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An active travel toolbox has been launched to help local authorities and their partners make the case for, and improve walking and cycling schemes.
The free toolbox, which includes guides, resources, tools and case studies, is organised into three areas: making the economic case for active travel; linking active travel and public transport to housing growth and planning; the role of active travel in improving health.
It has been written by Sustrans, walking and cycling charity, in partnership with Living Streets, the TAS Partnership and Dr Adrian Davis, following years of working together to advocate for investment in walking and cycling.
Evidence shows walking and cycling can contribute towards economic performance by reducing congestion, supporting local businesses and high streets, and helping to underpin leisure and tourism sectors.
Making it easier for families and communities to walk and cycle can also improve health and air quality.
Current projections suggest the worsening congestion in UK cities is costing the economy £11 billion a year while the economic cost of obesity is £27 billion a year.
The toolbox includes three tools that which can be used for forecasting the impact of planned interventions:
The Infrastructure Impact Tool – estimates the impact of investments in specific types of cycling infrastructure. The Recreational Expenditure Model – estimates the economic benefit of recreational cycling in terms of expenditure in the local economy. The Strategic Investment Tool –aids understanding around the impact and cost of multi-intervention investment.The toolbox arose from the need to bring together information and resources for local government to develop a business case for walking and cycling, plan and deliver active travel schemes in their area and link walking and cycling schemes to planning and public health.
Jason Torrance, England Policy Director at Sustrans, said: “There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates investment in walking and cycling has many economic, social, health and environmental benefits and so it must be prioritised.
“Governments have begun to recognise this, recently with the publication of England’s first Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. The challenge now is to deliver change locally.
“This toolbox brings together existing evidence and supporting case studies from across the UK and beyond to help local authorities and their partners make the case for and deliver walking and cycling solutions on the ground.”
Tompion Platt, Head of Policy and Communications at Living Streets, said: “We welcomed the government’s recent commitment to get more people walking. Now it’s essential that local authorities and LEPs get to work to reduce car use and enable more people to walk and cycle.”
Access the Active Travel ToolboxFor more information, case studies of walking and cycling infrastructure and photos, contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, 07557 915 648, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk
Amy Jones, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, 07768 035318, amy.jones@sustrans.org.uk
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Xavier Brice, Chief Executive of Sustrans, said: “The Government’s plans for tackling poor air quality have signalled the end of the car as we know it, but they lack the necessary government urgency, action or investments to make alternatives to car travel, such as walking and cycling, a realistic option for short journeys.
“The Government cannot shy away any longer from the issue of cars clogging up and polluting our cities, and it must now provide real solutions with new investments for local travel, such as walking and cycling. Local Authorities must be properly supported to put in place clean air zones and tackle the public health emergency of poor air quality.”
Read more about the Government’s Air Quality Plan.
For more information and interviews please contact:
Amy Jones, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, amy.jones@sustrans.org.uk, 07768 035318
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The construction of a new walking and cycling route which will connect Shawfair to Gilmerton is to begin next month.
The 3km traffic-free route, will be delivered by Sustrans Scotland in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and contractors RJ McLeod. It will run along the disused railway path which links communities living in Lasswade, Gilmerton, Danderhall and Shawfair. It is hoped the new path, which is being funded by Transport Scotland through Sustrans Scotland’s National Cycle Network development fund will encourage residents and visitors to explore the area by foot and bike. Sustrans Scotland Engineer and Project Manager Paul Cronin said “This project aims to deliver a valuable extension to the existing walking and cycling network within Edinburgh and Midlothian. “With new housing developments set to start in the area over the next few years, we anticipate this path will become a key route for local residents who wish to walk and cycle. “We will be working closely with local community councils and access groups to ensure the development of the path is safe and attractive for everyone to use.” Construction of the route is set to start mid-August, and as part of the works traffic management will be in place on Old Dalkeith Road and Gilmerton Road at various stages. The path is expected to be completed by December 2017. Please visit the Sustrans website for more information about the project.A popular riverside cycle route between the Royal Armouries and Liberty Dock student accommodation, which was damaged by the Boxing Day floods of 2015, has been repaired and improved by our team in Yorkshire.
The new upgraded path is now a wider, smooth tarmac surface suitable for people on foot or bike and was built thanks to a Leeds Flood Appeal grant, managed by Leeds Community Foundation with support from the Canal and River Trust and South Bank Leeds.
This section of the riverside is well-used by students accessing the city centre, as well as for recreational cycling along the National Cycle routes of the Trans Pennine Trail and Route 66. Sustrans improved 220 metres of path and the team plans further flood repairs further along the path.
Steven Best, our Project manager in Yorkshire, said:
“Cycle routes around Leeds took a battering during the 2015 floods so we’re delighted to access funding to make these improvements. The new tarmac path is perfect for cycling and walking, and links to several routes around the city, and is already being well-used by students and commuters. The new surface should also make it more resilient to any future flooding.
“There are still several other routes which need repairs so we continue to look for partners who can help to finance this work and develop the city’s growing cycle network.”
