Connecting Cheltenham Connectivity & Modal Shift Strategy

Technical details

Client

Cheltenham Borough Council

Missions

Urban Design & Transport Planning Consultant

Location

Cheltenham, UK

Perimeter

Movement & Place, Urban Design & Masterplanning, Walking & Cycling

Activity

Cities & Urban Mobility

A Move towards low carbon geographic connectivity

Connecting Cheltenham is Cheltenham Borough Council’s ambitious vision for transport to help tackle the climate emergency.

The Council’s Connecting Cheltenham strategy aims to develop the local transport network to put people first, prioritise walking and cycling for short trips as well as effective public transport for localised journeys and encourage a shift toward low carbon geographic connectivity for longer journeys.

Delivering Modal Shift

SYSTRA was appointed by Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) to produce a high level transport strategy to deliver modal shift in order to support the council’s pledge to make Cheltenham carbon-neutral by 2030, integrate new development into the existing transport network, and help deliver Cheltenham’s wider place- making agenda.

Connecting Cheltenham is evidence based, following extensive baseline data collection and analysis, and sets out the long-term strategy and delivery plan for transport in Cheltenham. The strategy endeavours to: accommodate growth including increases in travel demand, while also boosting sustainable travel mode share; improve accessibility and connectivity; maximise environmental, social and health benefits; and ultimately the strategy will inform Cheltenham’s inputs into Gloucestershire’s LTP review.

Outcomes-Focussed Approach

The strategy proposes six desired outcomes and four targets against which projects coming forward should be tested to ensure that the wide range of issues that transport impacts are addressed, not just those that can be measured. The targets include a mode share target and two ‘Vision Zero’ Targets. These ‘vision zero’ targets reflect the desire to set high long term aspirations for key areas of concern and then pursuing year on year progress towards these targets.

Six cross-cutting programmes have been proposed, including a likely broad cost envelope. The six programmes of delivery are as follows:

• Strategic Connections
• Liveable Street
• Cycle Cheltways
• Interchange and Public Transport
• Behaviour Change
• Technology and Information

These programmes will deliver the aspirations identified in the identified outcomes and targets in order to create a Cheltenham of tomorrow that will be highly liveable and well connected through increased walking, cycling, and public transport use.