travel ipswich - green suffolk · that there will be 42,000 passenger trips over the coming year....
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome to the latest edition of the Smarter Choices e-newsletter. This quarterly newsletter
is designed to inform and promote current and future initiatives that will encourage more
sustainable and active travel within the county. If you have, or know of any schemes or
events that you think would be of interest to others, please send me the details
([email protected]) and I will include them in the next newsletter.
The Travel Ipswich scheme has been focussing on the London Road area of the town
recently. Three traffic signals have so far been updated to allow them to be added to the new
Urban Traffic Management System. The pedestrian crossings at these sites have also been
enhanced to improve the journey for people wishing to access places such as Ranelagh Road
Primary School, Chantry Park or neighbouring businesses.
We are now concentrating on the Princes Street/Commercial Road junction to further improve
the main walking route from Ipswich Station towards the town centre. The work will also
make the environment safer for pedestrians by reducing the width of the slip road opposite
the Post Office sorting office. This will reduce the speed of traffic heading towards the rail
station.
The pelican crossing on Commercial
Road will be replaced with a zebra
crossing, to give pedestrians more
priority, a further pedestrian crossing
will be added on Princes Street, and
all traffic signals will be updated
across the junction. The work at this
site is expected to last until mid-
November, so please allow extra
time if you are traveling through this
area of Ipswich. Click here for more
details and a plan of the proposed
works.
Travel Ipswich
September 2014
Part of the area being improved (rail station in background)
Are you ready to Bounce?
Bounce is coming to
Lowestoft; challenge
yourself, your friends and
your colleagues and be in
with the chance to win prizes. Bounce is a fun, free challenge that everyone can take part in
and earn great rewards. Use Bounce to see who can log the most journeys around the town,
whether it is cycling to work, walking to the pub, catching the bus or car sharing. Remember,
every trip that you log takes you one step closer to winning a prize!
Get cycling!
Lowestoft Local Links, Sustrans and Cycle Suffolk will again be working
together to deliver cycle confidence sessions for businesses. The
tailored four week programme offers a variety of cycling activity; it
includes both indoor and outdoor sessions and offers a friendly
introduction to cycling, gradually building confidence. The four
sessions are fully-funded so there is no cost to your business, only the
benefits of having active employees. If you would like to find out more
or to book your four sessions please contact Sustrans Bike It Officers:
[email protected] [email protected]
Suffolk Spokes People is the county’s cycling
presence on Twitter. It complements the web pages by
providing an interactive forum to discuss cycling events
and issues within the county.
The cycling web page www.suffolk.gov.uk/cycling has
recently been updated to bring together all cycling
resources. The page contains links to the county’s
cycling strategy, safety advice as well as links to cycling
maps and guidance for both cycle travel in towns and
leisure cycling.
Suffolk Spokes People are also undertaking a review of the cycling facilities in strategic towns
of Suffolk, in order to identify concerns along the routes and feed into improvement plans and
cycle map updates.
You can keep in touch with the latest local cycling news by following Twitter @SuffolkSpokes.
Lowestoft Local Links
Suffolk Spokes People
East West Rail Study shows benefits for economic
growth
A new report published by a consortium to assess the
value of extending the East West Rail Link from Cambridge
to Bedford has demonstrated real potential to support economic growth.
The report, commissioned by the East West Rail Central Section Consortium, is the first step
towards developing an outline business case for the East West Rail ‘Central Section’. The
Central Section (Cambridge to Bedford) will link to the Western Section (Bedford to Oxford),
providing a direct route f rom Cambridge to the South West of England.
The consortium will now work with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to consider
the costs of implementing the line and deciding on a preferred route and service pattern. This
work will help to develop a business case for submission to Government in 2016 for inclusion
in the 2019-24 investment plans for the rail industry.
The development of the Central Section will provide benefits for Suffolk, such as offering
alternative routes for freight and strengthening business case for improvements to the line
between Ipswich and Cambridge.
A copy of the report is available from the East West Rail Consortium website:
http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section
Great Eastern Main Line Taskforce holds workshop to show progress
Details on the progress to improve line speeds, rolling stock and line capacity on the Great
Eastern Main Line (GEML) were shared with local councillors and rail stakeholders at an event
organised by Ipswich MP, Ben Gummer.
