Transport East

Insight from our travel behaviour survey is now available. In 2024, we set out to explore how people across the East make their everyday journeys, and the factors influencing their travel choices. Residents from all corners of the region participated in our Travel Behaviour Survey, offering valuable insights into: - The modes of transport they use in a typical week and their perceptions of these options.  - What is shaping their future travel decisions, including barriers to existing transport and ideas to encourage a shift to more sustainable or alternative options. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your experiences. The feedback provides an invaluable understanding of current travel patterns and highlights opportunities to improve transport across the region.  For the full report: https://lnkd.in/eavxQ2ec For a summary support: https://lnkd.in/eeCGCkpP For further information on the survey: https://lnkd.in/eZa_C_Ax

Our Chief Executive, Andrew Summers, has responded to today's announcement from the Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves: "We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to East West Rail (EWR). However, to fully realise its transformational ambition, it is essential that onward connections to the East are considered as the section to Cambridge is designed and delivered – including links to Ipswich, Norwich, and Stansted. "Our recent discussions with partners and business leaders from the East highlighted a strong appetite for enhanced growth along key rail corridors in the region, as well as a clear case for addressing the pinch points that currently constrain services. "With this in mind, we also remain committed to making the case for the Ely and Haughley Rail Capacity upgrades, where increased passenger capacity and improved rail freight connections are crucial. These enhancements will support the transport of materials vital to infrastructure projects and business investment across the UK. "We also note the commitment to securing private funding for the Lower Thames Crossing. This nationally significant project aims to reduce congestion on important corridors to facilitate national and regional growth, but more needs to be done to support local connections, mitigate the environmental impact and ensure new sustainable transport services are planned, which we can support through our evidence and tools. "We look forward to working with Government and our partners to ensure that the investment committed by the Chancellor today delivers the widest possible impact across the East". HM Treasury | Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom | East West Railway Company | England's Economic Heartland | Transport for the South East | Norfolk County Council | Suffolk County Council | Essex County Council | Thurrock Council | Southend-on-Sea City Council | Norfolk Chambers of Commerce | Suffolk Chamber of Commerce | Essex Chambers of Commerce & Industry

A recent report from Rail Partners on the need to make rail freight more competitive strengthens the case for investment in the key rail corridors in the East serving some of the nations biggest ports. Their recommendations include infrastructure investment at pinch-points along freight corridors including #Ely and #Haughley and electrification along lines from Felixstowe and Thames Ports. For the nation to grow, businesses need their supplies to get to them efficiently, greenly and cost effectively. Making rail freight more attractive is a win all round. Freeport East Thames Freeport Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Thames Estuary Growth Board

📣 Catch up on this week's transport and travel news from the East: - Colchester City Council launched a consultation to shape the future of St Botolph’s Quarter. Plans include a new public square behind Colchester Town Station: https://lnkd.in/e5N-4Aph - Greater Anglia has installed a new cycle hub at Bury St Edmunds rail station, in a £200,000 project funded with the help of the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom (through funds managed by Sustrans), Suffolk County Council, and West Suffolk Council: https://lnkd.in/eGgw6kKc - Braintree District Council launched a consultation on their local plan. Communities are encouraged to share their views as part of the development, including their views on transportation https://lnkd.in/e8mNGSSu

"To thrive, every area of the country needs a modern, sustainable and integrated transport network" An incredible day at our annual Transport East summit. Held on 16 January, the event demonstrated the critical role of transport in delivering a thriving East for communities and businesses. This year’s event was focused on Transport for a Thriving East, and highlighted how investment is essential for driving economic growth, improving regional connectivity, making places better for people and supporting national ambitions. The Summit welcomed the Minister for Local Transport, Simon Lightwood MP, alongside senior government officials, local leaders, business representatives, and transport experts to share their vision for unlocking the East’s potential. Thank you to our speakers for sharing their valuable views and expertise, and to everyone who attended to support our vision for a thriving East. Also thank you to our sponsors Greater Anglia, Arup and to Suffolk Chamber of Commerce for supporting us in delivering the event! Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eYQPBXmq

Last week we published the results of the region’s first-ever regional travel behaviour survey! This landmark survey demonstrates how residents across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend-On-Sea, and Thurrock regularly travel, the reasons for choosing a mode of transport and barriers which could be preventing them from alternative options. Key insights include: - Walking/wheeling is the most common travel option. - Private vehicles are the second most popular, both as a driver and a passenger. 63% of drivers say this is down to convenience. - Buses are the most frequently used public transport - yet only 25% of respondents regularly choose the bus - 44% of respondents own a bike, but only 9% use it regularly. - People who use rail services are satisfied, but are concerned about costs. - 6% currently own an EV, but 42% are considering purchasing in the next few years. - 68% think it's important to travel sustainably but only 33% think they do. Learn more about the insight gathered ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eZa_C_Ax

📣 Some of this week's transport and travel news from the region: - Greater Anglia is to fund 34 projects in a £350K boost to communities across its network. Grants have been awarded to a wide range of projects that benefit both the community and the railway - from small-scale station enhancements to integrated transport projects: https://lnkd.in/eGdHwAUm   - Improvements to bus services across Norfolk County Council are set to continue into 2025 with works starting on bus priority measures in Great Yarmouth and Norwich: https://lnkd.in/emJX52V2   - Several key transport projects in Southend-on-Sea City Council could receive new investment next year, including doubling the funds available to fix local roads and pavements up to March 2026: https://lnkd.in/eHNdwEPR

Happy New Year! 2024 was a landmark year for Transport East as we championed for better transport and travel across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock. Our Chief Executive Andrew Summers has shared highlights from the year, including: - welcoming Will Quince as our first Independent Chair - publishing our Rural Connections report - launching the region's first travel behaviour survey - supporting partners with their EV charging rollout, active travel plans and tackling transport-related social exclusion - celebrating transformative projects like the Herring Bridge and Gull Wing Bridge - and much more! You can read the full transcript, here: https://lnkd.in/egD4kyv7

Happy new year! 🥳 As we welcome a brand new year, we also welcome the celebration of 200 years of railways! Throughout 2025, we'll be sharing how rail has shaped the region, and what the future of rail could look like in the East 🚅 Railway 200

❄ Season's Greetings from the Transport East team! ❄ On behalf of everyone at Transport East, we hope you enjoy the festive period and wish you a Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support over the past year, we look forward to working with you in 2025 to enhance transport and travel in the East! Please note that our last working day will be Friday 20th December, and we’ll be back on Thursday 2nd January. Any emails we receive during this time will be responded to in the new year.   This time of year sees an increase in the number of journeys taking place. Be safe, check your route for disruptions before setting off and keep an eye on the weather forecast. - For the latest road traffic: https://lnkd.in/esM_pYey - For the latest travel updates from Greater Anglia: https://lnkd.in/ezPegqpS - For the latest travel updates from C2C: https://lnkd.in/eRwxU-wt