Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has become more aware and appreciative of the workers now called ‘key workers’. However, organisational change and deregulation over recent years has led to high levels of job degradation in key work sectors. In this blog, Gail Hebson and Miguel Martínez Lucio introduce and present research from a range […]
COVID-19 and the future of urban mobility
COVID-19 has comprehensively disrupted urban mobility systems. Public transport authorities are running skeleton services, while streets are less congested. In the midst of lockdown conditions, urban mobility systems look unrecognisable. Here, Dr Mike Hodson and Professor Andrew McMeekin reflect on how different areas have responded to the lockdown, and discuss key considerations that will shape […]
COVID-19: What should transport and mobility responses be now and beyond?
The measures we put in place around transport and mobility are critical to how we emerge from this pandemic and rebuild in the coming years. In this blog, Dr Ransford A. Acheampong examines how to make transport safe as some of the most vulnerable groups are returning to work, and shows that active travel is […]
Transport and logistics during the COVID-19 pandemic
While the majority of the population is urged to stay at home, the country is relying on the transport and logistics sector to maintain the delivery of goods, and most importantly food and medical supplies, which have seen a substantial increase in demand. People working in the haulage industry are identified as key workers given […]
In their own words: Women and austerity in Greater Manchester
In the eight years between 2010 and 2018, local authorities in England saw a reduction in Government funding of just less than 50%, with Manchester the tenth most affected council in the country. In this blog, Anna Sanders looks at how austerity policies have affected women in the Greater Manchester region, with a focus on transport […]
Can we ‘level up’ transport infrastructure across the UK?
Professor Diane Coyle and Dr Marianne Sensier have recently conducted research comparing transport infrastructure projects that have used HM Treasury’s Green Book. In this blog they argue that this methodology, alongside political prioritisation of projects in and around London, has reinforced existing success in wealthy, already highly productive parts of the UK. Future infrastructure investment […]
Heathrow Expansion in light of the UK’s Climate Change Commitments
Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy at The University of Manchester, along with Dr John Broderick consider if the level of emissions from the Heathrow expansion is in alignment with the UK’s legal commitments on climate change. They argue that the proposed expansion jeopardises these legal commitments, given the absence of a […]
Electric Vehicles: The Future is Light
In this blog James Baker, the newly announced Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains what’s driving demand for lightweight 2D materials for use in batteries and other components. The growth in both the demand and supply for electric vehicles is creating new opportunities and challenges for manufacturers in the UK. Heavier electric vehicles are driving […]
Connecting Greater Manchester: The mayoral challenge
With the Greater Manchester mayoral campaign now well under way, it’s clear that transport will be one of the key issues for many residents, as revealed in Manchester Evening News’ survey. Here, Professor Graham Winch lays out why improving transport should be a priority for the new mayor and suggests some of the future challenges […]
Transport can be the driver for the Northern Powerhouse
The outgoing coalition government launched the Northern Transport Strategy just days before the start of the General Election campaign – surely no coincidence. Professor Graham Winch looks beyond the short-term politics to explain why the outlined investment is worth it. The just published Northern Transport Strategy aims to use better transport links in Northern England […]