From gateway to destination: how transport infrastructure can help create thriving communities 

When we talk about transport infrastructure, the conversation often centres around connectivity - getting people from A to B. This is an essential role of transport but what if we reframe the question? What if the opportunity lies not just in moving people through a place, but in drawing them in?

That’s the mindset shift we believe is vital when planning for the future of our towns and cities. With the right focus, transport doesn’t just create gateways - it creates destinations.

Dover: a place with potential beyond the port

Dover is known across the country as a vital entry point, with the iconic white cliffs and castle etched into its identity. It has long been a place people pass through. Ferries, freight, families heading abroad: the port is an economic engine.

But it’s also a place rich in opportunity.

With a long history as a working port connecting people and goods across borders, Dover is perfectly positioned to evolve beyond being a gateway. By investing in and rethinking the spaces around its transport assets, there’s a huge chance to support tourism, local business and community growth.

Imagine arriving at the port and stepping into a revitalised town centre that reflects Dover’s identity and future. A modern, mixed-use waterfront. New workspaces, homes, and public areas that invite people to linger, not just pass through. Safe, attractive walking routes that link the historic high street to the seafront - connecting heritage, community and opportunity in one place.

This isn’t hypothetical, this is the kind of transformation that coastal communities, local authorities and related partners are starting to embrace.

Why transport needs the right surroundings

Infrastructure alone isn’t always enough. A new station, interchange or car park may solve movement challenges, but without thoughtful surroundings, it risks becoming just a functional stop-off.

Strategic investment is now focusing on unlocking potential by aligning transport infrastructure with broader place-making goals. Local leaders are advocating for a shift that makes it easier for visitors to turn up, stay, and explore.

We always advocate for the prioritisation of social infrastructure through a more holistic approach - where transport is seen not as an isolated asset, but as the anchor for public realm, housing, retail and cultural investment.

When transport links are integrated into a vibrant urban setting, they unlock wider outcomes:

• Local economic uplift through footfall and enterprise
• New jobs and homes, attracting and retaining residents
• Boosted tourism and hospitality, tied to their identity
• Sustainable transport choices, built into everyday life.

Turning movement into momentum

Across the country, we’re seeing what happens when transport becomes part of a wider social infrastructure vision.

It’s in bus stations and interchanges that double as safe public spaces, that support sustainability and community pride.

The opportunity in places like Dover is clear. They already have the legacy and the links, now it’s about providing the support to ensure the local community sees the benefit ­- not just in service of the national economy, but for themselves too.

When we design transport infrastructure that’s integrated and inclusive, we create far more than access. We create destinations and places where people want to be.

Read more here on our approach to transport.