from the ground up, with strong links with constituent local authorities and an ability to bridge local and sub-regional priorities.”
