October 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference focuses on the next steps for developing the transport system in Wales - bringing together key stakeholders with policymakers.
The conference will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to examine the next Wales Transport Strategy - drawing together issues following the Government’s consultation on its scope ahead of the publication of the National Transport Delivery Plan.
The discussion at a glance:
- the Wales Transport Strategy - key priorities
- national transport infrastructure - next steps
- services - modernising the public transport system in Wales and improving regional connectivity
- stakeholder engagement - empowering local communities
- wellbeing - next steps for improving health and equality in Wales, and delivering the low-carbon transport transition
- COVID-19 - latest thinking on:
- impact - on transport and the services that support it in Wales, as well as those working in the sector, businesses involved in transport, and passengers, road users and active travel
- what can learned - from how transport services have adapted and from the behavioural change that has taken place
- the new normal? - to what degree will new habits and demands that have come to the forefront during the pandemic either change or remain embedded going forward
- support - the measures that will be needed to protect passengers and staff, and help the sector recover economically as services are restored
A scan of relevant policy developments:
- the Wales Transport Strategy - consultation on achieving key priorities including decarbonisation, modern and resilient infrastructure, and supporting economic growth throughout Wales
- PM launches review to boost connections across the UK - to be led independently by Sir Peter Hendy and including a look at journey times to North Wales, reviewing the Welsh railway network
- public investment - Substantial investment to improve public transport and support economic growth announced by Welsh Government and the Wales infrastructure investment plan
- Johnson confirms intention to overrule Welsh Government on transport - Nation.Cymru reporting on developments with the Internal Market Bill and that the PM would be minded to move forward infrastructure projects such as the M4 Relief Road
- COVID-19 - government support for public transport including maintaining train services and helping with rail service revenue loss, essential and key worker travel, and infrastructure projects
- buses - government support for school transport, protecting bus operators from losses due to the pandemic, and Putting Passengers First, a ‘toolkit’ to strengthen bus services in Wales
- active travel - consultation on revised delivery, planning and design guidance and views on how cycling and other active modes can be better promoted and supported
- health and wellbeing:
- the Clean Air Plan for Wales - including measures on active travel, rail services, decarbonisation, reducing personal vehicle use, and possible legislation
- the Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales plan - including investment in active travel and infrastructure
- Future Generations Commissioner urges Welsh Government to deliver on a green recovery budget the
The discussion in detail:
The Wales Transport Strategy - implementation - assessing how its priorities and long-term vision can be achieved:
- infrastructure - delivering upgrades for key parts of the transport network across strategic and local road networks, rail, and active travel
- investment - what will be required and where will it be sourced, looking at the contributions of the Welsh Government and elsewhere in the public and private sectors
- sustainability - improving public transport connectivity and uptake of low-carbon transport, including developing facilities for walking and cycling
- local engagement - involving councils, communities and businesses in addressing local transport capacity deficiencies and develop local transport plans
- economic benefits - priorities for system upgrades to help create a more prosperous Wales: connectivity for commerce and business, employment opportunities, and public services reliability
The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales
- key recommendations - examining proposals for the Welsh transport system in The commission’s provisional views on future infrastructure and priorities for further investigation:
- reducing regional inequalities - transport connectivity and economic development and how to improve the way that the network connects rural and suburban areas with cities
- the low-carbon transition - how it can be supported, including by developing infrastructure for enablers, such as electric vehicles and the installation of charging networks
- congestion - progress and best practice in its alleviation around city and major economic centres by expanding bus and rail networks
COVID-19 and resumption of public transport in Wales
- safety - priorities for protecting passengers and staff, both in the immediate and long term
- minimising service disruption - steps that rail franchises and other transport operators can take to implement social distancing whilst managing the impact on transport capacity and frequency
- support - what is most needed, financially and operationally, for transport providers and others in the sector
- the future of connectivity - serving changes in demand, with potential increase in home and blended working and the emergence of new centres for economic activity
Active travel
- consultation - on reforming active travel guidance
- planning and design - support for development of appropriate facilities for walking and cycling
- cooperation - strategies for bringing together local stakeholders and designers and engineers
- accessibility - including improvements to maps and travel route information
The public transport system
- design - how key areas around accessibility, connectivity, high capacity and improvement of passenger experiences can be prioritised
- strategic and integrated transport networks - improving intermodal travel and rural and suburban connectivity, and the example of the North Wales Metro
Health, equality and wellbeing
- low-carbon transport and infrastructure - priorities for investment and the opportunities for expanding job opportunities, skills, and healthier commuting
- air quality - looking at improvement in suburban and major economic zones steps and the impact on public health in Wales
- priorities for collaborative action - supporting walking and cycling facilities, transitioning to low-carbon forms of public transport, and protecting the health of communities and the vulnerable
The agenda:
- A new Wales Transport Strategy to deliver a greener and just transport system in Wales
- Priorities for decarbonising transportation, creating a resilient network, and contributing to the low-carbon transition and a greener Wales
- What is needed to achieve key social and economic objectives - widening connectivity, inclusive economic growth, benefiting communities across Wales, and new priorities in light of the pandemic
- Transport infrastructure in Wales - improving connectivity, engagement, and opportunities to drive growth and contribute to local communities
- Designing accessible, connected, and high capacity public transport - metro schemes, intermodal travel and expanded passenger options, and restoring services in the wake of COVID-19
- Joining up transport policy with improving health and wellbeing, and achieving social goals in Wales - air quality, employment opportunities, and addressing regional economic disparities
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from the Senedd; the Welsh Government; the Welsh European Funding Office; The Planning Inspectorate for Wales; Natural Resources Wales; the Department for Transport; the ORR; the Competition and Markets Authority; the DWP; UK Government and the Valuation Office Agency. Also due to attend are representatives from the ACT; Amey; Arcadis; Atkins; Cardiff Capital Region City Deal; Cardiff Council; Crumlin Navigation Community trust; Neath Port Talbot Council; Network Rail; North And Mid Wales Association Of Local Councils With Cambrain Lines; Nottingham Trent University; Quinn Infrastructure Services; Siemens Mobility; The Safety Letterbox Co; Vortex IoT; Wrexham Council and YGC - Gwynedd Council.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
