Transforming local travel. The benefits of enabling people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys

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1 Transforming local travel The benefits of enabling people to walk and cycle for everyday journeys

2 Connecting people to places Enabling people to walk and cycle for more of their everyday journeys is good for our health, our communities, our environment and our prosperity. The majority of journeys we make are short, with over half of all car journeys, for example, being less than five miles long. The potential for enabling more people to get about on foot and bike is therefore huge, as are the benefits. On the following pages we report on the outcomes and benefits of investing in local walking and cycling networks in a variety of different settings. The programme of work we report on was focused on the delivery of 84 local networks UK-wide. It was developed and managed by Sustrans with a 50 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund. This enabled the leveraging of match funding from local authorities and other partners, bringing the overall investment to a total of 170 million. The focus of each network was on addressing community severance those everyday barriers that deter or prevent people getting about under their own steam, such as busy roads, railways and rivers. Over a five-year period a variety of solutions were put in place to overcome these barriers, creating safer, more direct routes within a mile of four million people and enabling people of all ages and abilities to cycle and walk more. There are 20 schools, 23,000 households and 53,000 people within a mile of the average scheme. In addition, integration with public transport has been enhanced, with improved access by foot and bike to 251 railway stations. Evidence shows that the programme has been very successful at changing the way people move, delivering real and tangible benefits. In addition, the programme reveals six key learnings that should inform future investment in walking and cycling networks: 1. A focus on community engagement during planning and delivery, and the involvement of community champions on steering groups, has ensured that what was delivered was useful to local people. 2. A long delivery timescale allowed an application process enabling the community and our partners to identify the problem and the solution, with the time to deliver long-desired and ambitious solutions to the most challenging barriers to walking and cycling. 3. Secured funding over a five year period enabled the leveraging of significant amounts of matchfunding from an unusually wide range of stakeholders that was sufficient to support delivery of the best possible solution rather than the easiest solution. 4. Co-ordination of partner activities across the portfolio was mutually beneficial, bringing economies of scale and a shared knowledge of the diversity of solutions and funding possibilities, whilst ensuring a consistent and high standard of design. 5. Addressing severance by overcoming barriers to walking and cycling in a community setting has enabled a more diverse range of users to benefit, with more older people, more women, more children using the routes than we have seen where we have developed more traditional linear walking and cycling routes; this in turn has nurtured a sense of community ownership and pride in place, and catalysed or sustained volunteer groups to look after and promote the routes. 6. Where we have also worked directly in the community, schools, workplaces and other daily destinations close to the schemes, we have seen more usage. For example where we have worked with schools near a new route to give children the skills they need to cycle, scoot and walk safely to school, this has contributed to higher usage, improving the return on investment. 53,000 people live within a mile of the average scheme 2 Transforming local travel

3 Creating a profound and lasting legacy 42 % increase in trips by foot 1.6 million short car trips saved in a year 781 million is the cumulative benefit over 30 years 6.3 : 1 is the benefit to cost ratio (using the Department for increase in 53 % trips by bike Transport s appraisal framework) 4.4 million people live close to a scheme

A community-led approach It has brought the community together. (Local resident, Workington) Better and safer access. Better unity as it [the new bridge] links isolated houses to town.

4 A community-led approach It has brought the community together. (Local resident, Workington) Better and safer access. Better unity as it [the new bridge] links isolated houses to town. (Local resident, Ottery St. Mary) Community involvement was at the heart of developing the networks. The intention was two-fold: to support community cohesion and to ensure that what was built really did address local problems of accessibility. Over 300 suggestions for schemes were put forward, all with enormous community support, and 84 of these were completed. Local steering groups were established to ensure projects really benefited local people. And although it was a more time and people-intensive approach, the evidence suggests that this has reaped enormous rewards in terms of creating solutions based on local knowledge, and bringing people together in their community. The approach was well received more than three quarters (76%) of the people who got involved in community engagement activities are keen to get involved in similar projects in the future. An independent evaluation of the community engagement, by ERS Consultants, concluded: Community participation has certainly promoted social action, with people having been encouraged to be more involved in their communities through giving time, money and other resources. Local residents also participated through an art initiative which accompanied the work: a portrait bench (see picture above) was installed on each of the new networks featuring life-size steel portraits of local people and icons. Selected by residents through a public vote, the portrait benches have become visitor attractions in their own right, and are much loved. In the words of the evaluators, these in particular captured the imagination of many local communities. 200,000 raised at one event by Bath residents, towards their local scheme 4 Transforming local travel

Local people, local power Championed by the local community, the opening of two railway tunnels to create The Two Tunnels Greenway has overcome several roads and linked the communities of Bath and

