TOTTON based engineering and design consultancy Gifford has boosted its transportation master planning capability with the appointment of principal transport planner Ken Dudley.

Ken, 53, has immediately started working on several of Gifford's key transportation master planning projects.

These include assessment of transport needs related to the development of Portsmouth Football Club's Fratton Park stadium and the Poole Bridge regeneration project.

Ken has extensive experience in public and private sector town and transportation planning, with a particularly strong background in transport development control.

He has held senior transport planning and engineering positions with the county councils of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and has provided development control support to Buckinghamshire County Council.

Gifford transportation director David Tarrant said: "The appointment of someone with Ken's background and experience will expand our master planning and strategic development planning capability.

"His understanding of the requirements of local authorities in dealing with major development proposals will be a particular asset to the Gifford Transportation Group in serving our wide range of public and private sector clients."

Ken's move to Gifford provides an opportunity to work on significant transportation schemes from the firm's Southampton HQ.

For instance, the major redevelopment proposal for Portsmouth Football Club includes an expanded 35,000 seat stadium together with associated residential and commercial elements.

The scheme to provide a second Poole Bridge is part of a major regeneration project promoted by the Borough of Poole.

Further work will include developing transportation master plans for major development schemes in Watford and Rochdale, together with the provision of specific transportation advice on strategic development proposals such as the new Winchester Cultural Centre.