Southwark scoops top prize at National Transport Awards

18 October 2018

Southwark Council has scooped the top prize at the National Transport Awards. The council fought off tough competition from Waltham Forest, Aberdeenshire and Gateshead councils, to claim the prestigious National Transport Authority of the Year award, at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel, on 11 October.

The event was hosted by broadcaster and presenter, Jeremy Vine, and the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, addressed an audience of more than 600 transport professionals.
 
Southwark sits at the centre of London’s transport network with approximately 300,000 residents and over 50million commuters passing through every year. The council is committed to doing everything it can to secure the safety of all of these people, improving its streets for a wealth of different users, and delivering forward thinking plans to future proof sustainable travel in the borough.
 
With decreasing car ownership and use in Southwark, the council is focused on creating attractive, safe, multifunctional streets that support walking and cycling, improve air quality and reduce congestion.
 
Southwark Council and TfL are investing over £30million in cycling over the five year period to 2020, in order to meet the council’s ambitious target to more than double the level of cycling in Southwark, over the next ten years. This would add more than 40,000 additional trips by bike, every day.
 
Southwark currently has the fourth lowest private vehicle ownership in London, with an average of only 19 owners per 100 of population. This illustrates the success the council has had in meeting its sustainable transport goals, despite facing the challenges of reduced funding and increasing costs.
 
This national award follows hot on the heels of recent recognition of the council’s creativity, engagement and development work. Southwark took away the Borough of the Year award at the London Transport Awards, a British Parking Award for its Kerbside strategy, and young transport professional awards, this year.  
 
Cllr Richard Livingstone, Cabinet Member for environment, transport management and air quality, said: “Our highways team works closely with communities across Southwark, making our roads safer, more attractive and open to a number of different users. It is wonderful to see them gain this esteemed recognition of their past successes and innovative future plans.”

Page last updated: 18 October 2018