Cambridgeshire s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) bid

Transcription

1 From:- Please reply to: Councillor Ian Bates Box No RES1108 Shire Hall, Castle Hill, Cambridge CB3 0AP Telephone:- Cambridge (01223) Dear Sir/Madam, Cambridgeshire s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) bid Please find enclosed our Local Sustainable Transport Fund bid, titled: Getting Cambridgeshire to Work. Our bid has been prepared in partnership and we are delighted to include letters of support from our partners with the bid. Getting Cambridgeshire to Work is a holistic programme which is aimed at enhancing commuter journeys in two critically important economic corridors in Cambridgeshire. Both hard and soft measures will be implemented in these corridors under three programme themes: Improving links to transport interchanges and corridors; Improving links to employment areas; and Targeted marketing and information. These measures will improve journey time reliability, make sustainable, healthier and lower carbon travel more attractive and engender travel behaviour change, which will reduce congestion and deliver improved connectivity between key growth and employment sites in the corridors. This includes enhanced linkage for around 70% of commuters to Cambridge and key employment sites in South Cambridgeshire, including the bus and rail stations in Cambridge, the Busway and ultimately linking to the new town at Northstowe, and Alconbury Enterprise Zone and to the new Cambridge Science Park Station at Chesterton, due to be completed in This programme will support us in creating the right conditions for driving economic growth in Cambridgeshire, and will result in an estimated 36 million worth of value for money benefits, and with a BCR of 7.2:1 for the DfT funded component of the bid, represents excellent value for money. It should also deliver around 26,000 tonnes of CO2 savings. Getting Cambridgeshire to Work is a key programme and should help to ensure we can maximise potential of the two corridors for growing and attracting business, ensuring that Cambridgeshire continues to make a significant contribution to UK PLC. Yours sincerely, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning

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3 Local Sustainable Transport Fund - Application Form Applicant Information Local transport authority name: Cambridgeshire County Council Senior Responsible Owner Graham Hughes, Service Director, Strategy and name and position: Development Bid Manager name and Jeremy Smith, Acting Head of Transport Policy position: and Strategy Contact telephone number: address: jeremy.smith@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Postal address: Box CC1214, Castle Court, Shire Hall, Castle Street, Cambridge, CB3 0AP Website address for published bid: SECTION A - Project description and funding profile A1. Project name: Getting Cambridgeshire to Work; improving connectivity in key economic corridors in Cambridgeshire. A2. Headline description: Getting Cambridgeshire to Work will target commuter journeys in two critically important economic corridors in Cambridgeshire. Measures implemented under three programme themes (improving links to transport interchanges and corridors, improving links to employment areas and targeted marketing and information) will improve journey time reliability, make healthier and lower carbon travel more attractive and engender travel behaviour change, reduce congestion and deliver improved connectivity between key growth and employment sites in the corridors (Alconbury Enterprise Zone, Northstowe, Ely, Cambridge Science Park and Business Park). Delivering Getting Cambridgeshire to Work will help ensure enhanced conditions for driving economic growth and will improve co-ordination between planned interventions and fill critical gaps, maximising impact of local action by both the public and private sector. A3. Geographical area: The bid area covers two key economic corridors in Cambridgeshire: Corridor 1 links the hubs of Alconbury (Enterprise Zone), Huntingdon, St Ives, Northstowe (planned new town), Chesterton and Cambridge (as well as a number of smaller settlements which are within easy reach of these hubs or of the corridor itself). Along Corridor 1, the A14 is the key road link (and is also part of the strategic road network) and the main public transport link is the guided bus route, known as the Busway. A surfaced pedestrian/cycle route i runs alongside the entire 21.5km length of the guided section of the Busway and is already well used by pedestrians and cyclists. As well as linking to both the bus and rail stations in Cambridge, the Busway (and adjacent pedestrian/cycle route) will ultimately link to the new town at Northstowe and to the new Cambridge Science Park Station at Chesterton, which is due to be completed in Corridor 2 links the hubs of Ely, Waterbeach, Chesterton and Cambridge (as well as a number of smaller settlements which are within easy reach of these hubs). Along Corridor 2, the A10 is the main road route and the main public transport link is the train line between Ely and Cambridge, along which the new Cambridge Science Park Station will be located. The map on the following page shows the two corridors in more detail. 1

