Route Forward event details | 16 September

04 September 2025

We’re looking forward to seeing you at our free, half-day conference on Tuesday 16 September 2025 at the Clayton Hotel, Leeds.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Event details

• Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025

• Venue: Clayton Hotel, City Walk, Sweet Street, Leeds, LS11 9AT

• Registration opens: 09:00

• Conference runs: 09:30 – 13:00

The day includes:

• Expert insight from across the industry

• Legal and policy updates on franchising and re-regulation

• Real-world case studies and practical strategies

• A live panel discussion with sector leaders

Agenda

• 09:00 – 09:30 Arrival & registration
• 09:30 – 09:40 Welcome
  • David Guest, Former Chief Reporter, BBC
• 09:40 – 10:00 The Bus Services (No.2) Bill: What you need to know
  • James Backhouse, Legal Director, Backhouse Jones
  • Alison Edwards, Director of Policy & External Affairs, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)
• 10:00 –10:20 Helping authorities make the right decision: The LTA toolkit
  • Kat Deyes, Associate Director, Frontier Economics
• 10:20 – 11:00 Panel session: Local transport authority priorities and challenges 
  • Chair : David Guest, Former Chief Reporter, BBC
  • Introduction: Stephen Fidler, Director, Department for Transport (DfT)
  • Panellists: 
    •  Peter Mann, Interim Transport Programme Director, East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)
    • Tim Taylor, Director of Public Transport Operations, West Yorkshire Combined Authority
    • Jonathon Backhouse, Legal Director Backhouse Jones 

• 11:00 – 11:30 Coffee break & networking 
• 11:30 – 11:50 Sustainable locations, the DfT Connectivity Tool and how it could work for you
  • Robert Singleton, Head of Planning, Department for Transport
• 11:50 – 12:15 From insight to impact: How to explore the opportunities 
  • David Leeder, Managing Partner, Transport Investment Ltd
• 12:15 – 12:50 SME bus & coach – bid, collaborate and diversify 
  • Chair : David Guest, Former Chief Reporter, BBC
  • Panellists: 
    • Richard Stevens, Managing Director, Go South West
    • Andrew McGuinness, Regional Manager, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT)
    • James Backhouse, Legal Director, Backhouse Jones
    • Libby Pritchard, Associate Director, Backhouse Jones
• 12:50 – 13:00 Event summary and key takeaways 
  • David Guest, former Chief Reporter, BBC

Getting to the Clayton Hotel

From Leeds train station (approx 15 minutes on foot)

Recommended route:

• Exit the station via the South entrance near platforms 16–17.

• Turn left onto Little Neville Street, then right onto Neville Street.

• Follow the short turns onto Water Lane, then turn right onto Victoria Road.

• Turn right towards City Walk, then left onto City Walk.

• The Clayton Hotel will be on your left at Sweet Street, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9AT.

See map of Leeds train station.

From Leeds bus station

• The hotel is around a 20-minute walk.

• Alternatively, taxis and local bus services are available outside the bus station.

By car & parking

• The Clayton Hotel offers on-site parking.

• Charges are £2.50 per hour.

• Spaces are limited, so we recommend arriving early.

Accessibility

If you require special access arrangements, please let us know in advance by contacting marketing@backhouses.co.uk.

Questions?

For any queries ahead of the day, please contact us at marketing@backhouses.co.uk.

We look forward to welcoming you in Leeds on 16 September 2025.