MIRA TECHNOLOGY PARK
Travel Plan
April 2011
MIRA TECHNOLOGY PARK
Travel Plan
April 2011
ATC Ref: 10/014‐A
Produced by
Advance Transportation Consulting Sandy Farm Business Centre The Sands Farnham Surrey GU10 1PX
Tel: 01252 782237 Email: [email protected]
MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION & SCOPE OF TRAVEL PLAN ...... 1
2. TRAVEL PLAN AIMS & OBJECTIVES ...... 4 Aims ...... 4 Objectives ...... 4
3. AUDIT OF EXISTING SITE ACCESSIBILITY...... 6 Provision for Walk & Cycle Access ...... 6 Public Transport ...... 6 Access by Private Car ...... 9
4. TRAVEL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ...... 11 Travel Plan Coordinator ...... 11 Working Group ...... 12 Communication ...... 13 Scheme Administration ...... 14 Monitoring & Review ...... 15
5. DELIVERABLE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INITIATIVES ...... 17 Walking ...... 17 Cycling ...... 17 Motorcycling ...... 22 Public Transport ...... 22 Use of Private Car ...... 28 Personalised Travel Planning ...... 30
6. TRAVEL PLAN TARGETS ...... 32 Implementation & Action Timetable ...... 32 Targets ...... 35
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
TABLES
Table 6.1 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Travel Plan Set Up & Operation ...... 32 Table 6.2 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Walking ...... 33 Table 6.3 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Cycling ...... 33 Table 6.4 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Motorcycling ...... 34 Table 6.5 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Public Transport ...... 34 Table 6.6 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Reduce Reliance on Private Car ...... 34 Table 6.7 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Personalised Travel Planning ...... 35 Table 6.8 Preliminary Targets ...... 35
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
1. INTRODUCTION & SCOPE OF TRAVEL PLAN
1.1 This draft framework Travel Plan has been prepared on behalf of MIRA Limited in respect of the proposed Technology Park on its existing site located on the Leicestershire / Warwickshire border near Nuneaton and Hinckley that is the subject of an outline masterplan application.
1.2 The rural location of the MIRA Technology Park is such that at present there is limited scope for the existing workforce and visitors to access the organisations and business by means of travel than the private car. The challenge therefore of the Travel Plan is to instigate a change in travel culture as the development of the MIRA Technology Park progresses, providing the workforce with credible, deliverable alternatives to the private car.
1.3 The location of the MIRA Technology Park is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1 MIRA Technology Park – Location Plan
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
1.4 The MIRA Technology Park masterplan development proposals comprise the following:
“Development of business/technology campus comprising replacement MIRA headquarters, office, research and manufacturing facilities, hotel and local facilities including retail/café/restaurant, ancillary energy generation plant/equipment, internal access roads, car parking, landscaping, drainage and associated work and creation of new and improved points of access; widening of A5, associated earth works and landscaping.”
1.5 The key objective of the MIRA Technology Park masterplan is to design a world class technology campus. The businesses and organisations that will occupy the MIRA Technology Park are at the forefront of new transport technologies and as such there is a unique opportunity to positively change the culture and promote sustainable transport access amongst all users.
1.6 When fully completed the MIRA Technology Park will provide a total of around 165,000m2 GFA of floorspace comprising the following:
Existing MIRA Uses (retained) ‐ 43,930m2
Future Growth of Existing MIRA Uses (in proving ground) ‐ 3,000m2
Use Class B1(b) Research & Development ‐ 96,373m2
Use Class B1(a) Offices ‐ 14,303m2
Use Class C3 Hotel ‐ 4,500m2 (100 beds)
Use Class A1 Local Retail Facilities ‐ 500m2
Use Class A3 Restaurants ‐ 1,000m2
Use Class D2 Fitness Club ‐ 1,000m2
1.7 Development of the MIRA Technology Park will be phased with the first of the new buildings being completed for occupation by the end of the year 2013 and the full development is not anticipated to be completed until the year 2021. When fully occupied the MIRA Technology Park will employ in excess of 2,500 people, creating an additional 2,000 jobs in addition to the 500 people who are presently employed by MIRA and associated businesses within the existing MIRA site.
1.8 The purpose of this Framework Travel Plan is to set out both short and long term strategies to deliver sustainable development at MIRA Technology Park where dependence on travel by private car is reduced and smarter choices are made by current and future employees in respect of travel to and from the site by more sustainable modes of travel.
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1.9 In the preparation of this Travel Plan, reference is made to the current national planning policy guidance as set out in the document PPG13: Transport (paragraph’s 87‐91) and the Department for Transport’s ‘good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning Process’ (2009).
1.10 The MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan is an organic document. At this stage of the development process not all of the end users are known. Clearly the existing MIRA business and associated companies that are already on the site form a significant proportion of the future occupation however other MIRA‐related industries / companies that will locate within the Technology Park when completed are, as yet, not known.
