At the centre: how transport infrastructure can drive social change
Our Frameworks Manager, Emily Braim (nee Palmer), underscores a powerful message: that transport isn’t just about movement - it’s about opportunity, equity, and transformation.
In the latest episode of our ‘Building Knowledge’ podcast, I spoke with Simon Warburton, Executive Director for Transport at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Director of the Urban Transport Group (UTG), about the vital role transport plays in supporting social infrastructure.
Simon brought valuable insight to the conversation, having led strategic transport work in both Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. His reflections were grounded in decades of on-the-ground change and policy leadership.
“We’ve got these vibrant hubs of activity,” Simon noted. “But of course, we've got huge amounts of urban communities around those cities and larger towns who need access into those centres in order to be able to benefit from the employment opportunities... transport is fundamental in terms of being able to link people into those opportunities.”
From the notion of 15-minute cities to 24-hour economies, Simon made it clear that our transport systems must adapt to how people live, work, and engage with their environments today, not how they did in the past.
We also explored the growing collaborative model of regional transport, particularly via UTG, the UK’s network of transport authorities. Simon highlighted how UTG supports best practice sharing and leadership development, which he described as essential in a field that now touches every part of civic life.
From the White Rose Agreement uniting mayors across Yorkshire, to cities openly sharing expertise on franchising, electrification and real-time information systems, there’s a growing recognition that the most effective solutions come from working together. As Simon put it:
“We’re quite often going on the same journey as each other… we’ve all got our experience and our particular strengths to bring to the table.”
Simon was frank about the challenges facing the sector as well. Public transport - particularly bus services - has experienced decades of decline, with falling demand often leading to reduced service quality and frequency. It’s a vicious cycle that’s difficult to reverse and continues to impact communities where reliable transport is essential for access to jobs, education, and opportunity.
There’s optimism too. With the rise of devolution and empowered mayors, there’s political momentum to “rip up the rule book” and drive change. Bus franchising, investment in rail and tram systems, and integrated networks such as the Bee Network across Greater Manchester demonstrate this shift.
As we discussed infrastructure and planning, Simon shared how the built environment must evolve to support new modes of travel, especially as zero-emission technologies roll out, such as building a depot in the best location to capitalise on the power network.
He also touched on inclusivity and modern design, calling for depots and workplaces that welcome everyone - particularly women, who have historically been underrepresented in driving and operational roles:
“We need to keep asking ourselves the question: are we making these facilities attractive to all parts of our community?”.
What stood out to me throughout was Simon’s emphasis on transport as a social equaliser. Whether in former mining towns like Radstock in Somerset, his message was clear: access matters. It’s about ensuring that the next generation can see opportunity - literally and figuratively - within reach.
As we wrapped up, Simon’s aspiration is for transport to be intuitive, inclusive and reliable that it becomes invisible, a seamless part of life.
“If we are able to take connectivity away as a barrier… then that’s a great legacy for us to deliver.”
This conversation reminded me that transport is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape society, to lift communities, unlock economies, and reimagine what’s possible when people are truly connected.
Prefer to listen to audio?
You can listen to the full discussion on our Building Knowledge Podcast on:
Or stream the episode below...
Find out more here about the importance of transport in social infrastructure, helping shape more connected, inclusive and resilient places.