Oxfordshire Voice: A Focus on Transport
Oxfordshire Voice (OV) approaches its first year anniversary with much still to do, but that was always going to be the case with such a high bar set from the outset. There’s a growing sense of permanence amongst the OV partners with a strong board established and sub boards set up to bolster admin and governance, establish a communications strategy and focus on some of the key issues in more detail, starting with the formation of a transport sub group.
All of the headline issues which OV has set out to find solutions for are inextricably linked, but transport is as fundamental as any of them…and hugely complex. At a recent OV forum hosted by the Ashmolean, representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Network Rail, Oxford University and Cycling UK Oxfordshire outlined the plans in place and proposals for the future of transport in Oxfordshire.
OV has a role to play in helping to present these plans to the business community in a more digestible format as, with so many agencies, plans and policies in place, it really is a minefield to understand a clear way forward. Transport affects Oxfordshire’s business community in so many ways: congestion adds to employee journey times; the working days can be shortened; the effectiveness of employees can be affected by stressful journeys into work…the list goes on.
It is vital for all of Oxfordshire’s employers to voice their opinions as to how the transport infrastructure in Oxfordshire can be improved. Increased engagement from our stakeholders and the business community will help focus the future for sustainable development by providing feedback, sharing knowledge and enabling solutions to be implemented in the short and longer term.
Many businesses in Oxfordshire are leading change to help sustainable and eco-friendly projects make a real impact. OV can enable these businesses to share their thinking and activities to help other businesses make positive changes in their business, for their workforce and for our county as a whole.
If you are leading change or seeking to make changes, OV would be delighted to share your solutions or indeed your current challenges. By sharing insights, knowledge and real world solutions we can all benefit, reduce costs and improve our daily lives.
Playing a role in Oxfordshire Voice has been an enlightening experience and we are creating so many positive links across different organisation to help share ideas, generate better engagement and make positive changes that can help our businesses and all of our communities benefit. Oxfordshire faces a number of serious challenges but through OV we are gaining momentum to work more effectively together for a better future for everyone in Oxfordshire.
The one thing we need you to do is get involved. Share our vision for a more prosperous Oxfordshire for all and support OV as it connects the public and private sectors and gives all of us a platform to work together.
John F Kennedy
OV Partner and Board Member
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