“Mark has played a role in developing our Climate Emergency Response. His interrelated project dependency workshop seeding the conversation which promoted the need for our City Centre Transformation Strategy. Mark was engaging and hugely invested in all of our projects, taking the upmost care regardless of the scale of schemes i.e., equally invested in smaller scale projects as they are with the flagship schemes. All were delivered consistently to a high standard. Mark worked extremely well within our Local Authority environment and understands the contextual operation of the public sector (e.g. political and legislative dimensions). As an individual, Mark is viewed by the Council as ‘one of the team’. His relationship with key council officers fostered a trusted and open relationship which led to a more efficient team. Mark responded positively to changing scope; working within constraints he always came up with solutions and constructive ways of adding value and focusing in on the priorities. Despite many challenges, Mark with his can-do attitude always found a way to recast the approach to still deliver on outcomes. His pragmatism in approach and ‘challenging limitations’ has set a legacy for other capital projects to follow.”

Mark Rinkus led an award winning multi-disciplinary team to develop the George Street and First New Town public realm which will see up to £36million invested in improving the setting and function of one of Edinburgh’s most iconic streets. Set in a world heritage site Mark led the development of the project from initial feasibility through to final concept which involved extensive engagement with the general public, local residents, businesses and numerous stakeholders from heritage bodies to business interests. Mark and the team excelled in the delivery of the concept plans for George Street utilising the teams extensive knowledge and expertise in the fields of communication and engagement, transport planning, placemaking and landscaping. The work undertaken by the team is recognised by the Council as “exemplar” with many of the concepts employed on George Street now being applied to the delivery of other strategy projects throughout the City. The service from Mark and the team was delivered on budget and programme while accepting the need to be flexible and agile in progressing such a challenging project while continually demonstrating value for money at all times.

As Chair of the George Street Association in Edinburgh, I dealt with Mark Rinkus when he was the lead consultant producing a revised concept design for the transformation of George Street. I was impressed with his professionalism and ability to build constructive relations with many different stakeholders.He ably managed a particularly complex assignment given the UNESCO World Heritage status of George Street and the widely varying nature of the many businesses and organisations operating in this iconic street, each with their own requirements for customer access, operating hours, deliveries and loading.Through masterminding an extensive series of business engagement events where they could explain their requirements and him teasing out the scope for adaptation and change, he was able to understand the detail, but never lost sight of the bigger picture. The concept design he produced gained wide acceptance. Perceptive, articulate, persuasive and politically astute, he is someone who will get things done and make a difference.

I have found that Connected Transport Planning provide robust advice that is tailored to the specific requirements of each project. Connected Transport Planning’s advice is technically and commercially proficient therefore, optimum transport and access solutions are developed. The services are delivered in a diligent manner and at cost effective rates.

Connected TP were approached to provide a quotation for a project we were working on based on our previous, very positive, experience of working with their Director, Mark Rinkus. The service received has been prompt, thorough and good value for money. We have been so impressed with the knowledge, experience and performance of Connected TP that we have subsequently engaged them to work on a number of further new commissions.

I will continue to use Connected Transport Planning due to their professionalism, expertise and experience in all transport planning aspects and his commitment to deliver an excellent finished product.

I have had good experience of working with Mark Rinkus since 2012 on various traffic design and management matters in Central Scotland. I have found his technical knowledge and experience invaluable to the design process. His familiarity with the requirements of the Public Sector, and his personal relationships with Council Officers, has been critical to achieving technical solutions in challenging circumstances.He is our Traffic Consultant of choice.

Connected TP produced a comprehensive Transport Statement and Green Travel Plan Framework to accompany a planning application for a new development. The Transport Statement included a qualitive assessment of the existing conditions and set out measures to improve the infrastructure and encourage sustainable travel to site. In our experience, Mark is diligent and excellent at identifying project objectives and implementing plans that help keep the project team to task. There was good communication throughout the process and outputs were received in a timely manner.

Through their proactive, flexible and collaborative approach, Connected Transport Planning has become an essential member of our multi-disciplinary project team providing robust and considered solutions to a broad range of issues and challenges.

We appointed Connected TP midway through a project that needed an urgent review of the transport strategy and liaison with council authority to achieve planning permission. Mark proved to be the most proactive and responsive transport consultant we’ve worked with, particularly for his ability to combine detailed and wider strategic thinking to achieve the client’s objective. Any client organisation and project requiring his services would benefit from having him on the team.

We worked closely with Connected Transport Planning to help unlock the potential of a complex residential development site. Mark’s knowledge of the planning system and direct approach to seeking a speedy resolution was invaluable to our client’s aspirations. I look forward to collaborating with Mark again in the future.

Mark was just brilliant to work with-a strong advocate for the project based on data. Clearly passionate about what he does. Very well networked and able to lead and work as part of the team. Very highly recommended.

CTP provide an excellent are very knowledgeable and are able to develop workable solutions.

I was introduced to Mark a few years ago with a particular transportation problem. Not only did Mark come up with the solution, he worked through the options and explained to me in my language his thinking and the reasons behind that. He gained my trust quickly and hasn’t let me down in any of the many tasks I have put to him. He is my end of the telephone / email go to guy where I don’t need to worry about when is he going to get back to me or just give me the problem back.

We are so pleased we chose Mark Rinkus at Connected Transport Planning Ltd to work with us. He achieved so much in such a short time; he was able to have constructive conversations with the project officer from Transport Planning working for the local authority; advise us and our architects on the best way forward after carrying out a traffic survey; advise on the position of the new access, including turning circles and drive surface. He responded promptly to any queries we had as clients and worked closely with our architects. His ‘can do’ attitude was so encouraging. We hope his input will mean that our project, which is incredibly tricky, will be approved by the planning department.