Let’s have a healthy discussion about we travel

Parking and car use will be key themes at the Sustainable Transport & Health Summit 2017

The Sustainable Transport & Health Summit is the key event and showcase of 2017 for transport, parking, public health and urban professionals involved in delivering active lifestyles that help make healthier places. The UK government recognises the important role of transport in building healthy places where people want to work and live and has committed to supporting sustainable travel initiatives. The government has made significant funding available for sustainable travel – some £580m in total. The Access Fund, launched in July 2016, will come on-stream in 2017/18. The Cycling and Walking investment strategy (CWIS) for England will set out a long-term vision for walking and cycling to 2040.

Two days of learning

The Department for Transport is also supporting Landor LINKS’ Sustainable Transport and Health Summit 2017, which is being hosted by Bristol City Council. The event will showcase the quality sustainable travel infrastructure and behaviour change initiatives that are incentivising active travel choices. It will explore how local authorities, practitioners and communities are making the most of significant new opportunities for closer collaboration between transport planning, public health and regeneration professionals in order to: improve health; deliver economic growth; benefit the environment; and influence greater uptake in active travel.

On the first day delegates will get the chance to tour Bristol by both bike and on foot, take part in ‘speed learning’ sessions and network in a social setting. The second day will feature a range of seminars on subjects such as health and wellbeing, travel planning, managing parking, integrating transport modes, collaborative working and evaluating projects.

Parking and health

The management of cars and parking at NHS sites will be a major theme at the Sustainable Transport & Health Summit 2017. Parking at NHS sites is a key issue for local authorities, practitioners and communities. Due to increasing pressure on existing car parks, NHS Trusts are increasingly looking at ways of ensuring spaces are available for essential staff, patients and visitors.  

The approaches available to Trusts and hospital management include creating more spaces, more efficiently managing existing space, and using travel planning approaches to encourage a shift to public transport, walking, cycling and car sharing.

The conference will also look at the wider impacts of the car on individual and social health, examining the positive impact of reducing car dependency and cutting emissions. 

The event will identify best practice in developing travel plans and providing adequate transport and car parking for NHS Trusts in England, including: 

• Parking as part of the Trust’s overall commitment to putting patients first 
• Determining parking priorities ?
• Aligning essential travel planning to support effective car park management?
• Obtaining buy-in from senior management, governors, staff and unions to changes
• Managing relationships with residents and patients
• Funding infrastructure improvements and choosing the right infrastructure 
• Charging policies, concessions and mechanisms ?
• Introducing sustainable car parking permit solutions for staff, patients, visitors and service providers. 

The Sustainable Transport & Health conference is organised by Landor LINKS, hosted by Bristiol City Council and sponsored by Atkins and the Urban Transport Group.