Why Diversity and Inclusion matter on transport construction sites

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New guidance from the APPG for Women in Transport, supported by Avanti West Coast

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as part of Health and Safety strategies report cover

At Women in Transport, we are proud to act as Secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Women in Transport, which has launched new guidance on embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into every stage of infrastructure delivery.

Inclusion is a safety issue - not just an HR concern

With women making up just 27% of the transport workforce, and construction sites accounting for 37% of workplace fatalities last year, the case for change is clear.

The report shows that inclusive workplaces don’t just support fairness — they are safer, more resilient and better at retaining talent. Drawing on parliamentary evidence sessions, industry input and case studies, it outlines five key actions for the transport and construction sectors:

  1. Challenge outdated cultures

  2. Build and retain diverse teams

  3. Learn from other sectors

  4. Embed inclusion from the design stage

  5. Prioritise accessibility

This guidance is a call to action for decision makers and leaders across the sector. If we want to build infrastructure that works for everyone, we must design it with inclusion at its core — from site to station.

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