The event, which took place at Suffolk County Council included presentations from Richard
Schofield, Anglia Route Director at Network Rail; Roger Jones, Department for Transport;
Chloe Smith MP for Norwich North, Jamie Burles, Managing Director at Abellio Greater Anglia;
Sharon Hedges, Passenger Issues Manager at Passenger Focus; and Neil Miles, Managing
Director at Smart421.
Presentations included information on the
three areas of the Taskforce’s work:
timetables, infrastructure and rolling stock,
as well as the challenges that must be
overcome. The event also provided the
opportunity to launch the Great Eastern Rail
Campaign, which encourages rail users in
Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to support the
demands for rail improvements on the
GEML. The results of the Taskforce’s work is
being developed into a report, which is due
to be published in the autumn. The report
will show options and costs for achieving
faster line speeds, more frequent services
and new rolling stock.
Suffolk Rail
Further information is available from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership website:
http://www.newanglia.co.uk/find-out-about-us/campaigns-to-unlock-barriers-to-
growth/gerailcampaign/
November date set for Suffolk Rail Conference
This year’s Suffolk Rail Conference will take place on the 14th November at Suffolk County
Council Headquarters in Ipswich. Speakers will include the Director General for the new Rail
Executive, Planning and Strategy Director at Network Rail, Project Manager for East West
Rail, Executive Director for the Rail Freight Group, and MPs Ben Gummer and Therese Coffey.
People in Suffolk will soon be able to use their mobile phones as bus
tickets thanks to a new initiative from local transport provider First
Eastern Counties.
From September 1, people living in Ipswich and the surrounding area
will be able to buy tickets on their smart phone via a new app, ‘First Bus
Mobile Tickets’.
Customers simply show the driver the ticket on their mobile phone
screens.
The initiative has been introduced to make it easier for customers to
buy tickets and to speed up boarding times. It is hoped that the new
approach will encourage more people to travel by bus and improve
journey times, as well as strengthening the company’s eco credentials.
Passengers can now purchase tickets by using the ‘First Bus Mobile Tickets app’, which is
available for free on App Store and Google Play. Customers need to download the app,
register, select the ticket they want and navigate the secure payment system. Once the
payment section is complete, bus tickets live in a virtual wallet ready for the customer to
show the driver. Repeat users need only select the required tickets and confirm the security
code on their debit/credit card. For live updates follow @FirstIpswich on Twitter.
http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/suffolk_norfolk/journey_planning/mtickets/
The UK government has announced further funding for the home
charging points. The new £9 million plug-in car grant scheme will cover
up to 75% of the cost of installing a domestic charging point.
The new scheme will be effective from 1st September 2014 with its new
maximum payment per grant of £900.
New £9 Million EV Charging Grant
Mobile Phones are just the ticket for FIRST customers
The new scheme recognises the need for financial incentives to encourage plug-in vehicle take-up with safe, dedicated charging provision.
To find out more about this incentive and the home charging options available contact the
team at EValu8 on [email protected]
October is International Walk to School Month.
Each year, primary school pupils from across the UK
join forces with children in more than 40 countries
worldwide to celebrate the benefits of walking to
school.
This month-long activity encourages pupils to walk
at least once a week for the month, helping embed
good habits at the beginning of the school year.
Resources are available with fun-filled classroom
packs which contain everything a school needs to
run the challenge.
Whether you’re a school, a parent or a child, you
will have everything you need to know to take part
and get walking.
http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/walk-to-school/international-walk-to-school-
month
Why not use National Liftshare Week as an opportunity to give car sharing a try?
Car sharing is when two or more people share a car and travel together. It allows people to
benefit from the convenience of the car, whilst helping to alleviate the associated problems of congestion and pollution.
You can share a car for any journey: getting to work, doing the weekly shop, taking the
children to school, going to the match at the weekend, travelling to a festival, event or show, getting to or from university, visiting friends or getting to the airport
What are the benefits of sharing a car?
