21.05.13
Steer to focus on economy as CILT president
Britain has the “best railway in Europe” Jim Steer has said as incoming president of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Steer, best known for his roles at consultancy Steer Davies Gleave and high-speed rail research group Greengauge 21, set out the agenda for his presidency and said his core theme will be the role and contribution of transport and logistics to the economy, trade, employment and competitiveness.
He highlighted the need to redress the growth of London compared to the rest of the country, and voiced his aim to promote the profession to young people and new entrants to the industry.
Steer said: “The EU is encouraging member states to follow the British example in managing their railways and they cite ours as the best railway in Europe.”
He added: “People have not yet fully realised the benefits of HS2. It will link three of our largest airports and we need to think about the high-speed logistics functionality this gives us. Once HS2 has been built, we will look back on its development and its huge benefits, just as we now reflect on the national motorway network built in the last half of the last century.”
Transport minister Stephen Hammond commented: “We often pay lip-service to this but we need to overcome ‘modal silos’. The CILT can help to act as a bridge and bring people together from different modes to work together.
“Transport now enjoys a higher profile in government than it did in previous years. In former times it might have been seen as one post away from Northern Ireland! Today it is a key economic ministry. Transport is now seen in government as a top priority and there is recognition that the traditional ‘stop-go’ cycle must end.”
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