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5 A4. Type of bid (please tick relevant box): Small project bids Tranche 2 bid A5. Total package cost ( m): 9.2m A6. Total DfT funding contribution sought ( m): 5m A7. Spend profile: K Total Revenue funding sought Capital funding sought Local contribution Total A8. Local contribution Local contributions to the Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) LSTF bid are set out below: Organisation Contribution Details Cambridgeshire County 275,000 Funding to be used for range of measures for example Council (LTP) Cambridge City Council 80,000 minor walking and cycling improvements, upgrading cycle routes, improving walking and cycling links to the Huntingdonshire District 90,000 Busway between Huntingdon and St Ives, and marketing, events, publications and engagement. Council European Funding (Interreg) 155,000 Travel for Work Partnership Steering Group 45,000 Funding contributed by steering group partners towards the running of the Travel for Work Partnership who will play a key role in delivering the workplace travel Section 106 and other developer funding planning element of the bid. 3,350,000 Funding to be used for range of measures, including cycle parking at Cambridge Railway Station, an improved bus link to Ely Railway Station and upgrades to cycle routes. Local businesses 105,500 This is the match-funding expected through the Take a Stand, Park That Bike and Business Grant measures. Evalu8 50,000 Funding to be used to provide Electric Vehicle charging points at transport interchanges and employment sites. Sustrans 55,000 Funding to be used for cycle route upgrades. Greater Anglia Ltd c. 500,000* Funding to be used for Ely Station Interchange upgrades. East Cambridgeshire District Council c. 50,000* Funding to be used for improvements to Ely Station area. Cambridgeshire County c. 150,000** In kind contributions (staff time) Council Sustrans c. 50,000** In kind contributions (staff time) * as the exact funding amount has not yet been confirmed, it has not been included in the table at A7 ** as this is an in kind contribution rather than an actual contribution, it has not been included in the table at A7 3

6 A9. Partnership bodies CCC has a history of strong partnership working on local, national and European transport projects (including the Cycle Town, Bike Friendly Cities and Travel Plan Plus projects) and would continue to work closely with a range of public, private and voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations in delivering this bid. In particular, the following organisations have assisted with the bid development and/or pledged their support to our bid and will work with us to deliver elements of the programme; their letters or s of support are contained in appendix 1. Organisation Sector Thematic area 1 (improving links to transport interchanges and corridors) Role/area of involvement Thematic area 2 Thematic area 3 (improving links to (targeted marketing employment sites) and information) Addenbrooke's Hospital Public Anglia Ruskin University Public British Heart Foundation VCSE Cambridge City Council Public Cambridge CTC Right to VCSE Ride Group Cambridge Cycling VCSE Campaign Cambridge University Public Cambridgeshire Private Chambers of Commerce Challenge for Change Ltd Private CycleStreets Ltd East Cambridgeshire Public District Council Evalu8 Ltd Private Federation of Small Private Businesses Greater Anglia Private Greater Cambridgeshire Public Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership Huntingdonshire District Public Council Jobcentre Plus Public Living Streets VCSE Local Access Forum (Statutory advisors to CCC) VCSE Marshall of Cambridge Ltd Private NHS Cambridgeshire Public Outspoken Private Park That Bike VCSE South Cambridgeshire Public District Council Stagecoach East Private Sustrans VCSE Wellcome Trust Private Whippet Coaches Ltd Private You Can VCSE VCSE = Voluntary, community and social enterprise sector The following partnership working examples illustrate how some of these partnerships have developed, and will continue during programme delivery. Example 1 - working with private sector partners: 4

7 CCC and the Travel for Work Partnership (TfW) established the Travel Plan Plus (TP+) project in late The TP+ approach focuses on supporting a cluster of nearby companies to implement coordinated workplace travel plans on an area-wide basis. The project is already working closely with companies located in the Cambridge Science Park, St John s Innovation Centre and Cambridge Business Park (all in Corridor 1) and is having good success (travel surveys show that drive alone commuting has decreased from 58% to 50% in 18 months). An active Steering Group of local companies and property agents helps run the project. When extending this approach to new parts of the LSTF bid area, a number of long-standing members of the Travel for Work Partnership, such as the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Granta Park and Cambourne Business Park have enthusiastically agreed to participate in an expert panel where they will share their experience of travel planning with new sites in the bid area, as evidenced in their letters of support (see appendix 1). Example 2 - working with Cambridgeshire s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector: CCC and the transport charity Sustrans have already taken a partnership approach towards physical improvements to the pedestrian/cycle route alongside the Busway, with Sustrans contributing towards the cost of surfacing the route between Swavesey and St Ives. As part of the LSTF bid we will continue to work in partnership with Sustrans, for example through jointly funding Bike It officers to work in schools along the corridors (this will help target peak time home-school travel as well as the commuter journeys of schools staff). SECTION B The local challenge B1. The local context Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire has a diverse and relatively resilient economy with internationally significant strengths in a number of sectors, including research and development, higher education, software consultancy, pharmaceuticals and creative industries. The importance and relative strength of the Greater Cambridge economy, and its contribution to the national economy, is widely recognised and in the Cities Outlook 2010 ii, Cambridge was highlighted as one of the most likely places to lead Britain back to growth. Jobs growth of 22% is expected by 2028 iii three times the average UK growth rate. As jobs are concentrated in Cambridge City (which has a jobs density of 1.11 iv jobs per working age resident) and South Cambridgeshire (0.9 v jobs per working age resident) high proportions of commuters from across the county travel to/from these places during the morning and evening peak, causing congestion. This congestion raises costs for Cambridgeshire businesses and commuters, as well as for strategic traffic (for example on the A14) and impacts on productivity, as well as increasing emissions of CO2 (per capita carbon emissions in Cambridgeshire are already higher than the national average - 9 tonnes per capita compared to 7.4 vi ) and other pollutants. Growth based on existing travel patterns would mean more congestion and a worsening of its economic and environmental consequences. In line with expected jobs growth, the Cambridgeshire population is projected to grow by 28% by 2026 vii, almost twice the UK average growth rate. House prices in Cambridgeshire are way already above the national average viii and in Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire lower quartile house prices are around times income levels ix. In order to find affordable housing Cambridgeshire workers are 5

