SMA has produced an Exemplar Travel Plan for a new development of 1,320 dwellings in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. SMA is a member of the Southern Leighton Buzzard Steering Group and one of our Directors is retained as Travel Plan Coordinator. The partnership includes SMA, Central Bedfordshire Council, Arnold White Estates Limited, Arriva the Shires, Leighton Linslade Town Council and South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth.
The Exemplar Travel Plan compliments and supports the developer’s separate commitments with regard to legal requirements identified within the Section 106 agreement to improve and enhance the existing local transport network, whilst also promoting sustainable transport modes, encouraging modal shift and healthier living.
The project includes improvements to town centre bus stops and interchanges; real time information at bus stops; introduction of a new bus service; new community website; car share database; provision to all dwellings of information packs, cycle vouchers, discount vouchers for bus travel; secure cycle parking, real time passenger information in dwellings.
Since the project launched the Dash Direct bus service (launched as part of the scheme and managed by Arnold White Estates) has been praised for its high quality, high frequency service and in helping to significantly reduce the number of car journeys to/from the site.
In November 2011, the Dash Direct service was awarded runner up and ‘highly commended’ in the category Putting Passengers First at the 2011 UK Bus Awards. The judges thought that this project represented a genuine advance for customers and that the partners had thought the project through properly. They particularly praised the availability of real-time information in the home.
In June 2012, the scheme was also commended at the CIHT Annual Awards under the ‘Effective Partnerships’ category.
For more information about the schemes successes and how these might be can be applied to other sites please contact one of our Directors, Martin Ohrland (mro@stuartmichael.co.uk).
If you would like to discuss any potential sites with us, please call us on 01635 867 711. Alternatively you can complete the quick enquiry form and one of our team will be in touch with you.
Our experienced and qualified staff bring commercial awareness and a proactive approach to all commissions, which range from small scale sites to large urban extensions, strategic development and multi-million pound projects.
Whether you require an initial high-level appraisal, completion of technical reports to accompany a Planning Application or detailed design post consent, SMA have the capabilities to do it all.
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