Overview
Traffic is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming, and is also the source of other pollutants that are thought to have a detrimental effect on health. In addition to air pollution and climate change, traffic also causes stress, road rage, demand for parking space, and health problems due to lack of exercise. The combined impacts of traffic makes a strong case for greener, more environmentally friendly types of transport. The project sought to understand the processes and methodologies required to implement successful large scale green transport projects covering the town of Chepstow (approx. 9,000 inhabitants). The project aimed to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable forms of transport in an innovative way, embracing bottom-up, public participation and a holistic approach to planning and delivery.
The project aimed to explore the methodology behind changing people's attitudes to more sustainable forms of transport and to influencing a modal shift. Various structural/capital schemes were envisaged in Chepstow over the three years of the LIFE programme. These included traffic management measures, walking, cycling and public transport projects and a public transport timetable, tourist information and car share database, all to encourage a modal shift to more sustainable forms of transport. The objectives of the project were: i)To identify the major processes and methodologies in implementing large scale projects that change people/employer attitudes to adopting a more sustainable approach to transport, recognising that most local authorities have limited funds for public participation. ii) To produce an integrated green transport plan for Chepstow, based upon public participation and co-operation between employers, public transport and service providers, schools and statutory authorities, and to assess the application of this approach. iii) To test methods for the monitoring of pollution, health and congestion in the town, compatible with the County Council's Draft Local Agenda 21 document. iv) To prepare best practice advice to other local authorities and organisations, based on the results of the project. v) To identify cultural, legislative or technical measures that would improve the implementation of the project's objectives. A formal partnership was established between the County Council and the University of Wales in Cardiff which provided the relevant expertise in managing and measuring the results of the project. It was intended that the results of the project would assist the County Council in formulating a 'value for money', community-led approach and a methodology for sustainable transport delivery that could also be applied to other small towns across Europe.
Funding
Results
Results included:
- A Walking Bus, which encourages parents to let their children walk to school, accompanied by volunteer parents. Of three schemes originally set-up, one is now running permanently. This limited success demonstrates the difficulties encountered in changing behaviour and relying on voluntary effort.
- A Green Travel Plan was completed and distributed in February 2001 after a major community consultation exercise in Chepstow. The survey showed that although people in Chepstow see the car as the most convenient, reliable, quick and cost-effective mode of travel, the vast majority also said that they were concerned about the destruction of the environment and that excessive car use is a problem (79%). Half of the people surveyed said that they thought walking was the most enjoyable mode of travel, but most use the car even for short journeys (44%). People said they would be willing to reduce car use if improvements were made to public transport (including cost, frequency, and journey time), and 17% would walk and cycle more if footpaths and cycle paths were safer and better maintained. The project completed 17 pedestrian fingerpost areas, improved pedestrian crossing points and accessibility in the town centre, and improved 20 bus stops with improved timetable designs and information, and raised pavement and tactile pavement.
- A local business seminar for 60 delegates from SME's was held in order to influence local businesses and make them think about how they can contribute to sustainable transport development. The seminar was followed-up by a business travel grant scheme for companies willing to start green transport intitiatives. In addition, the project will seek to implement the Car Planner in private enterprise. Car Planner is software for developing commuter plans.
- Further initiatives for which there are no measurable impacts at this stage include the travel information points, the Hopper Bus Service (a free shuttle service between tourist attractions and the town centre), and cycle stands in 10 locations.