5 Local people, local power Championed by the local community, the opening of two railway tunnels to create The Two Tunnels Greenway has overcome several roads and linked the communities of Bath and rural North East Somerset. Members of the Two Tunnels Group formed part of the strong steering group which had significant input into planning the network, and addressing issues such as land ownership. The group was also involved in gathering extra funds for the work, and in galvanising more local action in support of the scheme. The Two Tunnels was one of the biggest of the 84 schemes. The Combe Down Tunnel is the UK s longest cycling and walking tunnel at an impressive 1,672 metres, just over one mile. Scheme partners: Bath and North East Somerset Council, Two Tunnels Group, Railway Heritage Trust, Arts Council

Better access changes the way people travel Communities are often faced with the problem of severance, with people cut off from key services, workplaces and schools, by congested roads and barriers

6 Better access changes the way people travel Communities are often faced with the problem of severance, with people cut off from key services, workplaces and schools, by congested roads and barriers such as rivers and railway lines. A quarter of all households in the UK don t have access to a car and for people who do, a huge number of very short car journeys could be replaced by walking and cycling if they felt they had a choice. 45% growth in walking by over 65s I think it s good for the disabled - it s much easier and safer. (Local resident, Bradford) By creating direct, convenient and safe bridges and crossings our work has gone a long way to giving people this choice. We ve connected existing traffic-free routes and linked people to shops, schools, workplaces and each other. These changes have greatly improved access for a diverse range of people who want to get about under their own steam. Trips by people aged over 65 and women have seen big increases, by 42% (from 2.9 million to 4.1 million) and 37% (from 11.4 million to 15.7 million) respectively. Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, who traditionally cycle less, are also undertaking more trips. These groups are now making 3.3 million trips every year an increase of 124% from 1.5 million. The routes are also enabling people to get back in the saddle 2.4 million trips by those returning to cycling, and 718,000 by people taking to a bike for the first time. Over seven million trips are by children and young people, with a 91% increase in the number of trips to school or college. Some routes developed were on existing, informal pathways, often over rough ground. Utilised previously mainly by pedestrians, these newly surfaced routes now provide a smooth surface for cyclists to travel on, with cycling trips increasing by 53%. In addition these surfaces are also more suitable for people of all ages and abilities, including parents with pushchairs, leading to walking trips increasing by 42%. A staggering 38 million trips are now being made every year on the new networks, with a 43% increase in the number of trips overall since before the work started. Around a quarter of all journeys on the networks are being made every day. The newly developed routes are often regarded as the best transport option (by 72% of respondents) for the journeys people need to make, and over half of users say the routes save them money. Walking and cycling is becoming a part of people s everyday life. This is the first time in 30 years that I can safely walk to Bassingham and back. Fantastic! Thank you! (Local resident, Carlton-le-Moorland) 6 Transforming local travel

A safe and healthy school run In Broxbourne the delivery of trafficfree routes and a bridge over the A10 give over a third of pupils those who live on the opposite side of the busy road to the nearby

7 A safe and healthy school run In Broxbourne the delivery of trafficfree routes and a bridge over the A10 give over a third of pupils those who live on the opposite side of the busy road to the nearby school a safe, direct link. Before these networks were in place, children could see their school but either had to make a big diversion to avoid the road, or cross it. And it is not just school children who benefit. The busy dual carriageway used to be a major barrier for local people walking and cycling, but now 98% of users say the route feels safe. Almost four in 10 adults use the route every day, and half of those interviewed were travelling to work or the shops. Scheme partners: Hertfordshire County Council, Broxbourne Borough Council, St Mary s High School, local residents Over Before 4,500 trips by children in Broxbourne annually, by foot, bike and scooter Over After 198,500 trips by children in Broxbourne annually, by foot, bike and scooter

8 How investment in walking and cycling leads to healthier, happier communities Roads, rivers and railways create barriers which prevent people from making everyday journeys by foot or bike and cut communities off from each other. We overcome these barriers by building bridges and crossings, giving people safe and convenient access to workplaces, schools and shops as well as each other. More convenient and safe walking and cycling routes lead to more people walking and cycling. So the use of cars decreases. People enjoy better health, and a more pleasant community with less noise and pollution as more people walk and cycle for their everyday journeys. Local businesses prosper too. This leads to more integrated, sociable communities. The 84 networks, for example, are reducing car journeys by enabling people to leave their cars behind, generating over 19 million of benefits through reduced congestion, over 30 years. Compelling and robust evidence of the benefits of walking and cycling leads to more investment in better walking and cycling routes, creating more vital links that overcome even more barriers, so even more people can get about by foot and bike. 986 million Illustration by Tom Redfern: 8 Transforming local travel