8 therefore living further away from their work and increasing their commuting distance. However, with 83.9% of Cambridgeshire s workers both living and working in the county x we are exceptionally well placed to influence both where they choose to live (through the development strategy) and how they choose to travel for their commuting trips. Cambridgeshire s LSTF bid area CCC s Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme specifically focuses on commuters making peak time journeys within two key economic corridors in Cambridgeshire; thereby targeting around 70% xi of commuters to Cambridge and key employment sites in South Cambridgeshire, as well those making shorter, more local commutes within the corridors. Corridor 1: Alconbury/Huntingdon/St Ives/Northstowe/Chesterton/Cambridge Corridor 1 is a critically important economic corridor for Cambridgeshire, linking major existing sites for employment (eg Cambridge city centre, Cambridge Science Park, Cambridge Business Park) and education and skills (eg the Universities/Regional Colleges). High levels of housing and jobs growth are projected on this corridor, particularly at the Alconbury Enterprise Zone and Northstowe new town. Alconbury was designated as an Enterprise Zone in 2010, and will be the location for c.1500 jobs by 2015 xii - rising to 8,000 over 25 years - plus c.5000 dwellings, whilst at Northstowe there are plans for 9,500 houses in total. Planning applications for both Alconbury and Northstowe are expected in early 2012, with development expected to commence in 2013/14. Travel demand is therefore likely to increase in both directions on this corridor. The main road link in the corridor is the heavily congested and nationally important A14 Trunk Road. However the Busway (and adjacent cycle/walking route) does now offer a high quality, sustainable transport option for many journeys in the corridor. The hubs of Alconbury, Huntingdon, St Ives, Northstowe, Chesterton and Cambridge and many smaller settlements in the corridor are within walking or cycling distance of the Busway. Corridor 2: Ely/Waterbeach/Chesterton/Cambridge Corridor 2 also links major employment clusters with existing and planned growth sites at Ely, which is expected to experience higher growth than in any other part of Cambridgeshire (a total population growth of 79% xiii between 1991 and 2031). There may also be significant housing growth at Waterbeach (the Ministry of Defence is to vacate this site by 2015). As jobs growth in Ely is unlikely to keep pace with population growth, increased levels of commuting to the Chesterton and Cambridge areas of the corridor are expected. Again, the main road route on this corridor (the A10) is congested, but the railway linking the hubs of Ely, Waterbeach and Cambridge provides a fast and sustainable alternative for trips to central Cambridge. The new Cambridge Science Park Station at Chesterton in north Cambridge will markedly improve access to the Cambridge Science Park and surrounding Business Parks and Innovation Centres, and will be open by Once it is open, service frequencies between Ely and Cambridge are likely to increase which will increase public transport capacity in Corridor 2. A number of smaller settlements in the corridor are within walking or cycling distance of Ely, Waterbeach or Cambridge Science Park stations. The park and ride site at Milton also provides public transport access into Cambridge, as do a number of bus services from Ely. In both corridors sustainable transport interventions have a vital role to play in supporting these high levels of growth and cutting carbon. 6

