Greenwich to build team as Transport Strategy takes shape

Royal Borough of Greenwich is creating three new senior posts as it presses ahead with its Transport Strategy. This is linked to the council’s Carbon Neutral Plan and the corporate Our Greenwich Plan, as part of transformational work that has been rolled out over the past two years. Here Greenwich Council’s Ryan Nibbs talks to Local Transport Today about how the council, having secured funding and proven its delivery capabilities, is now seeking the resource and people to deliver more change

Ryan Nibbs: Our recent reorganisation has realigned services and watch this space as there is more to come, lots of jobs at various levels are on the way

Ryan Nibbs: Our recent reorganisation has realigned services and watch this space as there is more to come, lots of jobs at various levels are on the way

Greenwich Council is engaging with communities on its plans to introduce more 20mph zones

Greenwich Council is engaging with communities on its plans to introduce more 20mph zones

Local Transport Today: The council is seeking staff for three new senior roles - Head of Parking, Head of Highways and Traffic and Head of Programmes and Public Realm. Why are these roles being created?

Ryan Nibbs: We have some amazing opportunities available. We have been through a period of significant change and we are seeking leadership to establish improvement and change to bring us to an award winning Transport division. Our recent reorganisation has realigned services and watch this space as there is more to come, lots of jobs at various levels are on the way. We have achieved so much but there is lots more to do at Royal Borough of Greenwich.

LTT: So, why are you bringing in new senior staff now?

RN: Alongside my Director of Communities, Environment and Central, Mirsad Bakalovic, who has worked at a number of local authorities in the Parking and Transport sector, we set out a vision for the Transport division in early 2022, which is really taking shape. With our Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment Councillor Averil Lekau, and the Leader Cllr Anthony Okereke, strong leadership and decision making has got us to this point.

LTT: What progress have you made so far this year in your Transport Strategy aim to invest in better infrastructure for walking and cycling, tackle congestion and improve air quality?

RN: There are a number of projects in the pipeline that we’ve been working on to deliver a step change in the borough. We have a number of cycle routes, Healthy School Streets, 20mph zones and Sustainable Street projects, which we will be engaging with communities on very soon. We also are planning to introduce more cycle parking and electric vehicle charging infrastructure soon.

LTT: What steps has the council taken to ensure proper local engagement?

RN: We are learning all the time on how we can engage better with our communities and we have recently launched a new community engagement pledge and framework. Assisting us with improving our communication and seeking views on where improvements are needed across the borough. We are trying to deliver more efficient improvements and where possible aiming to deliver a range of improvements within our schemes, including improved electric vehicle infrastructure, cycling improvements, parking controls, speed and traffic reduction. The views of residents and businesses are important, in order to help us shape these improvements.

LTT: You have also announced plans to introduce another 20 School Streets over the next two years, adding to the 11 already in operation. What has been the impact of School Streets so far? Is it encouraging behaviour change?

RN: It is really important for us that we look to make the streets outside schools safer, and encouraging children and parents to feel safe to travel to school through a mode of active travel where possible to school. We will aim to make sure that their route to school is safe. Alongside improved road safety, School Streets have also eradicated the problem of engine idling, in term improving visibility and cleaner air.

Ryan Nibbs is Assistant Director – Transport, Communities, Environment and Central at the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Find out more about Royal Borough of Greenwich's new senior posts and how to apply here:

Head of Parking Services 

Head of Highways & Traffic 

Head of Programmes and Public Realm