Local Transport Today is the authoritative, independent journal for transport decision makers. Analysis, Comment & News on Transport Policy, Planning, Finance and Delivery since 1989.

TfL and boroughs explore new cycle scheme delivery models

09 March 2015
TfL: assisting boroughs with Quietway delivery
TfL: assisting boroughs with Quietway delivery

 

Transport for London, London Councils' and individual boroughs are exploring how expertise can be pooled to deliver the capital’s expanding programme of cycling schemes, as well as other transport projects. 

Julian Bell, the leader of the London Borough of Ealing, told the London Assembly’s transport committee recently: “We have been having discussions and working with TfL to look at ways in which we can pool some of those officers with the technical capabilities to deliver the mini-Hollands [cycle programme] and the other infrastructure projects that we are working on.”

Councillors in the London Borough of Lewisham this week heard about possible difficulties delivering TfL’s proposed Quietways programme of cycle routes in the borough. In a report to the council, TfL says: “An internal re-organisation within Lewisham, resulting in key members of staff leaving, poses a significant risk to delivery. TfL will be arranging a meeting with the borough to discuss how TfL and the [Quietways] delivery agent [Sustrans] can assist the borough with delivery.”

Spencer Palmer, London Councils’ director of transport and mobility, told LTT this week that the cycling discussions were part of a broader initiative, the Sharing Skilled Transport Staff Initiative, which is led by London Councils and brings together TfL and individual boroughs. Rob Leak, the chief executive of Enfield, and London Councils’ lead officer for transport, is chairing the working group that oversees the project.

Palmer said the initiative had been set up because many boroughs have lost in-house transport expertise as a result of retirements and cutbacks, and may not have the experts needed for specific pieces of work. 

“The idea is how can we work more collaboratively, sharing staff and expertise between boroughs, with TfL and outside external support,” he said. Secondments, job swaps, graduate programmes, and apprenticeships were all items on the agenda.

On cycling, Palmer said that David Rowe, TfL’s head of local projects and programmes, was leading work on how to assist boroughs with mini-Holland funding. 

“It’s a really good opportunity to pilot this shared approach, to see if project teams can be resourced from different parties,” said Palmer. “A borough may only need a cycle scheme designer or a traffic order specialist for part of the project.”

To inform the wider Sharing Skilled Transport Staff Initiative, TfL sent out a survey to boroughs in December to identify their capacity issues. Palmer said he understood 20 boroughs had responded and the survey results would inform the next steps in the initiative.

Palmer is also involved in the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation’s skills initiative, which includes plans for a mentoring scheme for new entrants to the profession.

 

Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Senior Transport Planner
Wigan Council
Wigan
Grade 9, £37,336 - £42,403 per annum.
View all Vacancies
 
Search
 
 
 

TransportXtra is part of Landor LINKS

© 2024 TransportXtra | Landor LINKS Ltd | All Rights Reserved

Subscriptions, Magazines & Online Access Enquires
[Frequently Asked Questions]
Email: subs.ltt@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7959

Shop & Accounts Enquires
Email: accounts@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7855

Advertising Sales & Recruitment Enquires
Email: daniel@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7861

Events & Conference Enquires
Email: conferences@landor.co.uk | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7865

Press Releases & Editorial Enquires
Email: info@transportxtra.com | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7091 7875

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Advertise

Web design london by Brainiac Media 2020