Smart Network, Smarter Choices Update

Transcription

1 Smart Network, Smarter Choices Update Issue 4, February 2014 Overview Smart Network, Smarter Choices is a multi-million pound programme designed to help tackle congestion, reduce carbon emissions and kick start the regional economy. The project started in 2012 and involves implementing a wide range of sustainable travel (cycling, walking and public transport) schemes along ten key corridors in the West Midlands not only to benefit congestion, carbon emissions and the economy, but also to change mindsets and provide a more comprehensive approach to movement across the 10 corridors. Each corridor will see a variety of measures and/or improvements to encourage people who live, work and visit the area to travel sustainably. Black Country Busy Walsall routes given 500,000 boost More than 500,000 has been spent on improving traffic flow along some of Walsall s busiest roads as part of a carbon busting project. Transport authority Centro teamed up with Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to identify key congested routes in the borough. This includes the No 4 bus route which connects Walsall to the shopping and employment centres of West Bromwich, Blackheath and Brierley Hill. Other changes were also made along well used roads linking Walsall to Darlaston and Wednesbury. Pedestrians are benefitting from upgraded crossing facilities. Over the last 12 months a package of measures has been introduced along the routes to speed up journey times, improve bus reliability and cut congestion. Changes made include: Improvements to traffic junctions Changes to pedestrian crossings to improve walking access to local facilities Installing intelligent traffic signals The work also includes upgrading four pedestrian crossings to puffins to help improve safety for those travelling on foot and to cut down on traffic delay for buses and motorists. Traffic lights at the crossings have been fitted with energy efficient LED lights which last longer and reduce the need for engineers to visit the sites to replace traditional bulbs. 1.

2 Programme Update In Dudley, work on improving the pedestrian and cycling links along corridor 4 began in August and is ongoing. Initial work has progressed on installing bus priority measures along the A4123 A459 and is due to be completed in February In Sandwell, nine junction improvements have been made replacing signalling equipment with LEDs and the introduction of bus priority measures along corridor 4. Five pelican crossings have also been upgraded to puffin crossings along the same route. In Walsall, upgrades to pedestrian facilities and the installation of LED technology has been completed at four locations along corridor 4. The installation of a safer travel zone around Hilary School has been approved, including a new pedestrian crossing and consultation was carried out in January. In Wolverhampton, six junction improvements have been completed along the A41 including upgrading signalling equipment to LED technology, installing traffic signal controllers and the implementation of bus priority measures. Work is underway on three key cycle routes, one making use of the disused railway line linking Priestfield Metro Station to the city centre and two along the A41 highway linking Wolverhampton with Bilston. Birmingham and Solihull Thousands take advantage of green scheme Thousands of families living along two busy routes in Birmingham and Solihull have taken advantage of expert travel advice to help them make the switch to sustainable forms of transport. Travel adviser, Ryan Dudfield; Senior travel adviser, Anthony Copson; Centro vice chair, Cllr Kath Hartley and Centro s sustainable travel officer Caroline Ind Households along the A41 Warwick Road and the A45 Coventry Road were visited by travel advisers and more than 6,000 chose to sit down with experts and have bespoke travel plans drawn up. Information on public transport, car-sharing, walking and cycling was provided to help make residents aware of the travel options available for their regular journeys. Around 600 households were asked for feedback on the PTP process and how it had influenced the way they travelled. Of those interviewed 26 per cent said they had already increased the amount they walk or intended to do so in the future. A further 22 per cent had increased their use of bus or intended to do so in the future as a result of the process. Residents who took part in the project have been issued with packs containing, maps, community guides, public transport timetables and a pedometer to help support changes in travel behaviour. 2.

3 Programme Update Key cycle route work along the A38 Bristol Road Corridor are progressing. Section 3 connecting Northfield to Great Park and work on the Ring Road to Selly Oak under Section 1 have been completed. Options are currently being reviewed including funding strategy to take forward Section 2 linking Selly Oak to Northfield. Consultation on the Solihull Gateway project is underway and has been extended until the 24 February The project will make visiting Solihull town centre more accessible and convenient, and will improve the public realm in the area. Construction work is completed on Phase 1, 2 and 4 of the North Solihull Strategic Cycle Network. Works on sections 3 and 5 are progressing well with expected completion in Feb/March Coventry Dozens attend indoor cycle training sessions More than 50 would-be cyclists feeling the cold-snap have taken advantage of free indoor training sessions. Coventry City Council and Centro funded the classes at Woodlands Academy in Broad Lane and the city s famous Ricoh Arena. Nefe Onokpe, Councillor Maya Ali, Councillor Rachel Lancaster with her daughter Meredith, Runo Onokpe, Rachel Watkinson, Claire Hall (Instructor), Tim Whiteside (Instructor) and Iziegbe Isibor, Owin Onokpe Over 2,500 people have taken part in cycling activities across the West Midlands including training and maintenance courses. Free training for beginners had already been available at other venues in Coventry through the Smart Network, Smarter Choices programme, but this was the first time that instruction has taken place in an indoor setting. Sessions were run by expert trainers from BikeRight! and were made available for both adults and children wanting to learn to cycle. The classes were held in January 2014 in Woodlands Academy and the Ricoh Arena. Councillor Lancaster, Coventry City Council s cabinet member for public services, said: Many people think about getting fitter at this time of year and cycling is a fun and free way for families to get active. If you haven t ridden a bike in years or have never learnt, then you can take advantage of free cycle training courses and even borrow a bike if you need one. The indoor venue also means that the weather can t dampen your spirits and you can learn to ride in time for the better weather. 3.

