Following the success of travel plans in tackling access problems at other locations, a pilot of Station Travel Plans (STPs) was set up in 2008. This was led by local authorities and the rail industry through the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Information and cycling initiatives were found to be easiest to implement and were a focus at most stations, with many also promoting walking. Bus initiatives ranged from information to...

Any industry delivering great products and services needs to support provision with sufficient promotion through information and marketing. If Smarter Travel is partly about marketing, and there is evidence that this marketing works, then why is investment in Smarter Travel so low? Elected representatives still behave as if they are treading on eggshells when they talk about demand management, and still describe smarter travel initiatives as “experimental” 20 years after most of the...

The economy of South Yorkshire and the Sheffield City Region is undergoing a major transformation. The creation of new jobs, improvement of skills and increase in productivity are at the heart of this. Our transport system and travel culture are an integral part of this change, because they need to facilitate employment opportunities and maximise efficiency, while at the same time minimising carbon emissions and other impacts on our area’s high quality natural environment. The Local...

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and the area’s 10 local authorities received £32.46m through the LSTF process, and has locally identified a further £21m to deliver improvements to active travel schemes, a supporting “smarter choices” travel promotion package, and enhanced community transport solutions. In support of these local developments and travel promotion activities, the package presents three prioritised technology measures designed to lock-in the...

For over 10 years Nottingham has been working towards achieving one shared objective: providing a high quality, integrated, attractive and affordable public transport system. Our successful public transport network now carries 76 million passengers a year. Since 2003 the number of passengers has increased 13% and, unlike most of English cities, Nottingham has experienced a renaissance in bus use reflecting the high standards of quality. The Nottingham Local Transport Plan’s vision is to...

For many people, one of the biggest barriers to cycling is working out how to get to places using a route that fits their needs. Some have the confidence to take direct routes along main roads, but many more need some reassurance that they won’t have to mix with fast traffic or use busy roads. Until our network of cycling infrastructure is to Dutch or Danish standards, a key part of this will be providing good quality, user-focused maps helping people plan their journey. More people are...

A brief re-cap of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme in London is appropriate before thinking about how a similar scheme might work elsewhere. The cycle hire scheme was introduced in 2010 as part of a wider strategy aimed at increasing cycle mode share four-fold to 5%. Initially, it was open only to registered scheme members, but in spring 2011 it was opened up to all. A year on from its launch, the headline statistics were: 400 docking stations; 6,000 bikes; 130,000 members; over 6 million...

Reading Borough Council has led the delivery of a successful local sustainable transport fund (LSTF) large funding package of £21m for the Reading urban area. The funding is a catalyst for delivery of much needed sustainable travel facilities, and also a means of rolling out a whole new wave of technology driven solutions. But for this to be a success, it can’t be a case of “build it and they will come”, install and hope, or just experimental projects. This investment...

The world of car clubs currently has a relatively low profile, but there is a lot happening that makes the local press. For example, trials have recently taken place using hydrogen-powered cars for a short spell in the Aberdeen car club. The new E-Car Club using Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicles (EVs) started operating in October and has made the front page of the Oxford Mail already. New ‘car-sharing’ models like peer-to-peer operator Whipcar and one-way operator car2go, have also...

When I see an adult on a bicycle”, HG Wells allegedly said, “I do not despair for the future of the human race”. The notion that active travel is a “good thing” is not new. But the political and practical treatment of active travel has changed significantly in recent years, not least in London. The idea of “active travel” is imprecise. It is generally taken to mean walking, cycling and wider behaviour changes stimulated by travel demand management...

With the outlook for the European market still gloomy at best, many UK businesses are looking abroad for new opportunities. At SKM Colin Buchanan, we are not only looking overseas for new projects, but also to what can be learnt from our international colleagues whose projects haven’t always been affected by the same levels of austerity cuts. These can provide inspiration for LSTF projects, which will enable the UK to implement significant behaviour change projects alongside capital...

Welcome to the first edition of ‘Re-booting Smarter Travel’ which is the beginning of a series of publications and events which aim to redefine the future of sustainable transport. Why ‘re-boot’? It seems clear that attitudes towards sustainable travel have improved dramatically in recent years, evidenced by the increasing popularity of cycling, young people driving less, and the trend towards lower car use. The £1bn Local Sustainable Transport Fund, therefore,...

All Government agencies should jointly agree and work to a timetabled delivery plan because projects are delayed by parties such as utilities and Network Rail working to varying timescales and objectives, senior local government officials have urged. The Association of Directors of Environment, economy, Planning and Transport has called for a memorandum of understanding to secure the necessary cooperation. ADEPT says that the experiences of Infrastructure UK in driving progress on the 'top 40'...

Chancellor George Osborne has announced a £30bn National Infrastructure Plan in his autumn statement with new road and rail links the major items alongside spending on power stations and schools. Projects to get the go-ahead include the TransPennine rail electrification, new managed motorway schemes, the extension of the London Underground Northern Line to Battersea and 20 local transport projects. Tolls will be considered as a means of financing new road projects. Rail fare rises in January...

The Highway Maintenance Efficiency Programme is 'sector led' – is this a nice piece of government jargon or reality?  Well for the HMEP, it is a case of practicing what it preaches.  HMEP was formally established in April following a successful bid by the Secretary of State for Transport for funding under last year’s spending review.  The basis of that bid was formed following discussions with the public and private sectors on the things (activities and products)...