Transport Policy Sub-Committee
6th November 2007
Agenda item 5
TPSC/07/10
Transport Policy Coordinator Update
General
Following the summer term emphasis on cycling, effort this term has been focussed on
encouraging public transport use, including introducing a highly discounted annual bus pass
for both students and staff. With the start of the new Academic year, activities have included
updating and providing travel information, particularly for new students, and working on a
process to deal with car parking issues. The Transport Policy Coordinator has been keen to
promote different transport user groups within the University and their representation at the
Transport Policy Sub-Committee. This meeting has agenda item papers from three such
groups: bus users, cyclists and motorcyclists.
Car Users
The Transport Policy Sub-Committee noted at its last meeting in July that the issue of car
parking fees for Sports Centre users was a complicated issue and an intractable problem.
Members agreed that an iLab approach be tried to address the issue, with representation from
the Sports Centre, Estate Management, the Transport Policy Sub-Committee and the
University community. Subsequent discussions resulted in developing an iLab session to
cover ‘exceptions to car parking’ since there are a number of categories of users who merit
consideration for paying reduced car parking fees besides the visitors using the Sports Centre.
The preparation for the iLab session is reported under agenda item 10.
Until this iLab session is undertaken, which should result in proposed categories of users, and
potential charging systems, it does not make sense to push ahead with revisions to collection
of car parking revenue or formal carsharing systems as proposed in July’s TPSC/07/08 paper.
Cyclists
Essex BUG
The University’s bicycle user group ‘Essex BUG’ has already held a number of meetings this
term in their efforts to improve provision for cyclists and encourage more to cycle. Their
‘Vision for cycling at University’ is given in agenda item 9.
They also manned a stand at Freshers fair to raise awareness of the group. Their stand was
next to that of ‘Recycle’, the local charity that refurbishes and sends bicycles to Africa, who
again sold around 50 refurbished bicycles to freshers, the vast majority of whom were
international students. Both Recycle and the University are keen to strengthen links between
each other.
Cycle to work
The Travel Plan Coordinator and Colchester Borough Council have been working on the
contract documentation with ‘Cyclescheme’, one of the companies that operate the
Government’s Cycle2Work tax incentive scheme aimed at encouraging employees to cycle to
work. This documentation is almost finalised. Once this is ready for use by Travel Plan Club
members, the administration of the University’s scheme will be agreed following discussions
with Finance and Personnel, and building on other best practice experience. It is anticipated
that the scheme will be launched early in the Easter term, giving people, particularly would-
be cyclists, opportunity to select their bicycles from participating stores during the term and
for the University to process payment. Cyclists would obtain their bicycles from around
Easter and a package of cycling proficiency training, maintenance training etc would be
organised to coincide with the increase in staff cycling to the University, particularly
encouraging those who are not already regular cyclists. This also coincides with the onset of
better weather which is likely to encourage new cyclists.
Upper Wivenhoe to University cycle route
Following renewed efforts earlier this year to lobby for the route, the Highways Area Office
has included the route in their list of priority schemes submitted in their five year plan to
County Hall. The Highways Office has also been lobbying for section 106 monies to be
allocated to the route. They are now awaiting approval from County Hall. Once County Hall
commits to the priority scheme, it enables the process for land acquisition to commence.
The chair of the Essex Cycle Forum has requested Wivenhoe Town Council to confirm its
route preference as they are a statutory consultee in the process. Members of the BUG have
designed an online questionnaire to gather views on the preferred route of University staff and
students. It has recently been sent out and BUG have also established a Downing Street
petition for the route which has more than 796 signatories.
Pedestrians
Developments on safe pedestrian access on Clingoe Hill are reported under agenda item 6.
Public Transport
Bus Transport
At a meeting convened in July with Bob Dorr (new regional manager of First) in July, it was
agreed by those present that efforts should first concentrate on introducing an annual bus pass
similar to that negotiated between First and the University of East Anglia, for both students
and staff. Accordingly, First together with the Students’ Union introduced a 70% discounted
‘unicard’ annual bus pass for the start of the academic year. Further details on this success
are given in agenda item 7. The uptake has also been encouraged by the much improved 10
minute bus service between the University and town and a well-frequented 11.30pm Sunday
service introduced by First in August. Other academic institutions have subsequently
contacted the University including the University’s Southend campus to find out if they can
also benefit from such a deal with First.
First are keen to build on this positive initial partnership with the University, and to provide
improved bus services. A meeting is shortly being convened between the First Managing
Director, the Registrar & Director of Estates to discuss possibilities. The University is keen
to see a specific bus link between the Hythe railway station and the University to maximise
rail travel access since the coming year will see a doubling in length of the station’s platform
permitting a half hourly rail service between London.
Rail Transport
The University is currently in the process of registering with Transport for London for
students to obtain discounted oyster cards on line for use on the London underground. This is
being handled by Student Support and will be open to students with a home address in
London, as well as those meeting criteria for undertaking teaching time in London.
Colchester Borough Council (CBC) has also been elaborating the contract for the 5% discount
on rail passes from ‘one’ which should be a tax & NI free benefit. CBC is consulting with
Travel Plan Club partners on the best way of administering the discount tickets. This should
be available before the end of the year.
Disabled access
An inaugural staff disability forum was recently convened by the Equality and Diversity
Officer to determine how best to address the issues related to disability equality. The meeting
resulted in the decision to form a University ‘Access Forum’ for both staff and students and a
draft Terms of Reference has already been circulated. Within this document, the aim of the
Forum is in promoting excellence in the provision of access in all aspects of life at the
University of Essex. One of the objectives is to receive and consider advance reports (at
planning stage) from Estates Project Officers on all new-build projects (and other Estates
projects entailing significant alteration to campus facilities).
Publicity & Promotion
Activities have been ongoing both within the University and with external organisations to
promote alternative transport to the private motor vehicle.
The University’s travel information and campus guide web pages have been updated. The
‘Transport at Essex’ page is in the process of being updated. With the redesign of the
University’s website in early 2008, the travel section will be revised.
Resources
The Traffic Control Budget 2006/7 & 2007/8 is covered in agenda item 10.
Transport Policy Sub-Committee is requested to note and endorse the measures being taken to
implement the University’s Sustainable Transport Strategy.
Jo Leyland
Transport Policy Coordinator