Active Travel includes a range of initiatives to improve the way people move and live in cities and towns. Initiatives include the likes of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Mini Holland Schemes, School Streets, Green Space creation and providing infrastructure to enhance transport such as cycling. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to trial, and permanently install some of these changes while traffic volumes were reduced.
To deliver these schemes, councils must raise funding from various sources including the Department for Transport and Transport for London. With so many schemes still being implemented following COVID-19, councils must compete for funding pots, demonstrating why their scheme provides the most impact for investment.
Tasks / challenges:
Activity:
The council had already made the shortlist of 20 by proposing that their existing scheme should be further developed to provide permanent benefits. The second round required specific information around what features would be delivered, and how this would benefit the community. Our team worked closely with artists, project managers, engineers and architects to explore options for the existing spaces without paying for detailed design. We researched existing community feedback to provide proof that our application would be well received. Finally we established a business case with a quantity surveyor to ensure the aspirations could be realistically delivered within the budget.
Result:
The council was awarded the full amount requested, which has allowed them to make the schemes permanent, connecting travel through the area and improving safety and quality of life for those living there.