We’re delighted to welcome Ben to the Milestone team! Ben has joined the Planning South Team in our Fleet office as Principal Transport Planner. We sat down with Ben to ask a few quick-fire questions and get to know him a little better!
Tell us about you
Principal Transport Planner with 8 years of experience in both the UK and international markets. I have worked for both SME and large corporate companies before joining Milestone, so feel well versed in the industry.
I completed my A-Levels in Saffron Walden, Essex and studied Geography at Plymouth University.
Proud father of a daughter and owner of two Bengal cats
My experience covers highway and drainage design, foundation design and assessment, utility coordination, and the management of statutory agreements including Sections 38, 278 and 104. Over time, I became increasingly involved in highway design, access strategies, and development infrastructure, which naturally led me to Milestone.
How did you get into Transport Planning
As part of the degree course, we did a module focusing on transport geography which helped me focus in on potential careers post-graduation. The course content, which covered different ways of looking at transport, travel and mobility, explored the grand challenges posed by the way societies move around and looked at how these challenges can be overcome.
Using this as a basis, I investigated careers within the transport industry and came across transport planning, which resonated with me. Once graduated, I secured a graduate Transport Planner role, and I have been in the industry ever since.
What are your Key Technical Skills
I have experience in working with both private and public sector clients providing transport planning, design and assessment of residential, commercial, education and healthcare developments through the planning process.
I have specialised in CAD design thus far in my career. Working on designing new road alignments or realigning existing roads. Design of new junctions to enable access into a site, as well as to standard parking areas and multi-storey car parks.
I have experience of discussing ideas and proposals in design team meetings, working with other consultants to achieve the best outcome for our clients and produce the best possible development.
Your favourite project you’ve worked on (and why)
The UK based project that I have enjoyed most would be the redevelopment of The Criterion building in Picadilly Circus, to redevelop a mixed-use building to comprise retail space, hotel rooms and a theatre, all within one of the most iconic parts of London. This required detailed planning of construction and operational.
Internationally, being involved with the development of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve was a highlight of my time working overseas. Working with a large team of consultants, learning new standards and applying them to the existing network to create a series of tourist sites within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that were both attractive and inviting, but also sympathetic to the protected environment was an interesting challenge.
Internationally, being involved with the development of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve was a highlight of my time working overseas. Working with a large team of consultants, learning new standards and applying them to the existing network to create a series of tourist sites within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that were both attractive and inviting, but also sympathetic to the protected environment was an interesting challenge.
What is the part of the role you are most looking forward to
Getting to know my new colleagues and working together on new and exciting projects and any project which is slightly out of the ordinary and presents a challenge I find interesting. I enjoy projects in which there is a need to find a creative way to solve a problem.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work
You can often find me working on my classic Golf GTi
I’m a lifelong Spurs supporter, for better for (more recently) worse.
I’ve previously worked as a kitchen porter, barman and a chef as a teenager & early 20’s, so I’m well versed in pouring a pint and knocking up a burger.
Quick Fire Round
and finally…
Your best piece of advice for an aspiring Transport Planner/Highway design engineer. Get involved with every aspect of the job early on, report writing, CAD design, junction modelling, site visits etc. Try it all and find what fits you best and work with that, but don’t neglect the other aspects. Try and be as well rounded as possible and open to learning new things.
Ben will be based in our South office in Fleet, if you’d like to connect with Ben to discuss an upcoming project, explore potential collaboration opportunities, or simply find out more about what we do, please click here, he’d be delighted to hear from you!
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If you have a project you’d like to discuss, please get in touch at mail@milestonetp.co.uk. From infrastructure and highway design to transport planning, we are confident that we can assist with your project needs.
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