Tony Cross

Tony is Managing Partner of Empiric Partners LLP, (EP) and Managing Director of Cross 2 Consultancy Ltd, advising on transport planning and development. His career in transport and land use planning has three key themes. These are strategic direction, innovation and leadership which combined form the nucleus of his experience and expertise over a 40-year period. He has been associated with Gatwick Green since 1997, first through his role as Head of Passenger Transport at on transport to The Wilky Group. He has appeared as an expert witness at past Crawley Borough Council Local Plan Examinations (EIP) in support of Gatwick Green and has led the transport consultants in preparing representations for the forthcoming EIP.

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Key Skills/Achievements

Strategic management in local government, consultancy and academia.

Project managing through to implementation; excellent record of delivering complex projects.

Assembling multi-disciplinary teams and working alongside a range of professionals.

Innovative solutions; award winning schemes; new ways of funding

Policy development in land use and transport planning

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Experience

Development Planning

Providing advice at initial, conceptual phase of new development and advising developers on choice of sites to ensure maximum level of sustainability. Contributing to the detailed design and planning of new development to facilitate vehicle access, public transport infrastructure and safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists. He works alongside agencies and authorities with responsibility for roads and transport services to fully integrate land use planning with mass transit schemes designed to attract high levels of public transport use. Excellent record of delivering complex development projects which minimize impact on the environment.

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Stakeholder Engagement

Tony has extensive experience of working with key transport agencies to agree mitigation for new development. This includes the Highways Agency, Network Rail, Local Highway authorities and transport operators in the Public and Private sectors.

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Public Inquiries

Tony has appeared at a number of public inquiries in support of transport schemes which facilitate industrial, residential and commercial development.

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Examples of Major Development Projects

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Gatwick Green

Led the transport consultants and advised the client on all access, public transport, walking and pedestrian matters associated with this major development in north east Crawley. Represented The Wilky Group at Public Inquiries and in negotiation with highway and transport authorities. Secured the support of the local bus operator.

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East of Exeter Development

Provided specific advice on public transport for the new community proposed and now developed in East Devon. This included bus services and a new rail station on the Exeter - Waterloo line. This led to ongoing engagement with Devon County Council who promoted the new station which now serves the community.

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Swindon, Major Mixed-Use Development

Designed and planned the transport services on the southern fringe of Swindon as part of a major residential development. Secured planning permission for a park and ride site and appeared at Local Plan Inquiry in support of the scheme.

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OMEGA, Warrington

Tony was responsible for addressing the transport needs of this major development in North West Warrington, one of the largest of its kind in the UK. He played a significant role in securing planning permission for the site.

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Technical Director, Longstanton New Settlement

Advised developer on guided bus to serve major new development north of Cambridge. Part of a 23km Rapid Transit System for the city which is now in operation.

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Technical Director, Bath Rapid Transit

Advising developer, Bath & North-East Somerset Council and South West Regional Development Agency on potential for Rapid Transit to serve the city. Appeared at Inquiry in support

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Rail

Bank Underground Station

Director of URS team commissioned to forecast the impact of closing sections of London Underground to enable redevelopment of Bank station and its overground buildings. This involved significant modelling and the reconfiguration of underground services to minimise the impact on passengers during peak and off-peak times. The project is expected to deliver significant benefits to the public transport networks in the city area of London.

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HS2, Phase 1

Tony led the overarching Transport Assessment within the Environmental Overview Consultant team responsible for the EIA for Phase 1 of the HS2 project between London and Birmingham. This involved the preliminary work to specify an approach to a TA of this scale and complexity and its subsequent implementation. He contributed towards the technical analysis and reporting which formed a key component of the Environmental Impact Assessment. As a member of the Transport Planning team Tony also provided a significant input to the consultation which was undertaken as part of the EIA.

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Career Summary

Managing Partner, Empiric Partners, Aug 2017 –

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Present, Basingstoke, Hampshire

Empiric Partners provide advice and support to a variety of business and public-sector clients, helping to exploit opportunities and remove barriers to success. A unique and highly effective approach, derived from practical experience is employed to support private companies, corporate business and the public sector. The management of change, improving efficiency of services provided by local government and companies are an important focus of Empiric Partners.

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Managing Director, Cross 2 Consultancy Ltd, Feb 2015 – Present, Whitchurch, Hampshire

Established this business to provide support and advice to public and private sector organisations in Passenger Transport Services and Development Planning. He continues to specialise in public transport, covering road, rail and airport issues. Tony has provided advice to those directly involved in the provision of bus and other road based transport as well as rail and transit systems.

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Head of Business Development and Strategy, AECOM, (formally URS), 2013 – 2015 Basingstoke

Assumed responsibility for strategy and development within the sector incorporating services in all aspects of planning, transport and environment. There were some 800 staff within the sector and responsibilities included the identification of new business and markets together with the development of a Work Winning team.

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Director and Global Head of Transport Consultancy, URS, (formally Scott Wilson), 2008 – 2013, London

Tony was appointed to this position within Scott Wilson to bring together the disparate elements of the Transport business in the UK and internationally. He sat on the Strategic Consultancy Board and contributed to decisions in this sector.

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Board Director, WSP Development, 2000 – 2008, Basingstoke

Tony was appointed to a newly established post in sustainable transport with the objective of assembling a team within the then Development division of the business. He grew the team to 175 full time personnel.

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Group Leader Sustainable Transport, West Sussex County Council 1995 – 2000, Chichester

This appointment was created to develop a team with cross cutting capabilities in passenger transport and land use planning. Tony’s main responsibilities were to direct staff; manage consultants; ensure budgeted expenditure, income and targets were met.

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Director of Masters Degree Course, University of Wales College of Cardiff, 1991 – 1995

Recruited into this post in the five star Department of City and Regional Planning to revise and develop the Masters Degree in Transport Studies.

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Senior Transport Consultant, Steer Davies Gleave, 1988-1991

Academic Posts at Loughborough University and Cranfield University, 1981-1988