News

Volterra’s Paul Buchanan and Lucy Dean hard at work ‘down under’!

Volterra Partner Paul Buchanan and Senior Consultant Lucy Dean have just returned from Sydney where they have been working with Transport for NSW on the business case for a light rail scheme. More on this in the New Year...

Bridget Rosewell to speak at ‘The infrastructure challenge post Brexit’ Conference…BOOK NOW!

Conference: The infrastructure challenge post Brexit – 24 January, 2017 – Westminster – Programme now out Post Brexit, there is an emerging policy direction that puts infrastructure investment in the centre of an activist fiscal policy and the re-invention of industrial strategy.  This is all framed around delivering fairness and inclusion to heal the social division revealed by the Brexit vote.  This raises a huge range of new questions for infrastructure policy makers, strategists and deliverers. The objective of this conference is to survey these policy questions, explore emerging economic analytical tools and evidence we have to inform them, and consider what new tools and evidence we need to develop to understand emerging risks and opportunities. Bridget Rosewell is the Keynote Speaker, followed by an impressive line-up of experts. The event promises to be a fascinating and much needed discussion - DON'T MISS OUT, BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW. For more details and booking go to http://www.neks.ltd/detailsconf. Early Bird discounts end 15^th December.

Bridget Rosewell speaker at Highways UK 2016

Bridget Rosewell was a speaker at Highways UK 2016 annual conference on 16/17 November at the NEC in Birmingham, in her capacity as a judge of the Wolfson Economics Prize. The conference attracted 2,219 visitors to listen to the 109 speakers, in the three Industry briefing theatres, and to visit the 90 exhibitors. Highways UK is a major event for the people and organisations involved in the planning, operation and future-proofing of the UK's road network. You can read a review of the event HERE. Bridget spoke for the Keynote conversation: better ways to run better roads, along with Isabel Dedring (Global Transport Leader), and Julian Glover (Director for Arup). Bridget is keen to encourage a wide ranging approach to the problem of 21st century roads – from pricing electricity for cars to road access control and road system separation. Economists please note! Image: Vicki Sharp.

Bridget Rosewell discusses Heathrow runway decision and post-brexit data

Volterra's Senior Advisor and prolific Economist Bridget Rosewell was invited on to Radio 4's World Tonight on Tuesday 25th October to discuss the Government's decision to grant a third runway at Heathrow. The long awaited decision was an important moment in Theresa May's new government, after years of lobbying and indecision on the Heathrow and Gatwick extensions. The greenlight for Heathrow is the beginning of a year long consultation process, so there is still lots of work to be done. Bridget Rosewell from her unique position as a member of of the National Infrastructure Commission and Professor Tony Travers from LSE discuss the merits of this decision with Ritula Shah. You can listen to the discussion here (at 17.48)   Image: Boeing 767 sunset takeoff by Paul Nelhams is licensed under CC by 2.0

Night Tube opens on Northern Line!

This Friday 18th November the Night Tube launches on the Northern Line, joining the Central, Jubilee and Victoria line in operating 24-hour services on Fridays and Saturdays. The Piccadilly Line will also operate a Night Tube from 16th December. Volterra produced a report for TfL and London First in 2014 assessing the scheme’s impact on the night-time economy. Our findings indicated that the Night Tube would support 2,000 permanent jobs and provide £3.90 of benefit for each £1 spent on delivering it.  You can read the full report here and a commentary on the Night Tube by London Reconnections here. The study was led by Volterra's Partner Ellie Evans, who said: “In addition to its employment impacts, the Night Tube will bring numerous other benefits and contribute towards a more vibrant night-time economy that will increase the attractiveness of London for visitors, residents and businesses. This is great news for Londoners, and keeps London competitive on the global stage”.

Hyperloop One: Stockholm to Helsinki

Volterra carried out an economic assessment of an ultra-fast transport system connecting Stockholm to Helsinki. Hyperloop One will be an entirely new form of transport: as planned, it will connect city centres that were previously hours apart in minutes and deliver a step change in the relationship between distance and connectivity. The existing journey requires a flight – and the associated time to access the airport, check in and board – or a very long ferry. Hyperloop One would run direct between the two city centres and reduce journey times between the two to half an hour, with intermediate stations along the route. The increase in accessibility will result in significant Wider Economic Benefits (WEBs) as a result of the increase in “effective density” and increased access to labour. Our work included valuing the user benefits and the WEBs, and incorporating them into the economic case.

Paul Buchanan’s published report: Transport, land use and economics

Volterra Partner and leading economist Paul Buchanan has written a paper for the Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal.  Paul's article Transport, land use and economics is featured as one of many papers discussing urban regeneration and renewal in a complex contemporary climate. You can read the article HERE. The publication is the essential peer-reviewed journal for all professionals concerned with physical, economic and social regeneration of urban communities. It publishes in-depth articles and real world case studies on the latest strategy, policy making and current and best practice in the field. You can read more about the journal and indeed purchase it at Henry Stewart Publications.   

Volterra supports Paddington Quarter plans

Volterra recently supported Great Western Developments Ltd.’s application to redevelop the former Royal Mail Sorting Office and Post Office next to Paddington Station. The proposed development, Paddington Quarter, includes office, retail and café/restaurant uses across two buildings – an eighteen storey building, Paddington Cube, and a smaller two story satellite building. The scheme also encompasses 1.35 acres of public realm improvements, which will significantly improve access to the station, as well as delivering a new Bakerloo line ticket hall. In our economic report, submitted to Westminster City Council alongside a planning application on Monday, Volterra estimated that the scheme will support 3,475 jobs directly on site, making an annual contribution of £350m to London’s economic output. Volterra consultant Alex O’Byrne says “Paddington Quarter will make a much needed contribution of office space to Westminster, delivering 6% of Westminster’s 20 year office floorspace target. Proposals near key transport nodes, coupled with significant public realm improvements, such as Paddington Quarter, should be encouraged to ensure Westminster’s future growth is not constrained.” Volterra partner Ellie Evans adds “This is exactly why Crossrail is being built – developments like Paddington Quarter will enable London to realise the benefits of this vital transport investment, and to maximise those benefits through complementary public realm improvements.”

The Night Tube has arrived!

Volterra welcomes today’s launch of the Night Tube, which will see London Underground operating 24-hour services on Fridays and Saturdays. Night Tube services will launch on the Central and Victoria lines from tonight, with the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines to follow in the autumn. Volterra produced a report for TfL and London First in 2014 assessing the scheme’s impact on the night-time economy. Our findings indicated that the Night Tube would support 1,965 permanent jobs and provide £3.90 of benefit for each £1 spent on delivering it. You can read the full report here. The study was led by Volterra's Partner Ellie Evans, who said: “In addition to its employment impacts, the Night Tube will bring numerous other benefits and contribute towards a more vibrant night-time economy that will increase the attractiveness of London for visitors, residents and businesses”.