Professor’s top transport role

A FORMER Greenfield man has been appointed chief scientific advisor to the Department of Transport.

Professor Roderick Smith’s role will include providing independent advice to ministers, the department management board and policy teams, and ensuring the veracity of science and engineering evidence.

He will also manage the development, delivery, implementation and monitoring of departmental science and innovation strategies.

Professor Smith (64), who works at Imperial College London and is President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, was brought up in Greenfield; his father, Eric Smith, was a former headmaster of Saddleworth School.

Professor Smith said: “There are currently many challenges associated with providing a transport system in the UK which can meet modern aspirations and provide an engine for economic development.

“The Department’s priorities include delivering the Coalition’s commitments on high-speed rail, securing our railways for the future, encouraging sustainable local travel, tackling congestion on our roads and promoting sustainable aviation.

“I look forward to helping meet these objectives by injecting well founded, quantitative and informed engineering data into the decision making processes. The remit is wide and I will be consulting with colleagues from the very large range of industries and interest groups that comprise the railway industry.”