The first round of applications for the Sustainable Travel Town Programme has now closed. Opening in a new window
What are Sustainable Travel Towns?
STTs are an innovative approach to reshaping the local highway network and places as a whole, in line with the sustainable transport objectives set out in the Local Transport Plan.
STTs will consist of a package of measures that will achieve a significant switch to walking, cycling and public transport.
The overall outcome will be that a STT will feel considerably different to the current conditions in the town. The general perception to all highway users will be that pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users will have a greater priority than they do at present, leading to a higher level of natural enforcement and behavioural change.
The improvement in the general environment will have the additional benefits of:
- improving public health though better air quality and more physical activity
- enhancing the local economy
- promoting social interaction
- generating a sense of place.
However, it should be recognised that there will need to be significant “sticks” along with the “carrots” to deliver these sustainable travel objectives. These are likely to include reduced parking standards in new developments and tighter restrictions on parking on existing highways, as well as changes to traffic signal priorities and highway space reallocations.
However, the selection of the package of measures and the award of funding will be based on how effective they will be in combination in achieving the overall aims across the town.
What are their elements?
Each STT will be a package of elements which will combine to achieve the intended sustainable transport and related outcomes.
The package will be individual to each STT, but each will contain elements of demand management, new infrastructure for sustainable transport (walking, cycling and public transport) and behavioural change programmes.
STTs will also contain elements which enhance the overall perception of the town and its transport system for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users. Hence elements such as lighting, natural surveillance and planting will also be important.
Potential measures which could be combined to form the overall scheme.
What areas will they cover?
As the name implies, the geographic extent will be limited to a single urban area. However, it may be appropriate for a STT to cover only part of one settlement e.g. the town centre or a major employment area.
Who can propose one?
The first round of applications has now closed.
We're inviting suggestions for potential STTs from any organisation. However, all proposals will need to have the support of the relevant town and district / borough council to be considered.
Organisations putting forward proposals will need to undertake research into the opportunities for modal shift and have a clear vision for the area being considered.
What funding is available?
There is no allocated budget for the delivery of the programme. Any STT will need to seek additional funding from central government and other organisations.
There is an expectation that a level of joint funding will be required from other key stakeholders, including the submitting organisation, district / borough councils and public transport providers.
How many will there be?
The size of the programme will depend on the quality of the proposals submitted. We expect that only one or two STTs will be delivered at any one time.
How do I submit a proposal?
The first round of applications has now closed.
Who will deliver them?
We will be the lead authority for delivering the overall STT programme, but other partners will be required to deliver particular elements.
Potential measures to be delivered
It is essential that the combination of elements selected is appropriate for the needs and opportunities within the town, and that all elements of the package are delivered.
Elements which could make up the overall STT package are listed below:
Infrastructure
- Cycling routes
- Cycle parking
- Walking infrastructure, including widened footways and new links
- Pedestrianisation and shared space
- Safe crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists
- Bus priority infrastructure (e.g. bus lanes and priority at traffic lights)
- High quality waiting facilities on bus routes
- Park and ride
- Real time information screens
- Signing and wayfinding
- Seating
- Lighting
- Reallocation of road space away from the private car
- High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes
- Traffic calming
- Charging points for electric bicycles
Travel planning
- Enhanced school travel plans
- Business travel plans
- Station travel plans
- Residential travel plans
- Personal travel plans
- Walking and cycling audits
Promotion and marketing
- Marketing and promotion of active travel
Maintenance
- Maintenance of footways, cycleways, bus priority measures
- Environmental maintenance of footways etc
Planning elements
- Higher density housing
- Reduced parking standards for new developments (including car-free developments)
- Parking restrictions (including footway parking)
- Urban landscape design
- Provision of local employment services and facilities
- Measures to prioritise cycle / walk / bus access from new developments
- Direct walking / cycling routes from new developments to existing facilities
- Ensuring that new development is accessible by existing bus services
Transport provision
- Improved bus services
- Improved train services
- Improved access to key public transport nodes
- Consideration of multimodal interchanges
Other measures
- Planting
- Cycle training (for all ages)
- Decluttering of footways
- Enforcement of parking restrictions
- HGV /delivery restrictions – movements and timings
- Car clubs
- Bike hire schemes
- Shared mobility schemes