Transport Policy Sub-Committee
9 February 2010
Agenda item 5
TPSC/09/09
Transport Policy Coordinator Update
General
Charlotte Humphries took over as the new full time Transport Policy Coordinator (TPC) from Jo
Leyland from the 16 November 2009 and has been promoting sustainable travel options where
possible and managing the car park enquiries and complaints during the implementation of the new
car parking management system.
Car Parks
Improvements to both car parking management and infrastructure are covered under agenda item 6.
A second Traffic Officer has been appointed who will be starting on 15 February 2010 and will work
with Marc Dean to provide help and assistance in the car parks and enforce the car parking system.
Car Users
Whilst discouraged car use is inevitable for some people due to many factors such as distance,
accessible public transport etc therefore a number of inclusive promotions are planned. A car
maintenance and advisory session is planned to encourage ‘environmentally better’ driving.
Car Share Scheme
The car share scheme has been marketed by email to subscription lists and has seen an increase in
membership from 139 in October to 196 by the end of January 2010. With a budget to market this
scheme membership will increase. The proposed scheme is aimed for launch in February with the
strap line ‘Love to Share’ or similar, will highlight the scheme and provide factual assistance on how
the scheme works and membership benefits to car drivers. This scheme is part of our Colchester 2020
Travel Plan Partnership and is inclusive in the membership fee.
250
200
150
Total Monthly
Members
100
New members
50
Dec-09
Nov-09
Oct-09
Sep-09
Aug-09
Jul-09
Jun-09
May-09
Apr-09
Mar-09
Feb-09
Jan-09
0
Chart Shows Membership of the Car Share Scheme
The scheme requires a Guaranteed Ride Home Scheme (GRHS) to back up the car share scheme
should someone have need to return home due to an unforeseen emergency then the University will
assist the scheme member getting home. This can be by arranging an alternative lift or where
necessary by taxi. A budget for the GRHS and the car share marketing is requested as detailed in
agenda item 9.
Wombat Car Club (WCC)
The WCC has received limited promotion and this has reflected on the take up. A promotion in
conjunction with Colchester 2020 Travel Plan Club is a measure which will reflect on the proposed
updates Sustainable Transport Policy framework. Access to ‘Sophie’, the vehicle names by the
WCC, is primarily for business use by Estate Management during office hours although the system
allow external book also. Sophie will be marketed to students and staff as a car club is an important
element for instituting a sustainable approach to travel. The Transport Policy Coordinator will work
closely with Estate Management and Internal communications to better market the car. A budget to
market the WCC is requested as detailed in agenda item 9.
Public Transport
A staff salary advance season ticket was launched in conjunction with HR in November.
Below is a summary of the scheme:
Month
Oct-09
Nov-09
Dec-09
Jan-10
Feb-10
Total on Scheme
No. on
scheme
5
6
3
2
Cost per
month
£1,052.00
£1,037.00
£503.00
£3,936.00
16
£6,528.00
Bus Travel
The TPC has been working with the Public Transport User Group and Operations Manager and
Network Planner for First Essex Buses to highlight where there are issues with services 61 and 62 so
that they can resolve timetable and planning issues. The TPC has created a successful partnership
between the University and First Essex Buses to quickly get answers and resolve complaints by users
of from the University. With a new residence being constructed in Southend a scheme to offer
reduced bus tickets to students is proposed. The Octopus Ticket covers a multi operator area of
Southend from Castle Point and Rochford District Council’s Boundary to Southend. Match funding
under a green travel partnership is proposed and funding from the University is requested for this
scheme as detailed in agenda item 9.
Rail Travel
The Department for Transport have said National Express will lose their franchise of the National
Express East Anglia (NXEA) on 31 March 2011. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has stated that
the process for securing a new operator is underway and a new franchise could begin in April 2011.
Cycling
Bike to Work week is in June this year and a cycle event is planned to take advantage to the national
week’s campaign. Secure bike tagging via micro chips is proposed to encourage cycling to work
along with a breakfast and a competition. The funding requirement for this event is detailed in agenda
item 9.
Agenda item 5
TPSC/09/09
Colchester
Over 50 staff and students have attended a cycle training session. Training was provided by Cycle
Training East and has been fully sponsored by ECC and Colchester Cycle Town funds.
Approximately £216.00 has been funded ECC/Colchester Cycle Town.
Those who attended training were awarded cycle lights that have a recommended retail price of
£19.99. Approximately £999.50 has been funded by ECC/Colchester Cycle Town.
