Transforming the UK’s mobility sector could bring a future that’s sustainable, delivers social value, and benefits SMEs and social enterprises – but only if key challenges are overcome.

The paper says there are challenges that could potentially thwart progress in the mobility sector

A new white paper from Amey says that while new mobility entrants such as electric and hybrid vehicles, e-bikes, on-demand services, ride-hailing, ride-sharing, micro-mobility and autonomous vehicles are now starting to gain traction, there is still a lack of joined-up public policy from central Government alongside uncertainty in the private sector about its role in investing in mobility.

Asif Ghafoor, managing director, Amey Investments, said: “We are at the cusp of a new era in public mobility infrastructure. The challenges ahead are daunting but the potential for good infrastructure to tackle the climate emergency, create social value and support technology-rich SMEs and social enterprises has never been greater. No one has all the answers, so the public and private sectors need to work together to solve the big challenges posed by 21st century mobility needs.”

The white paper – developed on the basis of findings and recommendations from a roundtable discussion that also included Aviva, PwC, Arup and Ordnance Survey – sets out six key challenges that could stop progress in delivering a mobility-enabled UK. These include a lack of clear vision on mobility and a need for new infrastructure mechanisms.

To help resolve this, the report sets out several proposed actions, including:

• A clear public policy on mobility from central government but with local and city authorities allowed to shape their mobility strategies according to their own cities’ and towns’ needs. The white paper also calls for a ‘mobility code of conduct’.
• Clear revenue models for investors to be developed that also work for local authorities.
• Ways to embrace technology, including data sharing strategies and a commitment to only making mobility data available on a commercial basis.

Ghafoor continued: “The reward to us as individuals, to businesses, to people delivering public services and to all of society for getting a data and technology-driven mobility sector working well is immense. All of us want less congested towns and cities, clean, healthy air and more sustainable means of getting about. All this is within our grasp, yet we risk it all if action isn’t taken now to tackle head on the pressing challenges faced.”

To access Amey’s white paper, click here.