4 The training forms part of the Cycle Coventry project which aims to get more people in the saddle by creating seven new cycling routes across the city and providing free support and training. For more information visit: mynetwork.org.uk/walkingcycling Programme Update Phase 2 of the Sowe Valley footpath has been completed. Designs have been drawn up for the link from Sowe Valley across Ansty Road to the Hospital and are due to be signed off by mid February Planning has been approved for route 2 Canal path and work is scheduled to begin in February. More than 350 people have taken part in free cycle training and maintenance classes being run in Coventry since the start of the programme. Following the success of indoor cycle training, more indoor sessions are due to be booked at venues in Coventry. Smarter Choices Dudley school is on the right path Pupils at a Dudley school have become the first in the region to benefit from a project making it easier for young people to travel to school or college. The High Arcal School in Sedgley has been handed a 5,000 boost from Centro to install a footpath which directly connects the school with local residential areas. The new path links the main entrance on High Arcal Drive with roads to the south of the school, meaning students in this area now have a direct walking route without having to loop around the building. Pupils unveiled the pathway and were presented with an award recognising their commitment to greener ways of travelling at a special eco day held this week. The High Arcal School pupils l-r, Caitlan Cox (13), Willow Curran (13) and Amy Davies (13). Cllr Judith Rowley, Centro s lead member for fair, accessible and sustainable transport, said: Many children rely on walking as their main method of travelling to and from school, so adding this pathway makes the school a lot more accessible for those who make their journeys on foot. The pathway will also allow students and teachers to easily access a nearby nature reserve which is used for geography and science field trips. As part of the project High Arcal also had bespoke travel plans drawn up by expert travel advisers to help advise staff and pupils on the best ways to make their journeys without the car. 4.

5 Thirty-seven final education travel plans have been issued and a total of 52 schools and colleges have been engaged. There have been 17 education travel plan grant applications received. The path is another step for the school which already holds the internationally recognised eco-schools status which is awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to green travel. During the eco day, pupils took part in a nature walk and were visited by cycling experts to help show tips on cycling to school and maintaining a bike. West Midlands businesses showcase vacancies at WorkWise events Some of the West Midlands biggest employers took part in three special events to help the region s unemployed find their way back into work. Centro, in partnership with Free Radio and Jobcentre Plus, hosted three free Jobs and Training Shows which were attended by recruitment teams from businesses including Ikea, the NHS and the Army. The events were held on: WorkWise team leader Lateef Huthman and sustainable travel officer Shanara Begum tell job seekers about WorkWise. More than 4,500 unemployed people have been helped back into work by WorkWise. The project is due to expand in April 2014 to cover the whole of the West Midlands. Thursday October 24 at Birmingham s Rep Theatre Friday October 25 at West Bromwich Town Hall Thursday January 30 at Villa Park s Holte Suite Immediate vacancies were available each day while experts were on hand to provide advice on starting a business and self-employment. Officials from Birmingham Metropolitan College provided apprenticeship information at the Rep Theatre event. Centro staff also advised jobseekers how to take advantage of its award winning WorkWise scheme which provides free travel passes for unemployed people travelling to interviews or starting new jobs. Free day tickets are available for unemployed people travelling to interviews and up to eight weeks of travel can be provided for those starting a new job. People preferring to travel on two wheels can take advantage of free WorkWise cycle support which provides a recycled bicycle, safety gear and cycle training for new starters. 5.

6 Technology Showcase Solar panels have been installed at a Black Country bus stop to power passenger updates and information in a trial believed to be a world first. Centro is testing the scheme which has seen two sunlight sensitive panels fitted to the roof of the bus stop in Bromford Road, Oldbury. The green energy will be used to power three electronic paper screens, similar to those found in devices like Kindles, which will provide timetable and real time information on bus services. The solar panels will power passenger information at this Black Country bus stop. The screens are designed to limit glare from sunlight and can be read from wider angles to make it easier for passengers to read even in bright conditions. An additional low powered, low temperature LCD screen has also been fitted at the site near Sandwell and Dudley railway station. Solar energy is the latest test carried out by Centro as it looks for energy efficient ways to provide information for passengers in the future. The 23,000 scheme is a key part of Centro s Smart Network, Smarter Choices technology showcase, which aims to explore new uses of technology within public transport. Cllr Judith Rowley, Centro s lead member for fair, accessible and sustainable transport, said: Using solar power can make a major difference in allowing us to provide digital information at bus stops where it has proved difficult to connect with conventional means. The fact that this represents another world first really demonstrates Centro s commitment to being at the forefront of both passenger information and carbon reduction. The panels are connected with an internal device which monitors sunlight levels at the stop. The trial will initially run until May and will help form the basis of a study into how solar power could be used to help fill in energy gaps at hard to reach stops and shelters. Birmingham consultants IBI group who developed the system believe it is the first of its kind in the world. 6.

7 Other News The number of employers signed up to Smart Network, Smarter Choices has now reached 157, exceeding the original target of 138 across the region. Latest businesses to join the programme include major West Midlands employer Jaguar Land Rover. Discussions are underway examining the best ways to continue supporting sustainable travel within the West Midlands beyond the end of the programme. Funding options are being explored which can help build on the work of the Smart Network, Smarter Choices programme including the Local Sustainable Transport Fund proposals for 2015/16 and alternative streams beyond that time frame. More Information If you require any further information regarding this update or relating to any other aspect of the Smart Network, Smarter Choices programme, please contact: Richard Lawrence, Programme Executive

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