Transport minister visits Oxfordshire

TRANSPORT Minister George Freeman today met with Oxfordshire County Council Leader Ian Hudspeth and City Council Cabinet Member Alex Hollingsworth to hear how the councils are working together on low-carbon transport.

Better transport connections and lower carbon and nitrogen dioxide emissions are at the centre of future transport plans from the two councils, they told the minister. Also, Oxfordshire has become a hub for developing smart travel technologies by using our transport network as a “Living Lab” and by supporting innovation beyond just vehicle manufacturing, with businesses offering the test facilities, measurement, cybersecurity and smart infrastructure that provide an essential mix for bringing forward new travel technologies.

George Freeman MP, who is the Minister for the Future of Transport, said: ““UK leadership in transport technology is helping to make transport greener, safer and more reliable & convenient.

“The great work being done here in Oxfordshire is increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, promoting smart transport technologies and attracting inward investment to create the jobs of tomorrow.

“With world class companies like Oxbotica, a global leader in self driving technology, investing here we have the potential to build a world class cluster. As the PM made clear in his first speech, the new Government has made innovation for connectivity a priority and we will shortly be announcing a series of initiatives to support this vital sector. “

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, added: “We were delighted that the new transport minister came to Oxfordshire to see for himself the fast-growing transport technology sector. We are making the most of the technological know-how in our excellent universities and energetic start-up community. But I am also convinced that our success is driven by the environmental concerns of people living and working in Oxfordshire who want to see transport that is both better and cleaner, with the county becoming an exciting test-bed for future technologies.”

Regarding the city of Oxford itself, Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Transport, said: ““Oxford is leading the way on innovation to address the environmental impacts of how we travel. This was a great opportunity to demonstrate to the Minister the ways we are rising to the challenge of future transport needs, and to discuss the transport challenges for the city and workforce in the future. Bold measures are needed to address traffic congestion within the constraints of our medieval city.”