Bircham Dyson Bell retained as public affairs and communications consultants to Merseytravel

The Public Affairs and Communications team at leading law firm Bircham Dyson Bell has been retained as public affairs and communications consultants to Merseytravel. The firm was awarded the 5 year contract as a result of a competitive tender exercise, which initially attracted interest from over 100 firms and agencies.

Merseytravel is the public body responsible for coordinating transport across Merseyside with the aim of delivering a fully integrated and sustainable transport network accessible to all.

Neil Scales, OBE, Chief Executive and Director General, Merseytravel commented:

‘We have ambitious plans for the further development of transport across Merseyside. To deliver these successfully we have to make sure that we are communicating effectively with our stakeholders at the local and national levels and are appropriately contributing to policy development. Through this appointment we have retained a very experienced team with an excellent and in-depth knowledge of the transport sector and the legal, technical, political and policy issues that shape the context in which we are operating.’

Robbie Owen, Partner and Head of Major Projects at Bircham Dyson Bell said:

‘Our Major Projects Group has provided planning, parliamentary and general public law advice to Merseytravel for a number of years. We established our Public Affairs and Communications team with a remit to assist clients in managing policy and stakeholder engagement issues and Merseytravel was one of the first clients to appreciate the benefits of an integrated approach to public affairs and legal advice. Merseytravel is recognised as an innovator in the delivery of transport networks and services and we are delighted that we have been retained to provide ongoing advice to them.'