One of the things I’ve always loved about LCRIG, and the work we do for the Transport Technology Forum, is our ability to bring people together. Bringing people together is what we do, and we do this well. But, bringing people together isn’t just about getting people in a room (either virtual or in person) it is also about creating a frictionless environment for people to share knowledge, and ideas but also create an environment where insights and solutions to challenges can be discussed without barriers.
With skills shortages starting to create gaps in structures in councils, this means now more than ever collaboration and sharing innovation are key. One of the ways we bring councils together is through our many facilitated and supported regional groups. With groups ranging from the LCRIG Infrastructure Innovation Board, LCRIG South East Innovation Group, LCRIG North West Group, North East Materials Engineers Group, and the new LCRIG South Central Group with more in the pipeline. I get to hear what councils are doing and this allows me (and us) to reflect those voices in other conversations so that we keep making the case for local roads.
With 2023 now underway I’m looking forward to being at these groups as much as I can and sharing what I see at a national level not just within our sector but beyond. For example, I’ve recently been listening to high-level policy conversations about reforming transport tax which will have an impact on the sector – you might not think the most interesting of subjects, but the implications of encouraging behaviour change through tax reductions create some interesting conundrums for a tax system designed to bring money in to support public service provision.
For more information on our working groups, please contact charlotte.bromley@lcrig.org.uk.