Greengauge 21 is delighted to announce that Director, Jim Steer, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) by the University of Plymouth, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to transport planning, public policy and society.
The honorary degree, one of the University’s highest distinctions, will be conferred at its graduation ceremony in July 2026. It recognises individuals who have achieved exceptional distinction in their professional careers while making a significant contribution to the wider public good.
In inviting Jim to accept the award, the University highlighted his decades of leadership in transport planning and policy, his collaboration with the University on regional transport initiatives and public lectures, and his recent pro bono work, published by Greengauge 21, examining the long-term transport challenges facing the South West.
Commenting on the award, Jim said:
“I am delighted to accept this honour from the University of Plymouth.”
Championing connectivity for the South West
Throughout his career, Jim has consistently advocated for transport policies that strengthen regional connectivity and support economic growth. He has long argued that Plymouth, the largest city in England reliant on a single rail connection, faces an increasingly unacceptable level of risk as climate change intensifies. With only one rail route serving the city, disruption caused by extreme weather has significant implications not only for residents and businesses, but also for national defence and security, given Plymouth’s strategic importance.
Following the storm damage at Dawlish in 2014, Greengauge 21 examined options for restoring network resilience, including the potential for creating a second rail connection to Plymouth. That work, first published in 2015, recognised the need for a more resilient rail network across the South West. More than a decade later, climate change has only reinforced the urgency of that challenge. Jim has recently been leading further work on the adaptation measures needed to safeguard the region’s transport connectivity, with additional Greengauge 21 proposals expected later this year.
After graduating in Civil Engineering and completing a Master’s degree in Transport Planning, Jim co-founded Steer Davies Gleave (now the Steer Group) in 1978, helping to establish one of the world’s leading transport consultancies.
He went on to serve as Strategic Planning Director at the Strategic Rail Authority before establishing Greengauge 21 in 2005 following the Authority’s closure. Since then, Greengauge 21 has become one of the UK’s leading independent transport policy organisations, producing influential research on rail strategy, connectivity, decarbonisation and infrastructure investment.
Reflecting on Greengauge 21’s work, Jim said:
“With experienced researchers and analysts, we have been able through Greengauge 21 to provide compelling policy research in the transport field – and we aim to continue doing so in the year ahead.”
Looking ahead, Jim believes that adapting Britain’s transport infrastructure to a changing climate will become one of the defining challenges for policymakers and infrastructure owners.
“The challenges of sustaining transport connectivity are getting harder, year on year. As climate change impacts intensify, infrastructure owners will need to continue resilience measures and adopt smarter policies to keep regions like the South West connected. This will include radically different adaptation approaches, given the new climate realities.”
Everyone at Greengauge 21 warmly congratulates Jim on this well-deserved recognition. The award reflects not only his remarkable career in transport planning but also his enduring commitment to developing practical, evidence-based solutions that strengthen connectivity, support regional economies and help shape a more resilient transport network for the future.