Who are Urban Transport Group?
We are the UK’s network of city region transport authorities.
We work collectively to ensure that transport plays its full part in making our cities greener, fairer, happier, healthier and more prosperous places.
We do this by:
Making the case for urban transport – in particular, the funding and powers our members need to plan and deliver transport networks that support inclusive and sustainable growth.
Providing thought leadership by making the connections between transport policy and wider public policy goals (including on health).
Serving as a professional network for people who work in urban transport in the public sector, and saving our members time and resources by accelerating the take up of best practice through sharing knowledge and expertise.
How has Urban Transport Group improved population health in the UK?
Transport is a key factor in determining population health. Our members work to make public transport, walking and cycling viable options for more journeys, bringing multiple benefits for health and wellbeing, as summarised in the diagram below. As a network, we seek to highlight the connections between transport and health through tools, resources, research and events.
Much of our collective work in this area has sought to support the transport and health sectors to understand one another and work together.
What has been your greatest achievement to date?
Urban Transport Group’s greatest achievement on health to date has been the creation of our online Health and Wellbeing Hub. The only resource of its kind, it provides a one-stop shop which brings together a wide range of resources that health and transport professionals need to understand one another, and to work more effectively together. The hub includes practical tools for collaboration, essential evidence, tools for impact assessment and useful infographics.
You can find it here:http://www.urbantransportgroup.org/resources/health-and-wellbeing
How many organisations/clients currently utilise the service/solution across the UK?
Between them our members serve more than twenty million people in Greater Manchester (Transport for Greater Manchester), Liverpool City Region (Merseytravel), London (Transport for London), Sheffield City Region (South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive), Tyne and Wear (Nexus), West Midlands (Transport for West Midlands) and West Yorkshire. Our wider network encompasses Strathclyde, Bristol and the West of England, Tees Valley and Nottingham.
In an independent survey, 87% of national stakeholders rated us as an effective advocate for the city regions on transport.
We have well established and productive relationships with all the key players determining the future of local transport policy.
Is there anything you would like to make delegates aware of ahead of the HiAP 2019 conference on 1st May?
Working with renowned public health expert Lucy Saunders, we are delivering ‘Healthy Streets for All’ – a year-long programme of activity to raise awareness and support UK cities in shaping urban environments around people and their health. The programme draws heavily on the Healthy Streets approach developed by Lucy and pioneered by Transport for London.
What do you feel are the key points delegates need to digest when considering a partnership with Urban Transport Group?
Transport is among the key factors determining whether or not a person leads a healthy lifestyle. We are the voice of urban transport in the UK. We can help delegates understand, and make connections with, the transport sector, promoting a more joined-up approach.
If you would like to learn more about Urban Transport Group please visit www.urbantransportgroup.org
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