Cllr Leffman elected new chair of EEH

Cllr Liz Leffman has been elected the new chair of England’s Economic Heartland (EEH) sub-national transport body.

The Oxfordshire County council leader, who was appointed by EEH’s Strategic Transport Leadership Board, had served as interim-chair following the local elections in May.

Leffman, a Liberal Democrat, has represented the rural Charlbury and the Wychwoods division in west Oxfordshire since 2017, becoming leader of Oxfordshire County Council in 2021.

She has made net zero and encouraging uptake of sustainable transport a key objective for her local authority.

Cllr Leffman said: “Our region sits at the heart of world leading science and technology innovation and is of vital importance to the national economy. However, realising our potential will require improvements to our transport system which cut emissions and unlock opportunities for our residents and businesses to flourish.

“From improving bus services and rural mobility through to successfully making the case for the Ely rail junction upgrade, EEH is at the forefront of making this happen. 

“Our Board’s strong collaborative spirit cuts across party politics and council boundaries, enabling us to speak with a powerful voice to government about our region’s requirements.”