The best of the Capital's transport industry were recognised on Thursday 7th March at the 16th annual London Transport Awards. 400 industry professionals were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of those who work hard to make a real difference to transport across London.
Hosted, for the second consecutive year, by industry favourite Leon Daniels, the ceremony was held in Vauxhall's Park Plaza Riverbank hotel.
Transport for London Commissioner Mike Brown MVO gave the keynote speech and said:
The London Transport Awards brings together and celebrates the achievements of a truly inspiring group of people who plan for and support millions of journeys across London and the South East each day. Transport professionals meet this demand with energy, drive and determination – supporting economic growth that benefits the entire country.
"Congratulations to all the winners and entrants for everything they've done to ensure this industry thrives in the future and helps build a better London for the generations to come.
Waltham Forest beat out City of London Corporation to scoop up the 'top award' of the night – Transport Borough of the Year (endorsed by TfL). Growing faster than other London Borough, Waltham Forest successfully bid for £27million of Transport for London's Mini-Holland funding to invest in infrastructure, ensuring its growth is sustainable. Infrastructure improvements consist of more than 22km of segregated and semi-segregated cycle lanes, 104 upgraded pedestrian crossings and the introduction of 43 modal filters. The programme also includes the introduction of area based Town Centre and Village scheme improvements that have removed non-local through traffic, introduced pocket parks and created an environment where walking and cycling becomes a default choice for local journeys.
Rail Operator of the Year was won by MTR Corporation (Crossrail Limited) whose significant performance improvements on their two different, distinct service groups impressed the judges. Since taking over operations of the Liverpool Street to Shenfield line in May 2015, and then services from Paddington to Heathrow in May 2017, MTR Crossrail has delivered improvements not only with regards to performance, but to passenger safety, a positive customer experience, and proactive communication. When open, MTR Crossrail will be the operator of the new Elizabeth line.
Arriva South London scooped up the TfL endorsed 'Bus Operator of the Year' prize. In a recent review of their performance data, Arriva London South has scored best in London for high frequency reliability, second best for staff lost mileage, second best for traffic lost mileage and just as good in other metrics. The company also demonstrates good partnership working with TfL.
The Stuart Ross Young Transport Communications Professional of the Year Award commemorates the life and work of Stuart Ross, Transport for London's Director of News, who sadly passed away in 2016. Described as a breath of fresh air by colleagues, Ben Miles took home this very special award. Since joining Abellio in Autumn 2017, as communications manager, Ben has completely upgraded, renewed and improved the entire communications to the business.
The frontline employee award which recognises the hardworking actions of the individuals on our frontline. This year's winner Ellie Wooldridge, Master, MBNA Thames Clippers, has worked extremely hard to develop her career. Whilst still a Customer Service Assistant, she was instrumental in saving the lives of two people who had come into danger, and since then has risen through the company to become the fifth female captain in the history of the service. Her tenacity and willingness to go above and beyond her day job to nurture, coach and mentor new staff has added great value to her organisation. She has become a role model for females across the transport industry.
The winner of 'Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport in London' was handpicked by our judging panel. Described by the judges as 'a good all-rounder' and some who is 'energetic and enthusiastic when it comes to improving transport in her borough', Cllr Feryal Demirci has been a Labour Councillor since 2006, a member of the council's cabinet since 2010 and most recently was elected as Deputy Mayor of Hackney. During this time she has overseen Hackney's transition to London's best cycling borough and is London Councils' cycling champion. She has fought to set up the UK's first ultra-low emission vehicle area in Shoreditch, despite pushback from local motorists. She has also introduced three substantial bus schemes with new bus priority on Well Street and Hackney Wick and is in the process of returning Wick Road to two-way operation that will transform bus journeys to the Olympic site and Stratford.
The London Transport Awards, in association with Transport Times magazine, were judged by Professor David Begg, Chair of the judging panel and Chief Executive of Transport Times; Janet Cooke, Chief Executive, London Travel Watch; Katharina Winbeck, Head of Transport, Environment and Infrastructure London Councils and Richard Dilks, Transport Director, London First.
The full list of award winners and those who were highly commended is as follows:
Transport Borough of the Year (endorsed by TfL)
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Excellence in Cycling and Walking
London Borough of Brent - Cycling and Walking in Brent: Meeting the Challenge
Highly Commended
Royal Borough of Greenwich - Thames Path Missing Link
Most Effective Road Safety, Traffic Management & Enforcement Projects sponsored by FirstGroup
City of London Corporation - Bank on Safety
Bus Operator of the Year endorsed by TfL
Arriva London South
Rail Operator of the Year
MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited
Most Innovative Transport Project
Abellio London - Safety Innovation Trial of Mobileye Technology, Under the Transport for London Safety Innovation Fund
Contribution to Sustainable Transport
Bombardier - Old Oak Common: The UK's most sustainable transport depot
Highly Commended
Sustrans and Royal Borough of Greenwich - Drings Zero Emission Deliveries
Excellence in Technology
Optare - delivering the a truly zero emission electric double decker
Transport Team/Partnership of the Year
Islington, Hackney and Haringey Councils - Saddle and Sole: a cycling and walking festival
Transport Supplier of the Year
Trueform
Excellence in Transport Accessibility
London Gatwick Airport - the drive to be the UK's most accessible airport
Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing
London Borough of Ealing: Summer of Cycling
Highly Commended
Bromley's Red Bus Project
Airport of the Year sponsored by Amey
London City Airport
Frontline Employee of the Year sponsored by Go-Ahead
Ellie Wooldridge, MBNA Thames Clippers
Highly Commended
Colin Marlow, Abellio London
Auriel Barote, Abellio London
Andrew Brunswick, Abellio London
Nelson Colque, Abellio London
Barbara Martin, London Borough of Hillingdon
Nathan Saviour, Abellio London
The Stuart Ross Young Transport Communications Professional of the Year Award
Ben Miles, Communications Manager, Abellio London
Highly Commended
Doolin O'Reilly, London Borough of Hackney
Gemma Hearsum, Active Travel Officer, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Victoria McNish, Account Manager, Newington Communications
Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport in London
Cllr Feryal Demirci, London Borough of Hackney
LU Customer Service Team of the Year
Edgware Road Station – Bakerloo Line
The awards are organised by Transport Times Events
For further information contact: Transport Times Events on 0207 828 3804.
Images can be purchased from www.simply-photography.co.uk
Contact Kirsty Walton, Events Manager
Tel: 0207 828 3804
Email: [email protected]
