Inclusive reform urged on UK transport construction sites

The UK Parliament has urged major reforms in transport construction to support diversity, improve safety, and promote inclusion across all work environments. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Transport issued new guidelines that call for equity, accessibility, and inclusive practices from the design phase to daily operations. Their report, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion as part of Health & Safety Strategies, offers five key recommendations to help shift the culture within the sector.

These recommendations focus on addressing toxic work cultures, building diverse teams, learning from other industries, embedding inclusion early, and prioritizing accessibility in planning and execution.

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Jo Field, Chair of Women in Transport and CEO of JFG Communications, stressed that small adjustments—like fitting personal protective equipment and inclusive safety briefings—can drastically improve site safety. And by ensuring that everyone feels respected and protected, companies can retain valuable workers and expand recruitment.

“Too many sites still lack basic inclusive measures,” Field said. “We must act decisively and collaboratively.”

Case Studies Highlight Transport Sector Commitment

The report was supported by the West Coast Partnership, a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia. It includes examples from Avanti West Coast, which illustrates inclusive hiring and team development.

Dave Whitehouse, Director of Safety, Security & Environment at Avanti West Coast, said they view diversity as an asset. Their recruitment practices focus on creating teams that mirror the communities they serve, and their goal is to foster a workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute.

Whitehouse explained, “We believe inclusivity makes us safer, stronger, and more connected to our passengers.”

Transport Sites Must Embrace Inclusion from Design

Implementing inclusive planning from the outset ensures safer, more supportive workspaces. Because early design decisions impact accessibility and comfort, they should always reflect the needs of all employees.

With these steps, the UK’s transport industry can lead by example and build a culture of trust, equity, and safety that serves workers and communities alike.

Source, photo: www.railwaygazette.com

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