Our second Northern Evidence Academic Forum focused on how the transport system in the North of England impacts our health, the productivity of our cities, and how we can grow the northern visitor economy.
The speakers at the online event also discussed how these inter-related policy areas can be reflected in local governance and decision-making.
Our first speaker, Dr Caglar Koksal, set out the many ways in which the transport system can impact our health and wellbeing.
As well as the well-document impacts of air and noise pollution, Dr Koksal’s presentation discussed the growing evidence base on the impacts of severance, the levels of physical activity involved in using different transport modes, and of access to health services.
Following this, Dr Hadi Arbabi presented analysis of urban density and agglomeration in Sheffield. This analysis demonstrates the productivity benefits that come from greater urban density, especially where long-range connectivity is more difficult. Dr Arbabi is working to expand this model across the travel to work areas in the north, and to further consider carbon impacts.
Drawing on these health and agglomeration themes, Professor Joyce Liddle and Professor John Shutt highlighted the challenges that the current systems of transport governance and decision-making pose when attempting to link together multiple policy themes.
Professor Liddle and Professor Shutt argued that these governance challenges make the ‘levelling-up’ agenda harder to achieve, and proposed a series of reforms that would reduce regional inequalities in England.
Finally, Matt Smith and Dr Felicity Heathcote-Marcz presented outcomes from research Transport for the North has commissioned into the northern visitor economy.
Drawing on new primary research and secondary data analysis, they highlighted the need for greater public transport connectivity to support a modal shift in visitor journeys, and to support greater inclusivity and accessibility across the diverse northern visitor economy.
Together, our guest speakers at the Northern Evidence Academic Forum demonstrated the extent to which transport in the North of England connects to a range of policy issues that go beyond connectivity and accessibility.
The research that these speakers are undertaking will improve the evidence base on these diverse policy links, and alongside Transport for the North’s research on health, social inclusion, and transport user insights, will improve transport decision-making and prioritisations in the North of England.
Watch back our latest meeting below, or learn more about our Northern Evidence Academic Forum here.