Saves you money - travelling with others enables you to reduce your transport costs
by up to £1000 a year. Reduces the number of cars on the roads - resulting in less congestion, less pollution
and fewer parking problems
National Liftshare Week – Monday 6th October to Friday 10th October
International Walk to School Month - October
Provides a real solution to the transport problems of rural areas Gives employees and employers more transport options
Reduces the need for a private car Meeting like-minded people
Suffolk Car Share has 2,477 members registered. 209
members have confirmed that they are sharing a regular journey (not all members give feedback). It is forecast
that there will be 42,000 passenger trips over the coming year. This will lead to a reduction of 600,000 journey miles, saving those members £160,000 and reducing CO2
emissions by 200 tonnes!
Road Safety Week is all about schools, organisations and
communities taking action to promote road safety, and help save
lives.
You can find ideas on ways schools, communities, organisations and professionals can get
involved, and find examples of what happened in previous years here.
Register to be emailed a FREE action pack full of resources and advice to help you take part.
It includes downloadable posters, web banners and other tools to help you raise awareness,
plus ideas and examples of activities you can run during Road Safety Week.
http://www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk/action-pack
Healthy Ambitions Million Steps Challenge begins on
Monday 8th September 2014 and finishes on Sunday 5th
October 2014.
All businesses are encouraged to take part and support their
staff as they embark on their daily walks. Together, teams of 5 people can cover one million steps over the four week
period.
To reach the target, each team member will need to walk at least 10,000 steps on five days of the week, for four weeks. Everyone can include the steps taken during the weekend in
their total, which gives the perfect excuse to become more active during leisure time. There’s still time to register! http://healthyambitions.org.uk/onemillionsteps/
Road Safety Week Monday 17 – Friday 23 November
Healthy Ambitions Million Steps Challenge
There’s a new Great Run Local at Southwold – it’s a free, weekly running opportunity for social runners and joggers. It is particularly aimed at beginners and
non-runners who could jog or even walk the 1 mile course and progress to the 3 mile course if they wish over time. The aim is to
provide residents in Southwold and the surrounding communities with an opportunity to take part in a safe and organised running
event that provides the participants with an enjoyable and rewarding running experience. Runs take place every Sunday and start at 9:30am from the Water Tower on the Common.
However, anyone can set up a Great Run Local to benefit their
community. All you need is an enthusiastic volunteer team, an
appropriate area for the course and interest in making your
community more active. If you would like to consider setting up a Great Run Local in your
town or village contact Ben Jackson from Suffolk Sport ([email protected] /
07827 308649) for more details on the support and advice that can be provided to help you
get started. http://www.greatrunlocal.org/
The Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Bike Ride for 2014 is
being held on Saturday 13 September. Sponsor forms and the
list of open churches are available from Suffolk Churches.
You choose your route and how far you cycle. If you are near
the county borders they can even let you have a list of open
churches in the adjoining counties. Half of the money raised
will go to your chosen church or chapel, and the rest to Suffolk
Historic Churches Trust. http://www.shct.org.uk/sponsored-
bike-ride
Check out www.goskyride.com to find free cycle rides that are happening in your area. You
can select your level, the times when you are available to ride, including women only and
children’s rides. You can also look for a cycle buddy by simply entering your buddy
preferences then entering your area or postcode in the Ride Social section of
http://www.goskyride.com/
Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Bike Ride - Saturday 13 September
Could you organise a Great Run Local?
goskyride.com
Orwell Housing has received funding towards the installation of a new shower
and changing facilities at their Ipswich office, after taking advantage of the Travel Plan Grant
scheme
Chris Wyer, Director of Finance & Resources, said they had been
considering the installation of a cycle shelter, shower and changing
facilities for some time but had been cautious due to the costs.
However, the suggestion by an employee to implement the Bike To
Work Scheme and provide cycle facilities, coupled with being made
aware of the Travel Plan Grant scheme, prompted Orwell Housing into
action to acquire these new facilities. In addition, the employee who
made the suggestion has now become the office Cycle Champion!
Staff members are already becoming more aware of the benefits of
these new facilities; cycling is on the increase, some are going for a ‘social cycle’ after work
whilst others have started to jog to and from the workplace.