Paving the way to health Enabling people to be active every day is a key public health ambition, with less than half of adults in the UK currently meeting the guidelines for daily physical activity,

74% of route users say the route has helped them to increase the amount of physical activity they regularly take, and over 47% report that they are doing the recommended 30 minutes on at least five

10 Paving the way to health Enabling people to be active every day is a key public health ambition, with less than half of adults in the UK currently meeting the guidelines for daily physical activity, and an even smaller percentage of children reaching the guideline levels set for young people. The networks have made a real contribution to tackling this problem. 74% of route users say the route has helped them to increase the amount of physical activity they regularly take, and over 47% report that they are doing the recommended 30 minutes on at least five days a week. Even better, independent research has confirmed that these increases do not displace physical activity in other areas of people s lives the routes have actually enabled people to be more active % are doing 30 minutes exercise a day, at least five days a week Nearly More physical activity brings more potential health savings. And these savings make up much of the economic benefit of walking and cycling the networks will deliver at least 515 million of health benefits over 30 years. 515 million of health benefits over 30 years 1. Sahlqvist S, Song Y, and Ogilvie D; Is active travel associated with greater physical activity? The contribution of commuting and non-commuting active travel to total physical activity in adults; Preventive Medicine, Volume 55, Issue 3, September 2012, Pages Transforming local travel

The route to health and wellbeing The Pont y Werin bridge in Cardiff carries almost 1,300 journeys every day, giving the people of Penarth better access to Cardiff Bay.

11 The route to health and wellbeing The Pont y Werin bridge in Cardiff carries almost 1,300 journeys every day, giving the people of Penarth better access to Cardiff Bay. 85% of people say the bridge and connecting routes has helped them to increase their levels of physical activity. Convenience has driven this shift nine out of 10 route users say the route is the most convenient option for them to go straight to their destination. The health benefits of the journeys from just this one scheme equate to over 4 million a year. Scheme partners: Cardiff Council, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff Harbour Authority and Welsh Government

Supporting prosperity It will help the regeneration of the town. (Local resident, Northampton) Enabling more people to make local journeys by foot and bike brings benefits to the local economy.

12 Supporting prosperity It will help the regeneration of the town. (Local resident, Northampton) Enabling more people to make local journeys by foot and bike brings benefits to the local economy. Local businesses gain, leisure and tourism is given a boost in many places, and more jobs are created for local people. We expect the economic benefits of the networks to be long-lasting. A more physically active workforce is a more productive one. So with a 75% increase in commuting trips overall, and over eight million active, healthy trips now being made by commuters each year, the routes have improved productivity for local businesses. We looked at the benefits of an increase in visitors across 13 schemes and estimate the value of tourism to be 3 million per year, supporting over 76 full-time equivalent jobs. Local jobs have also been created and sustained by the construction, maintenance and access created. We estimate that cycling and walking investment creates or sustains 11 jobs for every 1 million invested, five times more than major road schemes we ve analysed. And with route construction and maintenance often undertaken by local contractors, the benefits are locked into local communities. Cyclists and walkers also bring prosperity to retailers overall monthly spend in retail areas by pedestrians and cyclists have a higher average monthly spend per person ( and respectively) when compared to car users ( ), and they make double the number of trips to shops. A number of the networks link residents to shopping areas, from small local high streets through to large town centre shopping arcades. Across the schemes, 15% of journeys are for shopping. This compares favourably to local road schemes that often achieve a BCR of 2:1 or less And when we apply the potential future benefits arising from children using the routes this equates to an extra 205 million in health and other benefits across all the schemes, in addition to the cumulative benefit of 781 million which only applies to adults. With the routes reducing car journeys by enabling people to leave their cars behind, over 19 million of benefits is generated through reduced congestion over 30 years. 6.3 : 1 over 30 years is the estimated benefit to cost ratio (BCR) of the overall programme* *Using Department for Transport methodology [The scheme has brought] massive tourism benefits. (Council member, Port Talbot) 12 Transforming local travel

13 Increasing retail vitality In Harrogate, the Nidderdale Greenway has boosted trade for a number of local businesses. Mervyn Moorse, owner of Hopkins Porter, an independent delicatessen in Ripley, says the greenway has brought new customers: We ve had everything; cyclists, walkers, joggers and horse riders. We even had a guy who d unicycled all the way from central Harrogate. Andrew Richards, owner of The Big Red Bike Company, has been able to extend his business with the launch of a bike hire service. He comments: The establishment of the greenway has led directly to the creation of a new arm of the business which at the very least is a highly effective marketing tool, costing equivalent to two months advertising in the local weekly newspaper, and should [ ] be a profit centre for the business in its own right. Scheme partners: Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, local community organisations, charities and the Ripley Estate Photo: Dean Smith

Creating better environments Enabling people to leave their cars behind has resulted in nearly 1.

