With 620 miles of motorway and strategic A-roads, as well as one of the largest networks of local roads in the UK, the South West faces major challenges with its highways. From handling the levels of transport on the roads, improving resilience in the face of more extreme weather events or equipping the network for a sustainable future, it feels like we have reached a pivotal moment in the evolution of our road transport.
In the latest episode of the Beyond Brunel podcast, hosted by Christopher Ackland, Richard Stevens, Managing Director of Plymouth CityBus (Go South West) and Jason Humm, Director of Transport and Highways at Gloucestershire County Council discuss the challenges and opportunities for the region’s highways network.
Exploring the critical issues
The podcast highlights the critical role our highways play in connecting communities and facilitating economic growth but also the complexities of accommodating traffic, enabling better public transport solutions, and improving the quality and maintenance of the network, especially in the face of more extreme weather events which can cause degradation in the infrastructure.
The discussion looks at strategies to make the highway network more sustainable while understanding the needs of roads users and passengers. The guests also tackle the implications of increased electric vehicle usage and how the implementation of sustainable solutions can be funded.
Rethinking our own habits
As the guests navigate the complexities of the South West’s transport landscape, there is a clear call to action that things need to change to create a network that serves all sectors of the community while also being both sustainable and fit-for-purpose, as Richard Stevens explained:
“If we’re really and genuinely going to shift the dial on sustainable transport for all, then we’ve got to stop being critical about the reason for travel and start looking at the solutions to travel. That’s where we have to go. If we criminalise or we demonise car drivers, we’re not going to win this battle. We’re not going to get ourselves to a cleaner, greener life. We have to bring everybody along in the party, and everybody’s going to have to bear some pain, and everybody’s going to expect to gain something in return.”
Listen now
Tune in to Beyond Brunel to hear enlightening discussion on the way ahead for the region’s vital infrastructure.
All episodes of Beyond Brunel can be accessed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The podcast is supported by ICE South West and produced by Fresh Air Studios in Plymouth.