9 B2. Evidence Transport issues Congestion is a major issue in the corridors, with the main road routes (the A14 in Corridor 1 and the A10 in Corridor 2) suffering the highest levels. Traffic flows on the A14 are exceptionally high, between Spittals Interchange (Junction 23) and Bar Hill (Junction 29) it carries around 75,000 vehicles per day (on a dual two-lane allpurpose carriageway) whilst between Bar Hill and Girton it carries 99,000 vehicles per day (on a dual three-lane all-purpose carriageway). In each case the flow is amongst the highest in the UK for these types of roads xiv. Traffic flows on the A10 are also relatively high; currently over 21,500 vehicles per day xv use the A10 at Milton (wide single all-purpose carriageway) and the A10 saw traffic growth of c.11% xvi between 2003 and Congestion is worse in peak periods, leading to excess journey times and uncertainty over journey time reliability. For example the average journey time on the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton is up to 50% longer in the peak period compared to under free flow conditions xvii. Congestion on the A14 is so severe that the need for capacity and performance improvements on this road has recently been recognised in the Government s National Infrastructure Plan xviii. On the A10, vehicle speed maps (see appendix 2) clearly show that congestion leads to much longer journey times in peak periods compared to off-peak. Congestion on both the A14 and A10 has severe impacts on local routes into Cambridge, such as Histon Road and Huntingdon Road. Congestion is exacerbated by the lengthier travel to work distance covered by Cambridgeshire commuters, which is on average 2.8km longer than the England average (16.15km compared to 13.31km xix ). These distances are already increasing data from the Cambridgeshire Travel for Work Partnership s core group of five employers shows that average travel to work distance for the group in 2004 was 15.93km and that this had risen by c.8% to 17.25km in 2011 and are likely to increase further as the county s population grows while house prices remain above average. A further issue is the high levels of car reliance across the bid area for both work and other journeys. 65% xx of Cambridgeshire residents travel to work by car, which is greater than the England average (61%) and this proportion is even higher in some parts of the corridors (70.9% in Huntingdonshire, 67.5% in South Cambridgeshire and 72.8% in East Cambridgeshire). Traffic monitoring in hubs in both corridors shows that there are high levels of reliance on the car for all journey types and relatively low levels of cycling and walking. For example, in Huntingdon 73% of journeys are made by car, 10% on foot, 6% by bus and just 3% by bike, whilst in Ely although walking levels are high (21%), 61% of journeys are made by car, 9% by bus and just 1% by bike xxi. Consequences The economic impacts of congestion are costly. The regional TEES study xxii showed that these costs are disproportionately borne by areas such as Cambridge, which are Engines of Growth. It estimated that congestion resulted in productivity losses of up to 900 per worker per year. In addition to productivity losses, congestion in the corridors impacts on access to important centres of employment, education and skills xxiii, constraining access to labour markets for employers and hindering connectivity between these sites. Congestion also leads to negative welfare 7

10 impacts, where individuals become frustrated by the dis-benefits of travel and delay, which as well as impacting on individual quality of life can constrain labour markets in the longer term. There are also environmental consequences, both in terms of carbon emissions and local air quality. Carbon emissions from road transport in Cambridgeshire are already relatively high at 3 tonnes per capita xxiv compared to the national average of 2 tonnes per capita. In % of Cambridgeshire s carbon emissions were from transport compared to just 21% nationally xxv. Congestion exacerbates this situation; a recent study for DfT has shown that carbon emissions from A14 traffic are higher than they should due to the existing stop-start conditions xxvi. The DfT s Carbon Pathway Analysis research xxvii shows that nationally across all journey purposes, commuting accounts for 24% of transport-related CO2 emissions, but only 19% of trips; with commuting and business trips generating a greater proportion of CO2 emissions per trip than other trip purposes due to the distances, speeds, vehicle types and vehicle occupancy rates generally attributed to these types of journeys. Therefore measures to reduce car-based commuting will have a proportionally higher impact on carbon emissions. In Cambridgeshire, this reduction inco2 will be even more marked due to the longer than average commuting distances driven by the county s workers. Therefore our proposed approach of targeting commuters in our two key economic and commuting corridors to switch to more sustainable modes of travel would maximise the cost:benefit impact of LSTF funds invested in Cambridgeshire. In terms of local air quality, due to traffic levels there are already five Air Quality Management Areas in the corridors xxviii (all of which relate to exceedances in NO2 or NO2 and PM10), and future traffic growth will exacerbate poor conditions in these areas. High levels of car reliance can also lead to inactivity, which has negative consequences on health and wellbeing. Impacts of future growth As already outlined, housing and jobs growth in Cambridgeshire is projected to be above UK average levels, leading to higher housing demand and even greater commuting distances. Whilst the development strategy encourages sustainable travel and reducing the need to travel, pressures on the transport network due to growth are inevitable. Planned growth at hubs along the corridors is likely to place additional strain on the A14 and the A10, particularly if existing travel patterns are replicated. Overall traffic in the county is forecast to increase by 37% by 2025, and travel times across the Cambridge sub-region are forecast to increase by 23% by 2021 xxix, with the worst congestion being experienced in Cambridge itself and on routes including the A14 and the A10. Growth in the corridors based on existing travel patterns (ie high car mode share and long commuting distances) would lead to increased congestion, higher carbon emissions and a further degeneration of air quality. Increasing the use of sustainable travel in the LSTF target area for local and medium length journeys now, is key to minimising these negative impacts and maximising the positive economic effects of growth, simultaneously creating capacity on the county s strategic road network for longer trips and traffic from outside the county. 8

11 B3. Objectives Cambridgeshire s LTP3 has 5 specific objectives which were developed using evidence from local and national research, and through consultation with the public, stakeholders and partners. These are: 1. Managing and delivering the growth and development of sustainable communities. 2. Promoting improved skills levels and economic prosperity across the county, helping people into jobs and encouraging enterprise. 3. Meeting the challenges of climate change and enhancing the natural environment. 4. Enabling people to thrive, achieve their potential and improve quality of life. 5. Supporting and protecting vulnerable people. The contextual factors outlined in this bid were also key themes underlying the development of LTP3 and its objectives. Consequently the Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme will strongly contribute to achieving these objectives. Furthermore it will also help address the County Council s three priorities: 1. Developing our local economy for the benefit of all. 2. Helping people to live independent and healthy lives in their communities and supporting. 3. Protecting people when they need it most. The linkages between these objectives and priorities, and the Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme areas are set out in the table below. Clearly, the programme strongly supports priority 1 and objectives 1, 2 and 3, which are closely aligned with the Government s objectives of creating growth and cutting carbon xxx. 9

