Advertise on podcast: Transport Talks

How do we talk about climate change in a way that connects with people, builds understanding and encourages action? In the latest episode of the CIHT Podcast, host Justin Ward brings together leading voices from climate communications, transport and local government to discuss one of the profession's biggest challenges: communicating climate change effectively.   Speakers include Sophie Vipond, Director of External Affairs at the Climate Change Committee, Emma Parker Reynolds from ADEPT, Kathryn Lock of the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, and Claire Stocks from Transport for Greater Manchester and Active Travel Café. From tackling misinformation and overcoming climate fatigue to finding messages that resonate with different audiences, the panel shares practical insights and real-world experience on what works, what doesn't and why effective communication matters more than ever. The discussion explores how transport professionals can make climate issues relevant to everyday lives, use positive and engaging narratives, and build support for the changes needed to create more sustainable and resilient communities. Whether you're involved in transport planning, policy, highways, infrastructure or public engagement, this conversation offers valuable ideas that can help you communicate with greater confidence and impact. If you've ever wondered how to make climate messages cut through the noise, this is a podcast worth listening to. Listen now and hear expert perspectives, practical advice and fresh thinking on one of the most important issues facing the transport sector today.

This podcast explores a project in Westminster involving side road zebra crossings. The initiative aims to improve pedestrian priority and road safety by using simple, low-cost road markings to nudge driver behavior. Experts discuss how these trials support 2022 Highway Code changes, noting that driver compliance nearly doubled at the test locations. While the markings are currently informal in England, the project's data has already influenced official transport standards in Wales. Ultimately, the trial demonstrates how minimal design interventions can effectively manage traffic flow while creating a more accessible and inclusive urban environment. The podcast host, Justin Ward, interviewed a panel of four key professionals who were central to the design, modeling, and rollout of the Westminster trials: Keith Furth – Project Director from the transport and engineering team at NRP.Dean Gibbs – Associate Director at NRP, who worked closely with contractor FM Conway to manage the physical, on-the-ground implementation of the crossings.Dean Walker – Director at NRP and the project manager who led the micro-simulation traffic modeling and data analysis.Hayden Tuck – The Client Officer representing Westminster City Council

A landmark document titled "Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport," published in April 2026, is set to fundamentally reshape how people move across England. The strategy marks a significant shift toward a transport network designed to be safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible, placing "people, place, and partnership" at its core. In this interview, Danny Williams, the former civil servant who led the development of the strategy and founding CEO of Active Travel England, is interviewed describing the document as a "direction of travel" for the nation. Danny Williams is a partner at Strat-edgy LLP, a strategy consultancy that works exclusively with senior leaders in transport, infrastructure, and government. Danny has operated at senior level across government and private sector leadership. He founded and led Active Travel England – a new executive agency – before leading development of the first national transport strategy in two decades at the Department for Transport.

This episode of CIHT Transport Talks podcast hears from experts reflecting on the findings of the CLIMATES project – a major programme involving more than 300 professionals exploring how the sector can respond to climate change over the next decade.  Featuring: Professor Glenn Lyons, immediate past president of CIHT, and Mark McDonald's, professor of Future Mobility at UWE Bristol. Claire Haig, founder and CEO of Greener Vision. Claire is also executive director of the Transport Knowledge Hub and creator of the Tabular Project.Annette Smith, Project Director at Mark McDonald. Key links: CIHT CLIMATES report (2025) A Well-Adapted Transport System: Findings from the CCC’s independent assessment of climate risk and adaptation options - 11 June 2026, 12:30-13:30 - CIHT Webinar  National Emergency Briefing

This episode features an interview with Professor Amanda Kirby CIHT Learn courses: Planning and Designing Transport Infrastructure for Neurodivergent Users  Enabling Neuroinclusion in the Transport Profession  Professor Amanda Kirby MBBS MRCGP PhD FCGI Amanda is an emeritus professor at the University of South Wales, an honorary professor at Cardiff University, and a Visiting Professor at Trinity College Dublin. She is the founder and CEO of Do-IT Solutions, a globally recognised tech-for-good company specialising in neurodiversity screening and support tools for education and employment, and justice settings. With more than 35 years of clinical and research experience in neurodiversity, Amanda has authored 10 books and over 100 research papers. Her 2021 book, Neurodiversity at Work, won the EDI Business Book Award. She was the Chair of the ADHD Foundation and has worked closely with several other charities in this sector. She has been a contributor to developing global standards, such as the UK’s BSI’s Design for the Mind guidelines. She is currently writing her 11th book on Neurodiversity and Parenting. She has recently chaired the Neurodiversity at Work review for DWP and is leading on the City and Guilds Neurodiversity Index- 2026, which will be out in March. Amanda is a LinkedIn Top Voice with 150,000+ followers and has a weekly subscriber base to her Neurodiversity 101 newsletter of 165,000+. Her passion remains championing neurodivergent talent and creating inclusive workplaces as a parent, grandparent of neurodivergent family members, as well as recognising herself as having neurodivergent traits. Also referenced in the episode - Design for the Mind. Neurodiversity & the Built Environment - PAS 6463

