Published: 05 March 2008
Promoting Sustainable Transport in Urban Areas
A new UK and Ireland network to encourage innovation and promote sustainable, clean & efficient transport in our towns and cities has been launched this week.
The initiative includes walking and cycling projects as well as work towards developing cleaner fuel and more efficient vehicles.
CIVITAS - which stands for CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability - is a European initiative aiming to bring cleaner and more efficient transport to cities by promoting integrated, sustainable transport strategies.
36 cities across Europe are members of the scheme including Preston, Norwich, Winchester, Bristol and Cork.
The new CIVITAS UK and Ireland Network will see local authorities work closely with representatives of the Department for Transport, Irish Ministry and the European Commission to share best practice and experiences.
Speaking at an event in Preston to mark the launch of the network, Transport Minister Rosie Winterton welcomed transport planners and promoters from across Europe and gave her full support for their aims and ambitions:
"Across Europe, CIVITAS member towns are aiming to provide transport that's safe, affordable and comfortable.
They appreciate the need to meet rising demand for travel and support economic growth whilst at the same time providing cleaner, safer environments.
I very much support the CIVITAS agenda and think that the communities involved can benefit greatly from the network and help share best practice with similar towns and cities across Europe."
Whilst in Preston Rosie Winterton also opened the Adelphi Quarter Clear Zone, a project delivered through funding from the CIVITAS scheme along with contributions from local transport plan funding and local partners.
It aims to provide residents with a high quality environment by introducing traffic management measures with improved public spaces and urban design.
The Adelphi Clear Zone is in the area surrounding the University of Central Lancashire's Preston Campus, including Fylde Road and Adelphi Street, which was identified as an ideal location to encourage increased levels of walking, cycling, and public transport use.
Lancashire County Council in partnership with Preston City Council, the University and the surrounding community developed the street scene in the area to facilitate greater use of sustainable transport modes.
The key outputs of the scheme have been to:
· Improve road safety
· Provide a safe and attractive environment for residents and students
· Enhance the University campus
· Reduce the impact of traffic
· Encourage feelings of safety
· Improve connections to the area from the city centre
· Encourage use of public transport
The project complements the DfT's own Sustainable Travel Towns initiative where a combination of measures, including personalised travel planning and cycling & walking schemes, have helped transform the travel habits of thousands of people in Peterborough, Darlington and Worcester.
The Sustainable Travel Towns initiative in Darlington has seen 9% fewer car driver trips, with a 15% increase in walking, 2% increase in public transport and 65% increase in cycling since 2004.
Similarly, Peterborough has seen a 10% reduction in car driver trips, an 11% increase in walking, a 22% increase in cycling and a 13% increase in public transport use.
While Worcester has shown a 12% reduction in car driver trips, a 19% increase in walking, a 30% increase in cycling and a 13% increase in public transport use since 2004.
Further information
CIVITAS (CIty-VITAlity-Sustainability)
Sustainable Travel Towns initiative
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