7 million car miles and an estimated 1,242 tonnes of carbon. 3.

to tackling the problem of air pollution, which is known to kill as many people each year in Britain as

14 Creating better environments Enabling people to leave their cars behind has resulted in nearly 1.6 million car trips being replaced by walking and cycling journeys each year. This is a saving of nearly 3.7 million car miles and an estimated 1,242 tonnes of carbon. 3.7 million car miles saved every year Nearly And more walking and cycling is making a real contribution to tackling the problem of air pollution, which is known to kill as many people each year in Britain as obesity and road accidents combined. These better environments therefore contribute to better health. 1.6 million short car trips saved each year 14 Transforming local travel

Creating a green travel corridor The links that have been created between Sale and Stretford provide a real green alternative to car travel for local journeys.

15 Creating a green travel corridor The links that have been created between Sale and Stretford provide a real green alternative to car travel for local journeys. Local residents wanting to cycle were forced to use the busy A56 road or the poor quality towpath beside the Bridgewater Canal, encouraging many people to travel by car. The re-surfacing and refurbishment of the towpath have made it easier for people to choose to walk or cycle for everyday trips. Three out of the four local traffic count points saw a decrease in the total number of motor vehicles, which corresponds with the 326% increase in usage of the greatly improved canal towpath running parallel to the busy road. We estimate that 180,000 car trips approximately 323,000 miles of car journeys have been replaced, with an estimated saving of 106 tonnes of carbon. Scheme partners: Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, Peel Holdings Ltd, Bridgewater Canal Trust and the Friends of Bridgewater Canal 106 CO 2 tonnes of carbon saved in Sale, Manchester Methodology Sustrans places great importance on having an evidence-based approach. Our dedicated research and monitoring team has carefully gathered and analysed the data in this report using a variety of methods, including: Route User Intercept Surveys, manual counts and continuous automatic counters to estimate usage levels on each scheme and trip profiles of journeys made on each scheme community event evaluation surveys of community attendees and recording of event attendee numbers and objectives retail vitality, business surveys and job creation surveys of scheme contractors. They also used various tools for analysis, including: Sustrans model for assessing the economic impacts of cycle routes the Department for Transport s economic appraisal model, WebTAG the World Health Organisation s Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT). Additional research referred to in the report includes: independent studies by ERS and CLES Consultants on community engagement and school impacts across case study schemes the work of the iconnect academic consortium. The analysis in this report is based on data from up to 79 schemes. Overall baseline usage figures are based on usage at 78 schemes and followup usage figures on 82 schemes. The cost benefit ratios are based on analysis of 78 schemes. Figures are extrapolated to reflect likely impacts across the programme. Please contact the Sustrans Research and Monitoring Unit for more details on the methodology of tools used.

16 Awards The success of work to extend the National Cycle Network deep into the heart of UK communities has been recognised with a number of prestigious awards. The 84 schemes have won accolades both individually and collectively. Here are just a few: National Lottery Award Sustrans scooped the Environment award through a public vote, for its work to transform everyday travel in communities across the UK by making it easier for millions of people to walk and cycle. awards European Greenways Awards The Two Tunnels Greenway in Bath was among eight across Europe to be recognised as best practice examples in these prestigious awards. The scheme won third place in the Exemplary Initiatives category, for the innovative and exemplary restoration of the Combe Down Tunnel. asp?docid=721 Worcester Greenway came third in the Excellence category for the conception, design and technical execution of the greenway, including the Diglis Bridge. And Padiham Greenway in Burnley won second place in the Exemplary Initiative category, and was recognised as a tool for social integration and cohesion in a difficult socio-economic environment. asp?docid=590 Eurostar Ashden Award for Sustainable Travel The judges recognised the portfolio of schemes as changing the culture and perception of cycling, and taking cycling from the fringe to the mainstream. Sustrans is a registered charity in the UK No (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland) About Sustrans Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable. We re a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. We work with families, communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people are able to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move through and live in. Sustrans (Head Office) 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol BS1 5DD

DOE Climate Change Proposals

DOE Climate Change Proposals Sustrans response to Proposals for Taking Forward NI Climate Change Legislation January 2016 About Sustrans Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable.