For the East to continue to thrive we must work together.

Our vision is of a thriving economy for the East, with fast, reliable and resilient transport infrastructure driving forward a future of inclusive and sustainable growth for decades to come.

In March 2018 Transport East was launched, as a new Sub-National Transport Body to deliver a collective vision for the future of transport in Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.

As a partnership, we bring together the local transport and planning authorities, and business leaders with Network Rail and National Highways. We enable the region to speak with one voice on the transport investment needed to drive transformational growth and improve the quality of life for all that live and work in the region.

Why do we need Transport East?

As one of seven Sub-national Transport Bodies covering England, Transport East will develop a Transport Strategy and Delivery Plan for the region which ensures that transport fully supports its members shared ambitions for economic growth, quality of life and prosperity.

Transport East provides a vehicle to:

  • Develop and communicate a single transport strategy and strategic investment programme, ensuring our priorities are embedded in the delivery plans of government, Network Rail, National Highways, private sector and other transport providers.
  • Provide a strong, loud and collective regional voice in the national planning, prioritisation and delivery of strategic transport improvements, helping to ensure investment decisions are locally supported, evidence-led, joined-up and take a strategic long-term approach
  • Enhance the work of existing local transport bodies and Local Enterprise Partnerships by ensuring that funding and strategy decisions about the sub-national transport system are informed by local knowledge, outcomes and requirements
  • Provide leadership and strategic oversight on strategic transport priorities which cross local authority or regional boundaries.
  • Enable a ’single voice’ engagement with the Department for Transport, infrastructure agencies (such as Highways England and Network Rail) and service providers (such as bus and train operating companies), and the East of England’s major ports and airports.
  • Share technical expertise and resources across the partners to assist with the development of a coherent and integrated transport network which is better able to respond to the demands of growth and changing technology.