Swindon Local Business Leaders Push for better Transport
The first meeting of what will be a regular
transport forum for Swindon business leaders took place last week
(22nd July 2010) under the auspices of GWE Business
West’s [1] Initiative in Swindon
[2]. A number of businesses were
involved, including Howard Tenens, Honda, Alder King and Whitmarsh
Lockhart.
Swindon Borough Council’s Director of
Transport, Dave Potter, attended the meeting to talk about the
council’s plans for the future of transport in Swindon. The
council’s Local Transport Plan 3 is currently out for consultation
and Initiative members were invited to give feedback and provide
input on the requirements for business. The meeting produced a
debate between the Council and Initiative members.
Business leaders pressed for a number of
actions that are needed to sustain business competitiveness in the
town, these included:
- Better orbital bus services linking key housing and employment
areas
- Intelligent transport systems – including better management of
the existing road system
- Much needed improvements to key transport interchanges –
railway station and bus station
- Electrification of the mainline rail route to London and
Bristol, with future high speed rail also a priority
Peter Barefoot, Alder King said: “This meeting
is an excellent forum for business to prioritise and channel some
of its concerns to the council. Alder King is pleased to be
involved in this forum giving business the opportunity to present
ideas and thoughts to the Council.”
Ian Larrard, Director of GWE Business West’s
Swindon Initiative, said: “Businesses in Swindon are keen
to work with the council to develop this agenda and help achieve
the transport improvements we all want for the town. Through the
Initiative in Swindon we will continue to bring businesses together
to discuss these critical issues”.
Nicky Alberry, Chairman, GWE Business West,
said: “We have to look at what is achievable in the current
economic climate. It’s important that we continue to work to
improve transport in and around the town, so when the economy does
recover we have in place a long term strategy for transport in
Swindon. This meeting is only the first stage in the process,
the Initiative in Swindon will meet regularly to discuss transport
issues and provide a means of engaging positively with Swindon
Borough Council.”
ENDS
370 words
Note to editors
[1] GWE Business West
Business leadership. Business membership.
Business services. Playing a major role in shaping and supporting
economic growth and success.
GWE Business West exists to help provide an
environment in which business can thrive and prosper. It is a
private company with a public, business responsible purpose. It
delivers an extensive range of business to business services.
Acting on behalf of its members and customers, GWE Business West is
a powerful voice for the business community across the Swindon and
Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset and
Gloucestershire region, with strong roots in each of its local
communities.
GWE Business West operates from offices in
Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Midsomer Norton and Cheltenham.
http://www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk/
[2] The Initiative in
Swindon
The Initiative in Swindon enables the business
community to play a part in influencing the way Swindon is shaped,
managed and developed.
Providing an effective link between the
private and public sectors, it ensures that the interests of
commerce are taken into account when key decisions are made at
local, regional and national levels.
The Initiative in Swindon provides leadership
through influencing rather than setting itself up to rival
councils. The public/private partnerships formed with its help are
operated with good will, recognising the role business can play in
supporting the democratically elected members of local authorities
to get things done.
Our vision is to fashion a future environment
for Swindon and Wiltshire, which is a key part of GWE Business
West’s highly focused and productive business responsible
activity.