PHIL REDMOND chaired a meeting to discuss Merseyside’s transport problems.

The Foresight Group, founded by Liverpool University, in partnership with the Merseyside Transport Partnership, held its first meeting to consider the future of transport.

Mr Redmond said: “Transport is something which affects everyone, getting from A to B by car, bus, train, walking or cycling.

“How we choose to travel also affects everyone, with congestion and climate change both growing problems, so the Foresight Group has been convened to bring together a wide range of people to develop exciting ideas about the future of transport on Merseyside.”

The group, which has more than 30 members drawn from a variety of public and private sector organisations, including councils, Liverpool Vision, FACT, Liverpool Biennial and Liverpool PCT concluded that radical thinking was needed to solve Merseyside’s transport problems.

They also pledged their support for the Sustainable Travel City Bid which the Merseyside Transport Group is submitting to promote sustainable travel.

The next meeting in September will assess Merseyside’s transport system.

John Flamson, director of strategic partnerships and development at the University said: “We need to be open to new ideas and to learn. This is an opportunity to challenge not just the plan, but the planning system itself.”