12 SECTION C The package bid C1. Package description Introduction The Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme comprises an integrated package of targeted infrastructure and smarter choices measures. The programme is designed to address the transport issues in the two target corridors whilst improving connectivity and travel choice for commuters and other transport users. As the issues are similar in both corridors, the measures proposed for each corridor are also similar. The measures included in the programme have been drawn from those successfully used in other CCC projects (Cycle Cambridge, Travel Plan Plus) and elsewhere. The LSTF programme covers three thematic areas: 1) Improving links to transport interchanges and corridors 2) Improving links to key employment sites 3) Targeted marketing and information More detail on each of these thematic areas is set out below. 1) Improving links to transport interchanges and corridors This theme is focused on improving walking and cycling links to transport interchanges such as railway stations and Busway stops, as well as making improvements on the two corridors (for example to wayfinding and signage) and at the interchanges themselves. It also aims to ensure connectivity along the corridors is improved in both directions and that this connectivity extends right through to the new Cambridge Science Park Station. There are currently four railway stations within the bid area, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Ely and Waterbeach. The LSTF programme will deliver interchange improvements at these stations, including enhanced signage, improved walking and cycling links and increased cycle parking. These infrastructure improvements will be supported by station travel plans and/or action plans developed in partnership with the train operating companies, identifying actions for marketing these improvements and enabling rail travellers to make best use of them. The new Cambridge Science Park Station will have excellent connections to the Busway and adjacent walking/cycle route and again will be supported by a station travel plan. The LSTF programme will enable significant improvements to be made at Ely Station, building on the recently developed Ely Interchange Study action plan and a station travel plan. Match-funding from the train operator will be used to improve the station building, specifically the ticket hall which can be congested in peak hours; whilst the LSTF funding will help to improve walking and cycling links to the station, along with increasing cycle parking. There will also be a review of the signage and information provided at Ely Station to enhance awareness of how to access the station and its environs on foot, by bike or by public transport. In addition, after a successful trial in October 2011, the potential for creating a cycle hub at Ely Station will be explored (using match-funding from the EU funded Two Seas project). This would then be run by a charity or social enterprise and include services such as repairs, cycle hire, maintenance course, cycle training and information. 10

13 Cambridge station is an important gateway to the city and the LSTF programme will focus on improving the linkages between the station, the city centre and major employment sites. Cycle parking at the station is currently over capacity at all times, and this is a barrier to travellers wishing to link cycle and train trips. To resolve this LSTF funding, along with that from nearby developments, will be used to pump prime the provision of a high quality, dedicated 3000 space cycle parking facility at Cambridge Station. In addition, walking and cycling improvements to improve access to the station are planned; this will include investigation of the Chisholm Trail a route parallel to the railway running north from the station which could eventually link to employment areas in North Cambridge. A walking audit of the route between the station and the city centre will also be undertaken to identify improvements to enhance the pedestrian environment on this route, such as improved signage and the removal of unnecessary street furniture. As part of the Busway project, a surfaced pedestrian/cycle route adjacent to the Busway was delivered xxxi and is already proving popular for both commuting and leisure use. Cycling parking provision at many Busway stops is currently at or over capacity, particularly on weekdays. Therefore additional cycle parking will be provided at stops such as Swavesey, Longstanton and Fen Drayton. In addition, wayfinding information along the Busway will be improved, to enhance awareness of the routes feeding in to the Busway from nearby villages and market towns. The LSTF programme will also enable CCC to work with Evalu8 Ltd to provide 20 electric vehicle charging points at key interchanges in the bid area (such as Ely station and the Busway Park and Ride sites), as well as at key employment sites. This will support the use of electric vehicles in the bid area as well as their integration with other modes of travel. As part of Cycle Cambridge, significant improvements to cycle routes in Cambridge and the links to the necklace of villages surrounding Cambridge were delivered. The LSTF programme will enable similar high-quality routes to be delivered within the two corridors to link with public transport interchanges and stops, for example between the Busway and nearby villages such as Rampton and Girton. In addition, two pedestrian/cycle schemes linking Huntingdon and St Ives will be delivered; upgrading the Thickets Path between Houghton and St Ives, and plugging the missing section of cycle route between Wyton and Hartford. Both of these improvements are key to linking the communities of Huntingdon and St Ives with employment destinations and the Busway. 2) Improving links to key employment sites This thematic area is focused on improving infrastructure links to key employment sites, as well as working with employers to develop travel plans. Cambridgeshire s Travel for Work Partnership (TfW) has been hosted by CCC for over 10 years and has a wealth of experience in workplace travel planning, including managing Travel Plan Plus (TP+) a successful EU pilot project for area travel plans. The workplace travel planning package of CCC s LSTF programme will draw on this experience, working intensively with individual businesses and employer clusters within the corridors to promote sustainable travel. Area travel plans and potentially travel centres will be developed at larger sites and/or larger new developments. Workplace travel planning will initially focus on employment clusters 11

