Q&A with Neil Bateman, senior transport planner
Neil Bateman joined Hub Transport Planning as a senior transport planner in September 2023. Read on to find out what he enjoys about the industry and his new role.
Why did transport planning appeal to you as a career choice, and what makes it a good industry to work in?
My early work in transport planning was focussed on surveying and Geographic Information Systems, which was interesting work with a lot of travel and variety, as well as technical challenges which were interesting to solve. Transport planning has continued to be a career with a wide range of work, and interesting challenges needing thinking through. It’s a good industry for people who find solving problems engaging, and creating solutions.
What attracted you to this new role at Hub Transport Planning?
I saw the opportunity at Hub as offering a chance to be part of a tighter team with the ability to know what everyone is doing, have more of a sense of comradery that is sometimes possible in larger multidisciplinary consultancies. Talking with Gerard McKinney and James Parker I felt that communication would be open and direct, and I value that sense of frank honesty in my team leaders.
What have you been working on since starting at Hub?
So far most of my work has been for residential development clients, and I’ve also provided some initial access thoughts for potential solar generation sites.
In our work supporting planning applications I’ve undertaken junction assessment work, access strategy and appraisal advice, transport assessments and travel plans for development.
I’ve also supported our directors in preparing evidence for public inquiry and in particular assessing transport impacts and the benefits of highway mitigation as part of those cases.
What are your qualifications?
I don’t have a degree, rather I completed a training programme to switch from technician to Transport Planner career tracks whilst at JMP Consulting (now part of Systra). I’ve also got a certificate in Higher Education from The Queen’s Foundation, but it’s not transport related.
And finally: what do you do in your spare time?
I am kept busy by two relatively young children at weekends. We live near Cannock Chase so often visit the woods or the wildlife trust centre near us. I’m also a Lay reader in the Church of England, so I help with various services, schools voluntary work and seasonal events.
Contact Neil: neil@hubtransportplanning.co.uk