News

Alex O’Byrne promoted to Associate

We’re delighted to announce a promotion within the Volterra team. Alex O’Byrne has been promoted to Associate. Alex has contributed to and led many complex projects whilst at Volterra. These include the socio-economic assessment of Battersea Power Station, a pre-opening evaluation of Crossrail, the wider economic benefits of specific rails schemes in England, Ireland, Toronto and Northern Ireland, and studies valuing the economic contribution of Victoria, Aldgate, Old Street, South Bank and the Oxford Street to London’s economy.

Secretary of State for Communities announces appointment of Mrs Bridget Rosewell to chair the review

Communities Secretary Rt. Hon James Brokenshire MP announced on Friday 22 June the appointment of Volterra founder Bridget Rosewell to chair the Independent Review into Planning Appeal Inquiries. The review has been set up with the aim of reducing the time it takes to determine inquiries established to resolve disputed planning proposals, whilst ensuring quality decision making. Commenting on her new role, Mrs Rosewell said: “The Planning Inspectorate’s role in arbitrating disputed planning applications is vital, but the current inquiry process is very drawn out. I’m thrilled to be appointed the Chair of this review and look forward to exploring the real solutions that could speed up and improve the process and give greater certainty to those with an interest in a development or who are affected by it.” For more information and the press release in full, please visit the Read more website.

Volterra is recruiting at all levels!

Volterra is an independent and highly successful Economic Consultancy. Read more here.

Lucy Dean: UK Transport Infrastructure Summit

Volterra Associate Lucy Dean spoke at the recent UK Transport Infrastructure Summit in London. Speakers focused on digital technology and how smart transport can reduce infrastructure pressures; Lucy turned to the subject of roads, and autonomous vehicles. She said that autonomous vehicles would relieve congestion, improve speed and reliability, allow productive use of travel time, create greater accessibility, and improve safety. The full report is available on the website..

Volterra at The Road User Charging Forum

ARUP recently hosted The ITS RUC Forum in their Bloomsbury offices; Volterra Associate Kieran Arter and Consultant George Matthews were invited to present the Volterra and Jacobs joint Wolfson Economics 2017 entry "Pricing for Prosperity". The presentation is available to view here. For fifteen years the RUC Group has welcomed speakers with specialist knowledge and insight to their meetings. The programme demonstrated the breadth of projects currently under way in the UK, Europe and globally. For further information on ITS can be found on their website.

We have a new team member

Meet Luke Thurley, our new graduate economics consultant. His first-class education from the University of Bristol - BSc Economics, MRes Economics - and the soft skills gained through internships and part-time work. He is a great addition to our team.

Economic analysis for Camden Town Unlimited and Euston Town Business Improvement Districts

At Volterra, we are well known for our work with local government and Business Improvement Districts (BIDSs), undertaking projects to help them develop their vision and strategic plans. Camden Town Unlimited and Euston Town recently commissioned Volterra Partner Ellie Evans and her team to undertake an economic analysis of the combined area's existing performance, highlight its future potential and analyse a range of funding mechanisms. Further reading and the full report can be viewed here.

Paul Buchanan at Transport Planning Society mileage-based road pricing debate

The recent Transport Planning Society debate was an informative and fascinating affair.TPS invited Gary Raccuja, last year’s winner of the Wolfson prize, to present and discuss his winning paper "Miles Better: Replacing Fuel Duty and VED with a Mileage-based Road Tax, collected by insurers". Responding to Gary's proposal was former chair of the RAC Foundation, David Quarmby, Kris Beuret of Social Research Associates and Volterra Partner Paul Buchanan. Visit the Transport Planning Society website to read more.

Bridget Rosewell speaks at the Town & Country Planning Association conference

In her role as Commissioner at the National Infrastructure Commission, Senior Volterra Advisor Bridget Rosewell was asked to speak at a recent Town & Country Planning Association conference. Bridget delivered a presentation on "Delivering New Towns in the Cambridge/Milton Keynes/Cambridge Corridor". A copy of the presentation is available here.