14 in Huntingdon and Ely, as well as Cambridge Research Park based at Waterbeach and Compass Point Business Park in St Ives. Through TfW, workplace travel advisors will be employed to specifically focus on working with businesses in the corridors. Their role will be to provide advice and support in developing and implementing travel plans, encourage collaboration and the sharing of best practice between businesses, facilitate and support on-site travel centres, and promote measures (outlined below) tailored to specific businesses or area travel plans. Measures to support the development and implementation of workplace travel plans will include: Adult cycle training Bicycle User Groups Dr Bike xxxii Electric bike loan service Electric vehicle charging points Personal journey planning Postcode mapping of employees Promotion of carsharing Promotional activities and road shows providing targeted and specific information about travel options TfW discounts at bike shops TfW discounts on train tickets Travel challenges, such as Cycle Challenges To maximise the gains from the LSTF programme, and in line with CCC s current approach, any new commercial developments within the corridors will be expected to implement workplace travel plans and engage with the workplace travel planning element of the LSTF programme. They will also be expected to deliver high-quality links to the existing transport network which will be secured through S106. As part of workplace travel planning, a business grant scheme will provide organisations in the corridor which implement a travel plan with match-funding (up to a maximum of 3k per organisation) towards the cost of installing infrastructure measures to aid sustainable travel or alternatives to travel. Measures may include cycle parking, showers, lockers, video-conferencing facilities etc. To encourage travel plans amongst small businesses and social enterprises which are less able to provide match-funding for facilities, we will work with the social enterprise Park that Bike to install onsite cycle parking. This thematic area will also work with schools in the corridors, focusing on the school drop-off as part of the journey to work. This will be supported by the Bike It initiative and provision of school cycle parking. To complement the travel planning work, infrastructure improvements which improve walking and/or cycling links to employment sites will be delivered, enabling commuters to walk or cycle for all or part of their journey to work. These will build on the core cycle network developed as part of Cycle Cambridge and are likely to include improved routes between: 12

15 Huntingdon and Alconbury Enterprise Zone Swavesey Busway stop and Buckingway Business Park (close to Junction 28 on the A14) Bar Hill and Cambridge Waterbeach and other villages to Cambridge Research Park Ely to Lancaster Way Business Park Route to Landbeach Business Park Workplace travel plans will also be complemented by the new Cambridge Science Park Station at Chesterton, which will make sustainable travel to employers in the north of Cambridge much more attractive. At present the train is not an attractive option for those working in north Cambridge due to the inconvenience and time taken to travel there from Cambridge Station. As there are often only minor improvements required to make walking, cycling and access to public transport easier (such as dropped kerbs, pedestrian refuges, and repairs to cycle routes) this theme will administer a small fund to undertake these small scale schemes. This fund will also be used to make improvements identified by the Cycling Sorted website, which residents use to flag up issues or problems at specific points on the cycle network. 3) Targeted marketing and information This thematic area of the programme covers personalised travel planning and improvements to the availability and quality of travel information. The main target group for this theme will be commuters and it will focus on enabling the individual to make an informed choice on how they travel to work, although it is highly likely to influence other journeys too. Personalised travel planning (PTP) will be targeted at 21,000 homes in the two corridors, focusing primarily in Huntingdon and Godmanchester, St Ives and Ely. No PTP has been undertaken in these areas previously so maximum mode shift should be achievable. PTP will be developed in partnership with a specialist provider and will build on our previous experience of PTP at pilots in Orchard Park and Kings Hedges in north Cambridge, as well as coordinate with a developer funded PTP project happening in northwest Cambridge during the LSTF period. It will provide residents with personalised information on sustainable modes of travel and incentives to try them out, as well as link them to a wider programme of travel promotion and marketing activity and resources, including travel to work events, cycle challenges, cycle surgeries, cycle maps and high quality easy to read travel information. PTP will also provide a channel for directly engaging with the community and informing residents about the infrastructure measures that are being delivered in the corridors, including the new Cambridge Science Park Station. To maximise the gains from the LSTF programme, and in line with CCC s current approach, any new residential development within the corridors will be expected to implement residential travel plans and engage with the targeted marketing element of the LSTF programme. They will also be expected to deliver high-quality links to the existing transport network which will be secured through S106. The LSTF programme will enable expansion of sustainable travel promotions and events in Cambridge and for these activities to be extended within the corridors. Support for communities, schools and employers wishing to undertake their own 13

