Western Gateway STB

On 20 March 2025, our Technical Lead, James White (who also serves as Co-Chair of the Severnside Community Rail Partnership), attended the CrossCountry Community Rail Conference in #York. The event explored how CrossCountry is enhancing its services, and also celebrated the inspiring community rail projects making a real difference. From bee-walking trails and storytelling initiatives to revitalizing station buildings and marking Railway 200, the day was packed with creativity and collaboration. A huge thanks to CrossCountry for supporting Community Rail Partnerships - your funding is helping to bring these projects to life! 🚄💙 And outside the conference? York’s streets showcased a greener future in motion, with fleets of electric buses zipping through the city! ⚡🚌 #CommunityRail #Railway200 #CrossCountry #rail #railway #train #transport #travel

#Salisbury Station, a vital hub on the West of England Line, is set for significant transformation as passenger numbers surge and strategic rail projects take off. Learn more and read the study on our website >> https://lnkd.in/ephU5sNx #rail #transport

When we spoke about going beyond boundaries, we really didn't expect to get website hits from Ireland to Italy and Indonesia! Here at Western Gateway, we collaborate with local authorities, operators and other stakeholders to improve the transport network for everyone in our region and those travelling through it. Find out more at >> https://lnkd.in/d-rS5DDw #transport #STB

Did you know that we're creating the first coach strategy of any Sub-national transport body?! Today, we welcomed over 30 people at our Coach forum in Bath, to talk through just that, and host a number of exciting speakers. It's been a jam-packed agenda, with an overview of our strategy so far, and talks from CPT, Bristol Airport, the Bath Bus Company Business Overview and FlixBus - phew! There's also been a Q&A session, roundtable and a walking visit to check out the Bath Coach facilities. Thanks to everyone who came to the event 🚌 If you'd like to hear more about our work on coach and join a future forum, get in touch with the team at westerngatewaystb@westofengland-ca.gov.uk

🚀 How much can you learn in a five to ten-minute conversation? Quite a lot! 🤝Our Project Manager Mena Abidakun , had an incredible time earlier today representing #Western Gateway STB at the #UniversityofGloucestershire Practice/Career Day 2025. It was a great opportunity to engage with talented students and recent graduates, sharing insights into transport careers, internship opportunities, and the transformative work we’re leading in the Western Gateway region. The enthusiasm and curiosity of the next generation of transport professionals were truly inspiring! From discussions about the role of #Sub-national Transport Bodies (STBs) to exploring career pathways in the industry, the conversations were engaging, insightful, and full of ambition. As first-time participants at #UniversityofGloucestershire’s practice/career day, we were thrilled by the experience and are excited to build on this momentum. 🚂✨ Building on this, we're eager to continue supporting students and expanding our university partnerships across the Western Gateway region. We are calling on #UniversityoftheWestofEngland, #UniversityofBristol, #BathSpaUniversity, #BournemouthUniversity and #UniversityofBath to collaborate with us on: 📚 Short-term internships - providing students with industry exposure, networking opportunities, and essential skill development or 👥 Shadowing opportunities – allowing students to observe professionals in action and gain valuable industry insights rather than doing hands-on work. Together, let’s shape the future of transport! 🚆✨ If you're the right contact—or know someone who is—let’s connect! https://lnkd.in/eZyKr9aG A huge thank you to the organizers at #UniversityofGloucestershire for hosting us and to everyone who visited our booth for a chat. Let’s keep moving forward—together! 🙌. We hope we inspired students to explore a career in transportation! #CareerDay #FutureOfTransport #NextGenerationTalent #Transportation #CentreofExcellence #GreatConversations #FutureLeaders

Yesterday at the STB Conference, our Lead Officer, Allan Creedy joined lead officers and CEOs from the six other Sub-national Transport Bodies (STBs) to discuss key transport policy issues, including Transport Integration, Devolution, and delivering against the Government’s Missions. During discussions on the Department for Transport’s (DfT) emerging Integrated National Transport Strategy, he highlighted the importance of including Freight and Logistics—ensuring efficient and sustainable freight movement to boost supply chain productivity. On how STBs are working to deliver the Government’s Missions, he expanded on points made by fellow panelists, particularly in relation to Levelling Up and Infrastructure Investment—stressing the role of STBs in identifying and prioritising transport projects that enhance connectivity. He also underscored the importance of Strategic Transport Planning, ensuring that rural and disadvantaged urban areas have improved links to jobs, education, and healthcare. Additionally, he addressed Net Zero and Sustainability, focusing on Decarbonising Transport and supporting the rollout of EV charging networks at a regional level. Regarding Devolution, he shared how Western Gateway is working closely with partner authorities to be a strong and consistent voice for transport in the region. He also highlighted the need for clarity of roles as new policy changes emerge, ensuring STBs can effectively support Local Authorities. #Interchange #STBconference25 #WesterngatewaySTB #STBs #Manchester #LeadOfficer

Putting the weight behind #freight at the #STBConference. Here our Technical Lead, James, and Transport Officer, Hattie, give freight the feature it deserves, along with Ewan from Peninsula Transport and Jonathan from #Logistics UK. #transport #Interchange

#Interchange Day 2 Today our Lead Officer Allan Creedy will be joining the other STBs to have a discussion around delivering government missions and adding value regionally as well as discussing some of the issues of working to deliver the emerging #Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS). Also, our Technical Lead James White and our Transport Officer Hattie James will be on a panel to discuss all things Freight. Two great sessions happening this morning, please join us if you are here. #Interchange #Interchange25 #Manchester #SubnationalTransportBodies #STB #INTS #Freight

One of the panel sessions at the #Interchange #STB conference this morning was on leveraging the Integrated National Transport Strategy through collaboration. The talk included a chat from Lord McLoughlin of TfN, who stressed the importance of infrastructure approach and the role of devolution. Luke Turner,from the DfT, spoke about the importance of the strategy. He was followed by Guy Dangerfield of Transport Focus, who highlighted the passenger side of #transport, while Julian Worth of CILT raised the profile of freight. Our very own Technical Lead, James White, was then joined by Midlands Connect and our friends at Peninsula Transport to highlight the importance of STBs in all of this. James emphasised the need for a strong steer from local government and the influence STBs can have. Keen to find out more? Find out more about what we're up to at https://lnkd.in/eF8VkVs7

The sun is shining here in Manchester! We've travelled up from Bristol to visit and speak at the #STBConference, which is being hosted within the #Interchange conference. We'd love to chat with you all things #transport, so stop by our stand in the main exhibition hall and say hello!