The requirement
Poor transport connections in rural areas like the East of England cause problems for everyone. Transport East wanted to analyse complex rural mobility challenges and recommend solutions to make the lives of people who need to travel within the region easier.
The solution
As part of our initial research phase, we heard from carers who were struggling to provide for their families, older and disabled people who were so socially isolated it was severely affecting their mental and physical health, and businesses who were struggling to recruit and retain staff.
Our solution was to establish an independent body of experts called the Regional Strategy Hub (RSH) to analyse the East’s rural transport challenges and opportunities. The body would assess the barriers and formulate policy recommendations for local and central government, and wider partners.
We appointed seven Commissioners for the RSH, targeting an even geographic spread and people who were experts in their field. The Commissioners oversaw the research programme through a ‘call for evidence’, informed by their expertise.
The results
The project achieved:
- Over 100 responses to the call for evidence, enabling us to better understand rural mobility challenges.
- Engaged 33 organisations through four oral evidence sessions.
- Secured the Minister for Roads and Local Transport to speak at the launch event, where he praised the robust and well-researched report.
- Cross-party support from national politicians.
- Advocacy from over ten stakeholder groups.
- Engaged seldom-heard voices such as carers and small businesses.
- Local and trade press and social media coverage.
“We enjoyed working in partnership with JFG on our Regional Strategy Hub, which was a first of its kind project for Transport East. We especially valued JFG’s specialist transport policy expertise and wide-ranging industry and political connections, alongside the personal service they bring as a small, specialist agency.” Esme Yuill – Head of External Affairs, Transport East