1.11 These MIRA‐related industries / companies will have site specific travel‐related nuances that will dictate what type of measures and incentives are deliverable under the umbrella of the overarching Framework Travel Plan. It is therefore envisaged that site specific Travel Plans will be brought forward with individual occupiers as they come forward, the details of which will form an integral part of any Reserved Matters planning application.
1.12 Importantly the Framework Travel Plan not only cover employee commuting journeys but also the range of trips that employees will make during the course of the working day, visitors and guests to the MIRA Technology Park as well as servicing and deliveries.
1.13 Prior to the first occupation of any part of the MIRA Technology Park development, MIRA Limited will establish an overseeing organisation and structure to administer the Travel Plan. A key part of the organisation will be the appointment of a Travel Plan Coordinator whose role will be to ensure the successful implementation of the Travel Plan, act as a focal point for end users within the Technology Park and manage the on‐going operation of the Travel Plan. The Travel Plan Coordinator will also be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the schemes defined within the plan.
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
2. TRAVEL PLAN AIMS & OBJECTIVES
Aims
2.1 The overall aim of the Travel Plan is to effect a meaningful shift in the travel choices made by employees and visitors when travelling to and from MIRA Technology Park that will:
1. Have a positive and long‐lasting impact on the environment;
2. Promote social inclusion;
3. Improve personal health;
4. Reduce congestion and improve road safety;
5. Create a safe and accessible location for people to work in and visit;
6. Facilitate reduced capital costs related to Transport for businesses within the Technology Park.
Objectives
2.2 The aim of the MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan is supported by eleven key objectives, each of which focuses on a specific area. Details of specific actions planned within the lifetime of the Travel Plan are provided within Section 6. The key objectives are:
To develop a positive partnership approach in travel‐related matters between the occupiers of the MIRA Technology Park and key stakeholders including the local community and the Planning / Highway Authorities;
To maximise awareness and publicity of the Travel Plan and its initiatives amongst the workforce and visitors to the Technology Park through positive publicity and accessible information promoted through a range of media including the MIRA Technology Park web‐site;
To provide a facility for personalised travel planning open to all users of the Technology Park, whether staff or visitors;
To create a safe and attractive environment within MIRA Technology Park that opens up permeable routes to and through the Technology Park so as to promote the health benefits of walking, i.e. where regular exercise can assist in reducing health‐related absence and improve morale;
To deliver an attractive, safe and viable cycle network both within the MIRA Technology Park and for journeys to / from work from the neighbouring communities of Hinckley and Nuneaton, taking advantage of the proximity of the National Cycle Network Route 52 and the Weddington Country Walk;
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
To provide alternative forms of travel to the private car when moving between the various uses and buildings within the MIRA Technology Park thereby reducing reliance on the need to have a private car to fulfil this function;
To promote motorcycles and mopeds as a more sustainable alternative to travel by private car;
To maximise access to neighbouring communities and transport interchanges through the provision of an attractive, dedicated, demand‐responsive public transport system targeted at the specific operational requirements of the MIRA Technology Park;
To encourage car sharing, particularly amongst those employees that reside in proximity to each other and work compatible hours as a means of minimising travel by private car, where practically possible, and reducing the number of single occupancy trips;
To provide a balanced approach to the provision and management of parking within the Technology Park thereby ensuring that the needs of all essential users i.e. the mobility impaired, servicing and operational requirements are met whilst at the same time exercising restraint to discourage an over‐reliance on the private car;
To work closely with occupiers of the MIRA Technology Park in promoting innovation when it comes to journey time management, i.e. staggering of working hours and timing of conferences / events such that start / finish times do not coincide with peak periods of traffic on the surrounding road network.
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
3. AUDIT OF EXISTING SITE ACCESSIBILITY
3.1 Travel behaviour can, to a certain extent, be affected by the extent of infrastructure in place to encourage the use of alternative modes of travel to the car. The following sections consider the extent of public transport, walk and cycle infrastructure in the vicinity of the site.
Provision for Walk & Cycle Access
3.2 At present footway provision within the existing MIRA site is limited and in general terms pedestrians are required to share road space with vehicles when moving between the various buildings and functions on the site. It will be seen that as part of the MIRA Technology Park proposals a comprehensive network of footways and off‐carriageway footpaths are an integral element of the masterplan proposals.
3.3 A shared footway / cycleway is provided adjacent to the north‐eastern side of the A5(T) Watling Street along the frontage of the MIRA site. This footway / cycleway is of a limited width, in general no more than 2.0 metres in width, however it does provide a connection to Wood Lane, Higham Lane / Nuneaton Lane and the Weddington Country Walk, the latter being an off‐carriageway Public Right of Way (PROW) that extends southwards towards Nuneaton town centre along the track bed of a former railway line.
