UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has invited competitive bids from nine conurbations (major urban areas) in the country to become the country’s first Sustainable Travel City (STC). The proposals to become eco-friendly cities that use ‘green’ alternatives to travel, could include programs that encourage walking, providing better cycle routes, implementing dedicated bus routes to destinations, and promoting car-pooling.
The aims of the Sustainable Travel City or Cities are to ease congestion, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase levels of physical activity in the local area. By achieving this, the City will provide a model for others to follow. Green travel initiatives can also include reviewing parking provisions, encouraging online journey planning and personalized travel planning, improving bus stops and shelter, and creating special ‘20 mph’ zones.
The major urban areas eligible to apply, suffer from the worst congestion in the country. The 9 areas include; Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, Merseyside, West of England (Bristol), Nottingham and Leicester.
England should, in fact, take a cue from the city of Cardiff in Wales, which received a GBP28.5 million ($44 million) investment from the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Council, for initiating sustainable transport measures across the capital. Over the next two years, key sustainable transport measures that will run in Cardiff, include a free public bike sharing scheme around the city – similar to the successful Parisian model – alongside the development of more cycle routes and a new pedestrian and cyclist bridge spanning the River Ely and connecting Cardiff to Penarth.
Free bus services looping the city center every five minutes, should also be up and running within the year, while park and ride facilities for commuters coming in off the M4 and pedestrian routes of Cardiff city center are also on the cards. If successful, this ambitious approach to transport will be rolled out across Wales, after two years.
In England, eligible cities will be provided with full details and a bidding timetable during May, with the country’s first ‘Sustainable Travel City’ title due to be announced later in the year. The final total funding will depend on the quality of proposals and the size and number of city partners chosen.
The STC initiative has been launched following the success of the DtF’s three Sustainable Travels Towns program – Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester – which were granted GBP10 million ($15.6 million approx.) over the last five years, to implement green travel initiatives. Their efforts have seen car use fall by up to 9%, walking increase by up to 14% and cycling increase by at least 12%, in the three towns.
The DfT has also announced up to GBP3 million ($4.6 million approx.) of funding to smaller local authorities to help them develop their own green travel initiatives.
