Delivering Sustainable Transport Solutions for Housing Growth report

Publisher:: Department for Transport

Date published:: 09 December 2010

Foreword to the Report by Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport

Effective, sustainable transport is an essential part of any successful community. It provides the arteries that support economic growth, and the links that give people access to jobs and services.

But alongside the many advantages of a mobile society come a number of challenges.
We need to reduce pollution and carbon emissions from transport. We need to tackle congestion on our roads. And we need to encourage more cycling and walking – not least because physical inactivity is a major contributory factor to poor health.

Of course the fiscal imperative to reduce the UK’s record budget deficit and regenerate our economy will inevitably require difficult spending cuts in the short term by both central and local government – and transport must play its part in that process. But
it does not mean we hold back on plans to deliver more sustainable transport. In fact it makes them even more critical.

To meet growth objectives in these challenging times, communities need transport options that are low cost and high value. They need measures that ensure maximum use of public transport; that reduce dependence on cars; and that support more cycling and walking.

Achieving these goals requires vision and cooperation at every level: among local people and passengers, transport operators, employers, schools and local authorities. It needs a commitment by council planners to share best practice and expertise, and a willingness to work across authority boundaries.

It is vital that sustainable transport is a central consideration from the early stages of local planning - for example whenever new houses or retail areas are being developed. Too often in the past, it has been an afterthought.

This document sets out the conclusions of a study on sustainable transport carried out by the Department for Transport and Atkins – an engineering and design company. The study was designed to help specific communities tackle local transport problems by embracing sustainability – and while every different place is unique, I believe the lessons learned from the detailed case studies in this document will be relevant to all, and will benefit communities and local authorities across the country.

Report Summary

A report on the lessons learned from Local Communities looking to tackle transport challenges through early planning and designing of sustainable transport measures to encourage behaviour change. The work looks at real transport concerns and lessons learnt from 15 Local Authorities with significant housing growth ambitions. This report also includes a selection of case studies from commercial organisations.

Downloads - main report

Downloads - case studies

Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council - delivering sustainable transport for dispersed housing growth:

Dover District Council - connecting growth through Bus Rapid Transit:

Dover District Council design drawings:

Durham City Council - provision of sustainable transport to a mixed growth area:

East Cambridgeshire District Council - delivering sustainable growth in the historic city of Ely:

East Hampshire District Council and Hampshire County Council - Whitehill-Bordon: sustainable transport beyond the eco-town:

Leeds City Council - an urban eco-settlement:

Mid Mersey Local Authorities - cross-boundary integration:

Milton Keynes Council - building the case for smarter choices:

Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council - cycling connectivity:

Plymouth City Council - delivering high quality public transport to serve housing growth:

West Lindsey District Council - dealing with growth ahead of policy framework:

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