It has been agreed in principle that the cycle path linking North Towers to Boundary Road (agenda
item 8) will be match funded by Colchester Cycle Town funds which will be approximately
£38,439.50.
Dr Bike
Dr Bike services have been available on Fridays’ between 12pm and 3pm until next term when the
service will resume to twice weekly; Wednesday 12pm – 3pm and Friday 12pm – 3pm. There were
occasions when Dr Bike was not able to be on site due to the weather conditions. Due to the Rayleigh
Tower improvement work Dr Bike has been relocated to Square 5 until further notice. Procurement
of the Dr Bike service is covered under agenda item 9.
Re-Cycle Bike Sales
A partnership with Re-Cycle a bicycle re-cycling charity has been invited on site to sell discounted
cycle to student and staff on two occasions; Fresher’s Fair and a cycle event. This has been
particularly successful and Re-cycle will be on campus every term to help achieve the aim to make
cycle accessible to everyone.
Southend
A Cycle promotion was held by the Student Union and supported by the Transport Policy
Coordinator, the Campus Manager and Southend Borough Council and agreed the following aims;












Plan an event for each term to encourage students to cycle
SBC to provide suitable cycle training
SBC to offer loan cycles for student to try out
SBC to offer cycle lights, other peripherals and continued support to the University
make affordable cycles accessible to students
make cycling social and cool
where possible to organise discount of safety equipment with local bike retailers
improve cycling infrastructure at Southend Campus
provide safe and adequate cycle storage facilities
inform staff and students about the availability and location of cyclist showers and lockers
Match funding University cycle promotion investment under the Southend Cycle Town status
Themed events for students aimed at encouraging cycling
Southend Borough Council’s cycle team are now working with the Student Union and Campus
Manager to encourage cycle use to the campus.
Southend-on-Sea is also a Cycle Town and has agreed in principle that the cycle elements of the new
residences in London Road receive match funding on application and it is expected that this will be
approximately £15,300.
Agenda item 5
TPSC/09/09
Cycle to Work Scheme
There are 39 members of staff on the Cycle Scheme. All scheme users are employee at the Colchester
Campus.
Year
No. Of Participants
Cost
2007- 2008
14
9,138.83
2008 – 2009
19
14,197.46
2009 - 2010
6
3,388.84
Total Scheme Cost to date £26,725
Cycling infrastructure
The University is continuing to push for improvements to the cycle route from Hythe Station via
Hawkins Road although Essex County Council (ECC) has had delays with improvements to Hawkins
Hill due to parking issues. Work has been done on Avon Way by ECC to improve the cycle route
from there. Cycle route improvements are being undertaken in Greenstead by Colchester Cycle
Town. A proposal for increased cycle parking is given in agenda item 8 with a further project for a
secure parking area to be proposed. Colchester campus cycle related infrastructure projects are
covered under agenda item 9 and significant cycle storage is planned for the new student residential
development at Southend campus.
Pedestrians
A walking promotion is planned for April 2010 in support of Walk to Work week with road safety
tips, maps and a competition and personal attack alarms for vulnerable walkers. Funding for this
event is detailed in agenda item 9. Following last year’s walking promotion a walker’s mailing list
has subsequently been set up to market the event. Various crossing projects have been completed in
this period, covered under agenda item 9, to increase pedestrian safety.
Clingoe Hill still remains an issue despite communications to all Colchester campus about the dangers
of crossing a dual carriageway. The Knowledge Gateway development includes this location and
work with the Highways Agency and ECC will introduce pedestrian and cycle crossings in that
location which aim to better access to the University and address the current concerns.
Lockers
Essex Council Council’s Business Travel Plan section has offered funding to purchase 15 lockers
costing £59.52 each to encourage more cyclist and pedestrians. They request we commit to £300
towards the total cost (£892.80) of the lockers as commitment to sustainable travel. This sum is
included in agenda item 9.
Funding
The Transport Policy Coordinator on behalf of the University has secured the sum of £55,347.80,
which has either received in goods/services or is confirmation in principle. This sum is additional
supplementary income for the Sustainable Transport budget.
Transport Policy Sub-Committee is requested to note and endorse the measures being taken to
implement the University’s Sustainable Transport Strategy.
Charlotte Humphries
Transport Policy Coordinator
Agenda item 5
TPSC/09/09