3.4 The Weddington Country Walk also forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 52) that extends northwards from Warwick through Coventry, Nuneaton and Coalville to link with National Route 6 just west of Loughborough. To the south of the MIRA Technology Park site NCN52 connects with the existing cycleway that runs along the Coventry Canal through the heart of Nuneaton and beyond towards Rugby and Leamington Spa as well as on‐carriageway cycleways within Nuneaton itself. To the north NCN 52 continues along quiet rural lanes connecting with the settlements of Higham‐on‐the‐ Hill and Market Bosworth.
3.5 Again facilities for cyclists within the existing MIRA site are limited however as part of the masterplan delivery of the MIRA Technology Park a comprehensive suite of measures will be provided to encourage cycle access to and within the MIRA site in the form of a network of on and off‐carriageway routes within the MIRA Technology Park, cycle parking facilities and the MIRABike proposals. External to the MIRA Technology Park infrastructure improvements will be provided along the A5(T) Watling street corridor and along the Weddington Country Walk.
Public Transport
3.6 There are currently no regular commercial bus services in the immediate proximity to the MIRA Technology Park. The nearest bus stops are located on Nuneaton Lane immediately north of the A5(T) Watling Street / Higham Lane roundabout that is some 1.25 kilometres south east of the MIRA Technology Park.
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
3.7 A shared footway / cycleway extends along the north‐eastern side of the A5(T) between MIRA Technology Park and the bus stops that would provide a credible access route for employees and other users on the site without the need to cross the A5(T). As part of the package of off‐site infrastructure improvements to be promoted through the development of the MIRA Technology Park, this footway / cycleway will be the subject of upgrading in terms of the widening together with a review of signage and lighting.
3.8 The bus stops on Nuneaton Lane are served by Centrebus Route 86 that extends from Hinckley to Nuneaton via Stoke Golding and Higham‐on‐the‐Hill. Route 86 provides an hourly frequency of service in both directions during daytime hours, Monday to Saturday. Journey time from these bus stops to Nuneaton is approximately 10 minutes and to Hinckley is approximately 20 minutes. Details of the current timetable for Route 86 are provided in Figure 2:
Figure 2 Route 86 (Hinckley – Nuneaton) – Current Timetable
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
3.9 Nuneaton Rail Station is the principal station in the vicinity of MIRA Technology Park located approximately 5.0 kilometres to the south of the site.
3.10 Nuneaton railway station is managed by the Train Operating Company, London Midland. Located on the West Coast Main Line, Nuneaton is served by an hourly Euston – Crewe London Midland semi‐fast service, which operates via Northampton and Stafford. London Midland also operate an hourly shuttle service between Nuneaton and Coventry via Bedworth. The station is well equipped with sheltered cycle storage, taxi rank, bus stop and car parking for 175 vehicles.
3.11 Peak‐time and evening service between London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street also call at Nuneaton, these services being operated by Virgin Trains. Cross Country operate two trains per hour that in a westbound direction extend to Coleshill Parkway and Birmingham New Street and in an eastbound direction extend to Leicester with an hourly service to Stansted Airport. Average journey times by direct trains to popular destinations are as follows:
Destination Journey Time Destination Journey Time
Rugby ‐ 15 mins. Milton Keynes ‐ 1hr.
1hr 20 mins.(London Midland services) 40 Coventry ‐ 20 mins. Crewe ‐ mins (Virgin services, peak hours only)
Leicester ‐ 25 mins. Peterborough ‐ 1hr 25 mins.
1hr 45mins (London Midland services, via Birmingham New Street 30 mins. London Euston ‐ Northampton) 1hr ‐ (Virgin services, peak hours only.)
Stafford ‐ 35 mins. Cambridge ‐ 2hr 15mins.
Northampton ‐ 40 mins. Stansted Airport ‐ 2hr 50 mins.
Stoke ‐ 1hr.
3.12 Hinckley railway station is managed by East Midlands Trains and provides an hourly service to Leicester in an eastbound direction and Birmingham New Street in a westbound direction. During peak hours a limited number of Cross Country between Birmingham, Cambridge and Stansted Airport also call at Hinckley.
3.13 It will be seen that as part of the MIRA Technology Park proposals, substantial investment is to be made into improving access by public transport in the form of the MIRABus facilities.
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3.14 MIRABus is a dedicated bus service targeted at the specific requirements of the MIRA Technology Park that will maximise the opportunities for employees and visitors to use public transport.
3.15 Using dedicated, branded vehicles to operate a range of demand‐responsive and timetabled services to / from MIRA Technology Park, MIRABus will link with the two major local communities, namely Nuneaton and Hinckley, from which a significant proportion of trip using this mode would originate from.