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A key section of the National Walking and Cycling Network, crossing part of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park has officially opened.
The walking and cycling route, which forms part of the Cross Scotland Pilgrims Way, is situated in the community owned woodland at Dalrigh, Tyndrum. It creates a circular loop from Tyndrum, allowing cyclists to bypass the A82 trunk road. The path has been created by the Loch Lomond& The Trossachs Countryside Trust, a charitable organisation with the aim of encouraging more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. It has been delivered in partnership by Sustrans Scotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Tactran, Forth Valley and Lomond LEADER, the Brown Forbes Memorial Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Strathfillan Community Development Trust. The route takes in impressive views of Ben More, crossing the river Cononish with views of pine forest. Since completion in the last two months, 1446 walkers and 317 cyclists have enjoyed the new path. Speaking at the opening, Natalie Stevenson from the Countryside Trust said: “It has long been an ambition of the communities of Tyndrum and Crianlarich to not only provide a safe access route between the two villages but also to offer new local links to nationally recognised long distance walking and cycling routes such as the West Highland Way and National cycle routes. “This ambition ties in with long term plans to create a network of paths running from the east of the National Park at St Fillans to the west at Tyndrum. This new path gives residents and visitors more opportunities for active travel, to enjoy recreational walks or bike rides or to join longer distance routes. “We are committed to supporting local businesses and communities in achieving this ambition and are thrilled that we can now start work on the next sections around Crianlarich and Killin.” Sustrans Scotland provided £200,000 towards the route, through its National Cycle Network Development fund, which is funded by Transport Scotland. Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government continues to work with a wide range of stakeholders and partners to develop and support ambitious infrastructure projects such as the new Tyndrum cycle path, encouraging more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. “Cycling and walking improves mental and physical health, offering a low cost and low carbon alternative to other modes of transport. More people on bikes and walking means better air quality. “We are spending record levels on walking and cycling which will continue for the duration of this Parliamentary term, and working with our partners, to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the benefits of cycling and active travel.” Sustrans Scotland Deputy Director for Behaviour Change, Kate Campbell: “As a charity which helps to encourage people to walk and cycle for more of the journeys they make every day, it is important that people across Scotland have access to a network of safe walking and cycling routes. “We hope this path will encourage residents and visitors to discover and enjoy more of their local area.” Gordon Watson, CEO of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: “The creation of this new pathway in Tyndrum is another fantastic example of routes being improved or created through the National Park. “This project was a key action in our Outdoor Recreation Plan, which also aims to improve the health of people living in and around the National Park. The new pathway contributes towards the delivery of the National Walking and Cycling Network which is a National priority for Scotland. “Well done to the Countryside Trust for bringing everyone together for this project which will bring huge benefits to the rural communities in this area.” The new path is suitable for cyclists, horses, buggies and walkers and includes a brand new bridge connecting the communities and businesses of Tyndrum and Crianlarich. The Countryside Trust hope to start the next section of path later this year linking the 4.5km to Crianlarich and then a further 22km to the National Cycle Network in Killin.via Twitter https://twitter.com/rubberplaybark
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Our volunteers in Lincolnshire have been going batty about nature. In Skellingthorpe they’ve been installing over twenty home-made bat boxes along a Greener Greenways stretch of the National Cycle Network (Route 64) which runs from Lincoln to Harby.
The Greener Greenways Project is our large scale plan to survey, protect and enhance biodiversity along some of the traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network. They’re good for wildlife, helping to create ‘networks’ that allow wildlife to move, colonise new areas and adapt. Volunteers and staff design and maintain Greenways to make them interesting and attractive for people - and encourage wildlife to flourish.
In May, a group of our volunteers received help from the local community to build over 20 bat boxes which they installed at locations along the route. The volunteers had the benefit of expert advice from the Lincolnshire Bat Group who advised on suitable locations.
Speaking about the project Greener Greenway project Officer (Midlands and East) Sim Duhra said:
“The National Cycle Network isn’t just great for active travel many sections of it have been developed as Greener Greenways which are great for wildlife too! Along this stretch of the network we’ve had sighting of bats, which are a protected species in law. Hopefully the addition of these boxes will enhance biodiversity and give the bats somewhere safe to live.”
Get involved in the project or find out more by contacting Sim Duhra. Find out more about our Greener Greenways projectvia Twitter https://twitter.com/rubberplaybark
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Local community groups are being given the opportunity to apply for up to £2,000 in funding towards artistic and visual improvements to their local National Cycle Network (NCN) routes.
The ArtRoots fund, which is run by Sustrans Scotland and backed by Transport Scotland, seeks to create visually attractive and memorable routes, which encourage people to explore on foot and bike.
Projects which were funded from the first ArtRoots round include recycled seating, chainsaw-carved sculptures, landscaping with a wooden train full of plants and a highland cow on a hillock.
Sustrans Scotland National Director, John Lauder said: “Since the National Cycle Network was founded in 1995, we have worked with numerous artists and sculptors to add artworks and visual improvements to enhance the routes.