16 travel-related promotional activities or events will also be provided. We will also work with new community hubs (centres for local communities) and Jobcentre Plus to ensure that travel information and marketing materials are distributed through these outlets. We will develop a website for travel information, which will provide a wealth of information on the travel choices available for the journey to work (and other journeys). It will include bus timetables and routes, real time passenger information, community transport information, cycle information and maps, walking routes, and links to CCC s carsharing website. The website will also provide personalised journey planning by linking with Transport Direct. In addition, CCC will explore the use of social media as a marketing tool and the development of a free smart phone application to provide real-time passenger information direct to users. To improve transport information provision on the ground, we will upgrade the county s current real time passenger information (RTPI) system in the corridors and provide Variable Message Signs (VMS) on key routes. RTPI bus stop flags will be upgraded from the existing radio-based system to a more reliable GPRS system (complementing our Better Bus Area Fund bid which focuses on upgrading RTPI in other areas). VMS will be installed at locations on key routes where drivers are able to make decisions about which route they take or whether it would be beneficial for them to switch to an alternative mode of travel. For example a VMS on the A1123 in St Ives could advise drivers of congestion on the A14 and that the Busway St Ives Park and Ride has spaces available. The information on the signs will be controlled by CCC s Integrated Highway Management Centre (IHMC) and will, along with RTPI data, also be available on the travel website. In order to ensure IHMC can most efficiently analyse activity on the road network and feed real time data to users via the website and VMS, CCTV cameras will be installed at key locations on the corridors. C2. Package costs Thematic area 1 Improving links to transport interchanges and corridors Thematic area 2 Improving links to employment sites Thematic area 3 Targeted marketing and information Other Programme management k 2012/ / /15 Revenue Capital Revenue Capital Revenue Capital Revenue Capital Grand Total ( Programme management includes the costs of managing the delivery of the capital elements of the bid in thematic areas 1 and 2.) 14

17 C3. Rationale and strategic fit The Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme has been specifically tailored to focus on peak-time commuter journeys in two economic corridors in Cambridgeshire, which are facing the twin challenges of high levels of congestion on existing road links and high levels of expected growth. The programme complements the policies and proposals of Cambridgeshire s LTP3 and CCC s overarching priorities, as evidenced in section B3. The Getting Cambridgeshire to Work programme is also complementary to other work being undertaken by CCC in conjunction with partners, including our Better Bus Area Fund bid, work to develop superfast broadband and community hubs (centres which could potentially be used for remote working in future) in Cambridgeshire, work on A14 improvements announced as part of the Growth Review, and the A14 Challenge xxxiii. It also has good strategic fit with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Structure Plan (2003) (which has largely informed the current City and District Council s Local Plans which are being implemented) and Cambridgeshire s Sustainable Community Strategy ( Cambridgeshire s Vision ). LSTF funding will allow a whole journey approach to be taken, which will have a positive impact on journeys in both directions on each corridor. Such a comprehensive approach would not be possible using only existing funding sources such as LTP3 and developer funding. CCC will work to leverage the maximum, most high impact contributions from developers as the foundations of the LSTF programme, with the DfT funded element building on this and linking all the elements together. Implementing Getting Cambridgeshire to Work now is particularly timely as both corridors will be the focus of significant housing and/or jobs growth in the medium term, so there is strong potential to encourage more sustainable travel patterns by new residents and commuters. These tables demonstrate the strategic fit of each of the programme themes with the key transport issues identified in the bid area: Issue/Opportunity LSTF Programme Thematic Area Improving links Improving links Targeted to transport to employment marketing interchanges sites and and corridors information Notes: Corridor 1 Congestion on the A14 Long commuting distances High car mode share for commuter journeys (peak) High car mode share for other journeys Opportunity to increase mode share of the Busway, cycling and walking = strong potential to tackle issue/maximise opportunity = very strong potential to tackle issue/maximise opportunity Through improving and promoting alternatives to travel 15

18 Issue/Opportunity LSTF Programme Thematic Area Improving links Improving links Targeted to transport to employment marketing interchanges sites and and corridors information Notes: Corridor 2 Congestion on the A10 Long commuting distances High car mode share for commuter journeys (peak) High car mode share for other journeys Opportunity to increase mode share of train, cycling and walking = strong potential to tackle issue/maximise opportunity = very strong potential to tackle issue/maximise opportunity Through improving and promoting alternatives to travel Although the programme targets a specific geographical area, it will also result in benefits beyond this area, for example improvements in travel information which form part of the Getting Cambridgeshire to Work programme will be accessible to all users and not restricted to those in the LSTF area. No adverse effects on groups or areas within or outside the bid area have been identified. C4. Community support In developing Cambridgeshire s LTP3, public and stakeholder consultation was undertaken so as to identify key challenges and objectives for transport in Cambridgeshire. In order to reflect the views of local residents and stakeholders, the Getting Cambridgeshire to Work LSTF programme has been developed with the same LTP3 challenges and objectives in mind (see section B3 for the LTP objectives). CCC has also previously engaged directly with communities in both corridors through public consultation to develop Market Town Transport Strategies for key settlements in the corridors (for example, in Ely, Huntingdon and Godmanchester and St Ives). If successful, LSTF funding will allow more of these community-supported schemes to be implemented (or allow schemes to be put in place more quickly). During the development of this LSTF bid we have engaged with a cross-section of private, public and community sector stakeholders, through both an options generation workshop and one-to-one discussions. Many of these stakeholders are so supportive of the proposals herein that they have agreed to be named partners in our bid (see A9) and work with us on delivering the programme should this application be successful. Their letters of support for this bid (see appendix 1) are indicative of the level of enthusiasm in Cambridgeshire for the programme and its potential impact. 16

