Last week, Dr Erica Ballantyne, Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management, took part in a panel session organised by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority at UKREiiF at Royal Armouries Museum and Leeds Dock.
Alongside Erica, the panel consisted of a range of colleagues from local councils and Transport for the North:
- Will Stewart - Director of Investment, Climate Change and Planning at Sheffield City Council
- Matt O'Neill - Executive Director of Growth and Sustainability at Barnsley Council
- Scott Cardwell - Service Director for Economy and Development at Doncaster Council
- Andrew Bramidge - Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment at Rotherham Council
- Rachel Ford - Interim Strategy Director for Transport for the North
The panel, centred around the topic of 'Unlocking growth through sustainable transport networks', discussed the strategic position of South Yorkshire as a testbed for transport innovation, from the development and trials of battery energy storage systems on the Supertram network to infrastructure priorities around reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA).
Erica specifically discussed the opportunities for South Yorkshire as a growing centre for logistics, at the intersection of the major strategic road network, rail freight through iPort and the potential to re-establish DSA as a strategic air freight hub, thus establishing opportunity for further investment and increased economic growth.
The panel also explored South Yorkshire and Transport for the North's strategic aims around achieving Net Zero through the region's transport systems, including the potential to extend Sheffield's tram network using tram-train technology, and adapting to constrained energy grids as electrified transport increases across the region.
I was delighted to take part in SYMCA's panel discussion on unlocking growth through sustainable transport alongside representatives from the South Yorkshire region and Transport for the North. The conversation highlighted the important role that investment in sustainable transport infrastructure plays in delivering regional economic growth and facilitating vibrant connected places. The UKREiiF overall provided a fantastic platform to showcase South Yorkshire's strengths from sustainable transport initiatives to innovation projects, including the launch of the University of Sheffield's Runway Park innovation district.
Dr Erica Ballantyne
Senior Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management