Join CIHTs Professional Development Offcer and guest speakers from key positions within the level 3 transport planning technician apprenticeship. Celebrating a decade of collaboration and achievement since its introduction in 2016, CIHT talks with apprenntices, training providers and employers to share insights from across the apprenticeship journey. Gues speakers include: Sarah Carter, Project Manager, at Leeds College of Building, reflects on her role in delivering the apprenticeship.Richard Garratt, Head of Transport Planning Apprenticeship Scheme at Leicestershire County Council, highlights the value that apprentices bring to businesses including their contribution to real-world projects.Distinction level apprentice, Shakira Bickhan, shares her personal journey and what inspired her to choose the apprenticeship route, the support she received from CIHT, and the apprenticeship’s role in building her confidence, professional competence and career opportunities. The podcast also highlights CIHT’s ongoing role as an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), and how engagement with CIHT supports apprentices during their training and beyond, including professional registration.

This episode is to highlight the CIHT Naitonal Conference 2026 taking place on 18 March. 1 Basinghall Avenue City of London EC2V 5DD UNITED KINGDOM The title of the conference is:  From Risk to Resilience The conference which will take place in London, will explore how we move from risk to resilience, to make our highways resilient to the full range of hazards faced.    The one-day event will bring together high-profile speakers from government agencies, local authorities and industry leaders to discuss the pressing challenges we face today and the pioneering solutions that will drive us forward.  Bookings Now Open: Tickets are limitedJust like the 2025 Conference, we’re expecting the 2026 Conference sell out fast. So please share with colleagues and book your place early to secure the Individual and Group Early Bird rates before they are gone. National Conference 2026

This episode of CIHT’s Transport Talks was developed in partnership with the Bus Centre of Excellence.    Featuring an interview with Tom Cunnington from Transport for London.  Tom provides his insights into Allyship through his work with Women in Bus and Coach – an organisation that aims to create a national network to encourage, represent, support and retain women in the bus, coach and community transport profession.  The theme of the episode is on the eternal vigilance of an ally – an implication of something that requires continuous effort – that help and support need to be part of an ongoing conscious undertaking.

This episode features an interview with Andreas Markides. Based around his book Urban Myths. Urban Myths is an intriguing and fascinating read that explores the prism of ancient Greek civilisation and myths as a reference to show how human behaviour, values and frailties are timeless. Andreas Markides BSc MSc CEng FICE FCIHT AoU is a chartered civil engineer with a masters in Transport Planning from Imperial College. In the past he had been chairman of Colin Buchanan and Partners and he is now chairman of Markides Associates, a consultancy  which employs 35 transport planners and engineers. In 2013 Andreas had led the Government’s Planning Commission for the island of Cyprus and he was the President of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) in the UK during 2017/2018. He has appeared as expert witness at many public inquiries and he has led several town centre regeneration as well as urban extension projects. He has written many learned papers and presented at numerous conferences.

What is the opportunity for shared transport to change travel in the UK? This episode spans widely looking at how car clubs can have an impact the size of Hyde Park, how DRT could work for rural users, to how e-bikes and e-scooters should be legislated for. Featuring an interview with the Richard Dilks, Chief Executive of Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK).  CoMoUK is the national charity dedicated to the social, economic and environmental benefits of shared transport. This episode was recorded in July 2025

Inspiring the Next Generation: CIHT and BCoE Explore Careers in the Bus Sector   In the latest 'Transport Talks' podcast episode, the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) has worked in partnership with the Bus Centre of Excellence (BCoE) to explore how to inspire the next generation and explore careers in the bus sector.  Featuring an interview with extremely experienced transport professional Leon Daniels who shares his insights on how to attract and retain talent in the bus sector. From Accidental Entry to Industry Leadership Leon Daniels, Chair of the BCoE Advisory Board and former Managing Director of Surface Transport at Transport for London, joined CIHT’s Justin Ward to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.  With a career spanning the UK, Hong Kong, and the USA, Daniels brought a global perspective to the conversation. Leon Daniels candidly shared that his own entry into the bus industry was accidental, evolving from a publishing role into sightseeing and eventually London’s tendered bus market. While not a recommended route, his story underscores the importance of seizing opportunities and finding passion in unexpected places.

Phil Jones helped make history after the Welsh Parliament passed a resolution to introduce a national 20 mph default speed limit. Phil chaired the Welsh 20mph Task Force Group which led to this change. Kate Carpenter is a Road Safety Professional passionate about evidence/intelligence for casualty prevention and public health through road design, operation and network management.  Kate has given evidence to Select Committee hearings on road safety. Both are valued CIHT members.  Justin Ward interviews Phil Jones and Kate Carpenter about the lessons of the 20mph speed limit in Wales

In this latest episode of CIHT’s podcast “Transport Talks” we spoke to Rebecca Paramor, CIHT Emerging Professional of the Year 2024/25, Site Engineer, Morgan Sindall, and Grace Prendergast, Carbon Analyst, FM Conway, role model for the Highways Sector Council Ways of Life Campaign. Rebecca and Grace take us through: · Varying routes into the sector · The plethora of opportunities available · The direct role that their skills and aspirations have in future proofing the sector · How to change perceptions of the sector and attract skilled young professionals to the sector Listen to the podcast to discover insights from two of our emerging professionals around just how emerging professionals can and do shape the future of the transport system.