“Artworks send out a message that cyclists and walkers are valued and we are delighted to welcome applications for the second round of ArtRoots funding.”
Applying for fundingConstituted community groups based in Scotland who would like to make improvements to the artworks along their local NCN route are being asked to fill in an online expression of interest form. The closing date is Friday the 11th August 2017 at 5.00pm.
For a full explanation of the ArtRoots funding please take a look at our Fund guidance note.If you have any questions about the fund, please get in touch with Cosmo Blake by emailing cosmo.blake@sustrans.org.uk.
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New study shows investing in urban cycling increases cycle trips.
A new study shows trips by bike have increased in 18 cities and towns in England following a programme to encourage cycling for shorter urban journeys.
The study measured the impact of two government funded programmes of investment in cycling. It showed trips by bike increased across both programmes overall and also in each town and city by different amounts.
The Cycling City and Towns programme ran in 12 towns and cities from 2008-2011. Automatic count data shows cycling trips increased by 24% over three years and on average by 8% per year.
The largest increases were in Stoke-on-Trent (62%) and Greater Bristol (40%), with further growth achieved even in areas with already very high levels of cycling such as York (6%) and Cambridge (9%).
The Cycling Demonstration Towns follow-on programme in six towns received investment in 2005-2008 and again in 2008-2011. Cycling trips increased by 29% over five years and by 5% per annum. Darlington (59%) and Exeter (45%) showed particularly high rates of growth.
The overall annual expenditure per head of population was £14 for just under three years in 12 towns and cities, and £17 for five-and-a-half years in the six remaining areas. The towns and cities tailored the content of their investment programmes according to their respective needs.
While some towns and cities concentrated more heavily on building new routes and networks, others had a package of promotion and engagement alongside route development.
The study was commissioned by the Department for Transport and it was conducted by Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, in partnership with Transport for Quality of Life, Cavill Associates and University of the West of England.
Dr Andy Cope, Director of Insight, Research and Monitoring Unit at Sustrans, said:
“The evidence of the study is clear – increasing levels of cycling in our towns and cities is very much possible.
“The growth in cycle trips in the participating towns and cities reflects the fact that investment comparable to that spent in Denmark and the Netherlands stimulates changes in levels of cycling. The study also indicates sustained long-term commitment to investment in cycling is key to growing cycle use.
“We can confidently say the results of the programmes are replicable in towns and cities across the UK. If we want to build on this success, we need strong leadership and long-term commitment from both national and local governments.”
Lynn Sloman, a Board Member of Transport for London and a former Board Member of Cycling England, said:
“Both programmes enabled a whole new way of thinking about cycling investment to develop – we realised that it was essential to tackle all of multiple reasons why people did not cycle.
“If we really want to achieve ‘lift off’ for cycling, we need a sustained investment programme targeting the same places over at least one decade, and ideally two.
“It’s about time that Transport Ministers stepped up their ambition for high quality, long-term, proactively-led cycling investment programmes that made best possible use of public money. Then we might really start to look like a cycling country.”
The study has not identified a clear pattern of the factors which contributed to the results.
Factors that differed between the cities and towns included the nature and extent of delivery (including the capital and revenue split), target groups, the profile and extent of support for the initiatives introduced, changes in political support at different stages of the programme, baseline levels of cycling and of car dependence.
See the full study and city reportsFor more information, images and interviews please contact:
Anna Galandzij, Senior Press Officer at Sustrans, anna.galandzij@sustrans.org.uk, 07557 915648
Amy Jones, Press and Media Officer at Sustrans, amy.jones@sustrans.org.uk, 07768 035318
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Our UK-wide Greener Greenways project has been identified as one of five best practice European case studies that highlight planning and delivery of green and active travel infrastructure.
The ‘Green Active Travel Routes’ case studies were identified by not-for-profit design and landscape architecture practice Here and Now, on behalf of the Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT).
The Central Scotland Green Network Trust are currently promoting and publicising the case studies to communicate the value and benefits of combining green infrastructure with active travel routes.
Green active travel routes combine natural planting or water systems with paths for people on foot or by bike, creating attractive places and journeys for both people and environment.
According to the Central Scotland Green Network Trust:
“Green Active Travel Routes deliver a range of benefits. From environmental improvements including increased habitat, biodiversity and climate change resilience, to improved health and well-being for people. They can be retrofitted or newly planned, integrating green infrastructure and provision for active travel from the start.”
The five case studies, that include projects from Copenhagen, Hamburg, East Belfast and Edinburgh, provide learning and inspiration by demonstrating international best practice for the deliberate and successful integration of walking and cycling routes with green infrastructure and planting.
What is the Sustrans Greener Greenways project?The Greener Greenways project started in 2013 to improve and enhance biodiversity on traffic-free sections of the National Cycle Network across Scotland, England and Wales.
The project engages volunteers in wildlife recording and habitat management along our green corridors.
Funded by Scottish Natural Heritage in Scotland and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation in England and Wales, the project has improved habitats and biodiversity along more than 50 National Cycle Network routes across the country.
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