Engineers' Welcome Councils Joint Working
24th August, 2010
The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is hoping a new way of working between councils in the far South West will lead to better lobbying for improved transport in the region.
Local authorities in Torbay, Devon, Plymouth, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have pledged their commitment to work closely together to deliver more jobs and greater growth and wealth for the South West peninsula.
The councils are acting in response to the government’s proposal for the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), which will in part replace the current Regional Development Agencies.
Part of the LEP’s role will be to lobby for improved strategic transport connectivity to the South West peninsula for road, rail and air services and to deal with existing transport challenges within the area - both are key priorities for the Institution of Civil Engineers South West.
Richard Fish, Independent Transport Consultant and the South West’s Regional Member of ICE, said: "This is an exciting development that will hopefully show that, by working together, the far South West will have a stronger voice in lobbying government.
"It is imperative that our fragile transport networks are properly maintained and developed. An LEP with our local councils presenting a united front will certainly help to achieve that."
The authorities are working with business partners to devise a submission to the government on partnership arrangements.
ENDS