19 SECTION D Value for money D1. Outcomes and value for money The assessment of value for money and outcomes is based on our LSTF programme, as outlined in Section C1 Package Description, which would be funded by contributions requested from the DfT ( 5m), as well as the local contributions ( 4.2m) identified in Section A7. In determining the additional outcomes and value for money of our proposed LSTF programme (i.e. above and beyond our LTP3 programme), a calculation of the expected vehicles kilometres and carbon dioxide emissions reductions was made, based on the results of the Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns. This allowed us to estimate the value for money of our LSTF programme, using Department for Transport Webtag valuations xxxiv. Core Outcomes 2012/ / /15 Total Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reductions (Tonnes) xxxv 4,410 9,803 11,866 26,079 Traffic Reduction (Vehicle Kilometres) 21,242,878 47,219,965 57,158, ,621,114 Value for Money Benefits xxxvi 2012/ / /15 Total Congestion 4,925,220 11,361,160 14,272,643 30,559,024 Infrastructure 17,604 39,131 47, ,101 Accidents 684,842 1,522,309 1,842,707 4,049,858 Local Air Quality 126, , , , Noise 42,912 95, , , Greenhouse Gases 84, , , , GRAND TOTAL 5,882,310 13,488,638 16,847,887 36,218,834 Benefit to Cost Ratio (DfT Contribution) 7.2 Benefit to Cost Ratio (DfT + Local Contributions) 4.0 Non-quantifiable outcomes and benefits are likely to include: Significant economic benefits resulting from ensuring that planned growth can occur and Cambridgeshire remains a key contributor to the UK economy and an attractive place for businesses and their employees to locate. Economic and environmental benefits from ensuring sustainable transport plays an important role in growth, making it sustainable and low-carbon. Improved access to key services by public transport, walking and cycling. Health and wellbeing benefits including reduced adult obesity and increased physical activity, particularly at workplaces undertaking travel planning activity and in areas where PTP is undertaken; reduced child obesity at schools where modal shift away from the car is achieved; and a possible increase in life expectancy from reductions in obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes as a result of increased physical activity, particularly in areas where PTP is undertaken. 17

20 Tourism and leisure benefits, as transport measures aimed at commuter journeys will also improve access to the countryside and leisure opportunities in the bid area, which could also have health benefits (eg more people walking/cycling for recreational purposes) and economic benefits (eg tourists visiting places which have become more accessible). CCC has a strong track record in delivering results through transport projects, for example, our Cycle Cambridge project delivered an increase in cycling trips of 12% in 3 years xxxvii, whilst work by the Travel for Work Partnership has delivered an overall reduction in single occupancy car use for journeys to work at participating xxxviii workplaces of around 8% since D2. Financial sustainability In terms of the financial sustainability of each of the three thematic areas, post March 2015 we would expect the following: 1) Improving links to transport interchanges and corridors Any capital/physical measures in this thematic area of the LSTF programme will have been delivered by 2015 and in order to maximise the benefits from these measures they will be marketed through the workplace travel planning and targeted marketing and information elements of the Getting Cambridgeshire to Work programme. Any ongoing maintenance/revenue costs will be covered by LTP3 budgets. In addition, other, complementary schemes which improve links to transport interchanges and corridors will continue to be developed and implemented using funding from developers and CCC s LTP. 2) Improving links to employment sites By 2015, any physical infrastructure links which form part of the LSTF programme will have been delivered and intensive work with employers in the bid area to establish workplace travel plans will have been undertaken. During the programme period, funding will allow scaling up of intensive support for employers within both corridors, and at the end of the LSTF period this will be scaled back down, although employers will still be able to contact the existing TfW team for some support if required. However, experience with the Travel Plan Plus project has found employers willing to provide financial support towards the project to enable it to continue and TfW and CCC will work closely with employers to set up similar arrangements if there is sufficient interest. Post March 2015, through the planning process CCC will continue to be proactive in ensuring developers produce workplace and residential travel plans for new developments and contribute towards infrastructure improvements. 3) Targeted marketing & information The personalised travel planning programme is designed in such a way that all targeted households will have been visited prior to the end of March The new travel website and phone app should go live during 2012/13 and any costs associated with hosting/maintaining these will be covered by LTP3 budgets. The scaling up of events and promotion enabled by LSTF funding will be scaled back to current levels at the end of the LSTF period. Post March 2015, CCC will continue to work with developers and may require them to undertake personalised travel planning as part of planning conditions (where appropriate) in order to continue the benefits of this thematic area beyond the LSTF period. 18