A spotlight on: Principal Transport Planner Melissa Vento

Melissa Vento is a Principal Transport Planner with over 15 years’ experience in the industry.

She provides technical and project management support for a wide variety of clients and projects, including the completion of complex active travel strategies, transport development control, parking, and travel demand studies. We spoke to her to find out more about her career journey, how she entered and developed within the industry.

How did you get into the industry and why?

When I studied geography at Greenwich University, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do afterwards. Usually, geography graduates became teachers or town planners at the time when I graduated. So, after university, I returned to my hometown and worked for my local council as a Planning Enforcement Officer. At the time, my goal was to become a town planner, not a transport planner.

However, one of my friends from university took the route towards transport planning which exposed me to the work she was involved in and when an opportunity arose with Mouchel Parkman (now WSP) I was hired as a graduate transport planner.

I wasn’t sure at first, but the different projects I could work on convinced me. I learnt various skills such as, report writing to complete Transport Assessments and Travel Plans, computer aided design and junction modelling. Since then, I have never looked back.

Who can be a transport planner?

Anyone who loves a little bit of analysis! The transportation industry is always changing. There are new tools and many ways to solve problems which is what I enjoy. As with many geographers, I like analysing maps and data. Transport planning really leans towards that type of work.

Being a transport planner requires flexible thinking. It’s a career that suits people from different backgrounds and experiences who can also adapt to change easily. It’s better if people have different perspectives as it leads to finding better solutions. However, sustainable and active travel is always at the forefront of transport planning and that’s something that hasn’t changed.

Being an all-round transport planner will help you take on different types of work and provide value to projects. In my role I work with several clients, who have unique needs and objectives and I’ve got to be versatile and tailor the offer. At Project Centre, it’s great to work on such a variety of projects, for example, active travel schemes, highways development control, travel demand-based projects and parking feasibility studies.

How did you join Project Centre?

At my previous company, I started managing projects and people on my own. I also became a mother. I was a committee member at London CIHT. Around this time, I met the current Director of Environment for Marston Holdings, Nick Ruxton-Boyle, who introduced me to Project Centre who was at the time Technical Director of Transport Planning. The company goals and people culture matched with mine. Their flexible working policy helped me re-organise my work-life balance with being a new mum. I was offered a Senior Transport Planner role at Project Centre in 2018.

What do you like about Project Centre?

I love that Project Centre really trusts its people. Everyone is friendly and supportive, and this culture plays a big part in my career development. I have formed many great relationships with colleagues from regional directors to apprentices’ which is not always possible in other organisations. Most of all I truly love the transport planning team I work with; they are the best colleagues I could have ever asked for!

What are your views on inclusivity and diversity in the workplace?

At my previous job, ethnic diversity was minimal, and I was the only woman in the office at the time. When I became a mother flexible working was not necessarily embraced for those that required it which made me rethink my value and future at the company. After the pandemic most companies’ welcome hybrid working and support flexible working. I think this is extremely important to retain talented staff who want to grow their families, are carers, or simply need a career break .

Project Centre is probably the most diverse organisation I’ve worked in. There’s a good mix of people across all ages, race and gender. I also feel comfortable talking to other teams, it’s easier to share ideas and I enjoy learning about other people’s work and cultures.

I lead the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion group to raise awareness and celebrate diversity at Project Centre. We raise awareness on a range of topics including religion, culture and disability including neurodiversity. We also communicate and encourage attending useful webinars as part of our membership to Inclusive Employers.

Moreover, Project Centre’s Women Learning and Development Network is doing incredible work. They’ve introduced and enhanced policies like flexible working and maternity leave. This is great for people who are thinking about having children as with the rising cost of childcare it can be almost too expensive to return to work.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a transport planner?

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s local cycling and walking infrastructure plan was a massive project and the biggest challenge I’ve faced.

Firstly, I was quite new to active travel schemes. There were many unfamiliar challenges which arose such as working with other disciplines, and changes in the project’s scope which led to financial change controls. However, I delivered a successful project to the client thanks to support from various colleagues.

I learned many lessons and took them into the next major project I managed. For example, managing client’s expectations, tracking finances regularly and the importance of communication.

The challenges I’ve faced throughout my career helped me gain valuable experience that I can share with others. That’s why I joined the mentorship programme at Project Centre. I also enjoy learning from junior colleagues because they have a different way of looking at things at times. This is something we need to do more often as we move up the career ladder.

What is your favourite Project Centre project and why?

My favourite project was working on the A308 corridor for The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. I was project manager and the scheme involved collaboration between transport planners, traffic engineers and engagement consultants, to understand the traffic and transport issues affecting the route.

The Windsor and Maidenhead route is a key corridor to economic growth and cohesion for the local community. Through detailed traffic data analysis and stakeholder engagement, we identified sustainable solutions to improve active travel across 42 locations in the corridor.

This scheme was a great example of collaborative work with the Council as well as colleagues from other disciplines.

As an experienced project manager, you’ve worked on a variety of schemes. What are your aims for the future now?

Since joining Project Centre, I went from Senior to Principal Transport Planner and now I’m aiming to become an Associate. But I still have work to do in terms of personal development.

I’m confident that my future is at Project Centre. Here, I feel empowered to grow as a leader, and as someone that others can look up to. I also want to grow the transport planning team and support other disciplines within the company.

Can you share a piece of career advice for our new starters?

Firstly, speak to people and meet colleagues as often as you can. Understanding and collaborating with other teams, even having a chat, will help develop your career in more ways than you think.

Secondly, when working on a project, save completed tasks for future learning and reflection. This will be helpful for applying what you learn in future projects and sharing that information with your team. As you build on your knowledge and experience, going back to work you’ve completed is extremely useful.

Thirdly, ask questions no matter how insignificant or silly you think they might be. There is always someone at Project Centre that will be available to help and guide you where possible. Your learning journey will be much easier and faster the more questions you ask.