Orwell Housing takes a keen interest in the health and wellbeing of its staff, and is eager to
foster a healthy workforce. Apart from encouraging an active commute, which included
joining the Bike to Work Scheme, they also signed up to the Healthy Ambitions Workplace
Health & Wellbeing Programme. For Chris Wyer, the advantages to the organisation of
having a staff with greater wellbeing and sustained or improved health includes lower
absenteeism, alert and focused employees, which then leads to greater efficiency and higher
productivity.
Ipswich Buses Real Ale Runabouts – you will be taken by bus from Tower Ramparts at
7pm, to enjoy the hospitality of a Suffolk hostelry at various locations!
Suffolk Festival of Running – Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September. Dig Deep is a
weekend festival of races and all things running at Wantisden Hall Farm near Woodbridge. It
will feature runs ranging from 5½ miles to 50 miles, and has
been designed to cater for every fitness level. The festival will
also feature a programme of running lectures and films.
Pretty Muddy Race for Life - Sunday 7th September. Trinity Park, Ipswich. Get down and
dirty by taking part in a 5k mud run where women of mixed abilities climb, jog and walk all
over cancer - it can be as challenging as you want to make it. In aid of Cancer Research UK
The Success After Stroke - Sudbury 10k and 5k run on Sunday 7th September 2014.
Scenic 10k or 5k multi-terrain race across outstanding countryside. The race takes place on
private land not normally open to the public. Races would suit runners of all standard.
Proceeds in aid of the local stroke charity, Success After Stroke
Smarter Choices Case Study – Orwell Housing
Local events and activities for you to try
Ipswich Half Marathon - The 2014 Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon takes place on
Sunday 21 September 2014, starting and finishing in Christchurch Park, Ipswich. Enter now
to avoid disappointment! For further information please visit the website or follow on twitter
@TheHalfMarathon or Facebook Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon
Lowestoft Scores Race – Sunday 14th September. Senior and Junior races along the
northern sea wall and returning via the towns historic Scores. This is a demanding race of
approx 4.75 miles and 401 steps (the Junior race covers approx 1.4 miles and 254 steps)
Felixstowe Coastal 10 – Sunday 28th September, a 10-mile race along the seafront of
Felixstowe.
Snacks at Snape - Sunday 28th September, a 34-mile free cycle ride from Kesgrave to
Snape Maltings
Ipswich Cycle Swarm – Sunday 5th October starting at Christchurch Park a 25, 50 or 100 mile ride in aid of Cancer Research.
Jelly Legs Events - Saturday 25 October, Bury St Edmunds – 10k Forest Run, set in The Kings Forest the course is run over forest tracks, fire trails and grass land. The race is safe and novice friendly.
Stowmarket Striders – Sunday 9th November, Stowmarket Striders Scenic 7 is a relatively
flat 7 mile course with only a couple of undulations. The course starts at Stowmarket Leisure
Centre and heads out past Onehouse to Harleston then loops round and back to Harleston
before returning along the same route past Onehouse back to the finish.
Park Runs at Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Gorleston, Great Cornard & Ipswich
Parkrun organises weekly, 5km runs. These are open to everyone and are safe and easy to
take part in. Runners take part for their own enjoyment. It’s free to participate! Register
online and then go and join in, whatever your pace!
Walking in Suffolk - Free walks of varying lengths and abilities, available to download and
print.
Stepping out
Stepping Out in Suffolk is a programme of health walks offered across the county by Livewell
Suffolk. These are low impact, guided walks that enable people to increase or maintain levels
of physical activity in a supportive, sociable environment.
The walks are with trained leaders and at walkers’ own pace. Children are very welcome
when accompanied by an adult. Buggies and wheelchairs are also welcome where stated that
the walk is suitable.
Contact information:
Andrea Cahillane www.travelipswich.co.uk [email protected]
Sharon Payne Project Manager [email protected]
Steff Jones www.greensuffolk.org/travel/transport-projects/lowestoft-local-links [email protected]
Chris Ward Travel Planner [email protected]
Kerry Allen Transport Planner (Rail) [email protected]
If you know of anyone who would like to receive the Smarter Choices Newsletter, please contact me on
[email protected] . Equally, if you do not wish to receive the newsletter any longer, contact me
and I will removed you from the mailing list [email protected]