Access by Private Car
3.16 The MIRA Technology Park site is strategically located off the A5(T) Watling Street that forms part of the Trunk Road network. The A5(T) provides a strategic function in terms of its connectivity to larger settlements within the Midlands such as Leicester, Birmingham, Coventry and Nottingham through direct linkage with the M42 and M69 motorways. The A5(T) Watling Street also collects and distributes more localised traffic from the nearby towns and settlements of Hinckley, Nuneaton, Atherstone and surrounding villages.
3.17 The MIRA Technology Park is also located close to the principal County ‘A’ road network that falls within the administrative boundary of both Leicestershire and Warwickshire County Councils. The A47 to the south‐east of MIRA Technology Park connects with the key local settlements of Hinckley and Nuneaton as well as Leicester. The A444 to the north‐west of MIRA Technology Park connects with Nuneaton, Bedworth, Coventry and Burton‐upon‐Trent.
3.18 Much like large parts of the country the A5(T) and the connecting County Road network in the vicinity of the MIRA Technology Park currently experiences high volumes of traffic, particularly during weekday morning and evening peak periods that can lead to congestion.
3.19 The Highways Agency who are responsible for the Trunk Road network and the County Highway Authorities have no significant plans or funding available in the near future for infrastructure improvements on the highway network surrounding MIRA Technology Park. Any plans or funding that may become available is likely to be direct towards safety improvement measures and opposed to capacity enhancement.
3.20 By the nature of the uses within the MIRA Technology Park and its’ location the use of the private car will, for many, remain the most viable form of travel to / from work and for work‐related business.
3.21 In conjunction with the MIRA Technology Park proposals a package of phased off‐site highway infrastructure improvements is proposed that are balanced in their design such that they mitigate any impact of additional development‐related traffic from both a safety and operational perspective whilst not inducing growth in general traffic volumes.
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3.22 These off‐site highway infrastructure improvement measures will be phased such that their implementation is linked to the quantum of development that is delivered within the MIRA Technology Park over time. They are focussed on key junctions in the vicinity of the MIRA Technology Park including:
The A5(T) / A444 ‘Red Gate’ junction (conversion to an elongated roundabout);
The A5(T) / A47 ‘Longshoot’ junction (amended traffic signal control with improved pedestrian crossing facilities);
The A5(T) / A47 / B4111 ‘Dodwell’s’ roundabout (conversion to traffic signal control with through lanes for A5(T) south traffic)
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4. TRAVEL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Travel Plan Coordinator
4.1 In advance of the first occupation of the MIRA Technology Park a Travel Plan Coordinator will be appointed through the overseeing organisation established by MIRA Limited. Critical to the success of the Travel Plan is the need to ensure that the appointed Travel Plan Coordinator is an enthusiastic advocate of the Travel Plan, its aims and objectives and who will lead by example employing aptitude and innovative thinking in its promotion and implementation.
4.2 To realise ‘buy in’ from all organisations and businesses within the MIRA Technology Park, the appointed Travel Plan Coordinator will be drawn from a fairly senior position within the overseeing organisation and will take on the role on a part‐time basis with the responsibility added onto their existing role.
4.3 The Travel Plan Coordinator will be responsible for the delivery of the overall aims and objectives defined within the Travel Plan through implementation, communication, monitoring and management. Specifically the responsibilities of the Travel Plan Coordinator are as follows:
Overseeing the development and implementation of the Travel Plan and promotion of the Travel Plan through effective communication at all levels;
To obtain and maintain the commitment to the culture of the Travel Plan amongst all occupiers within the Technology Park;
Raising awareness of the Travel Plan by designing and implementing effective marketing campaigns and smart travel options to promote the Travel Plan;
To act as a focal point of contact for users and occupiers for transport and travel‐related matters within the Technology Park on a day‐to‐day basis;
To act as the point of liaison with external organisations, i.e. Council officers, the Highways Agency, transport operators etc.;
The setting up and co‐ordination of Working Group meetings;
Overseeing the update of the ‘Travel’ page on the MIRA Technology Park web‐site;
Coordination of any necessary surveys and other data collection exercises required to develop the Travel Plan;
Coordination of the monitoring programme for the Travel Plan including setting targets and review dates; and
Budget control for the development of the Travel Plan to ensure its efficient and effective use.
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4.4 The Travel Plan Coordinator will be allocated a contingency budget through the overseeing organisation to cover costs associated with the implementation, monitoring and review of the Travel Plan for a minimum period of 5 years beyond the full occupation of the MIRA Technology Park.
4.5 In addition the Travel Plan Coordinator will work with other members of the Working Group to prepare business cases for specific measures / incentives that further the development of the Travel Plan amongst individual occupiers within the MIRA Technology Park.
4.6 The Travel Plan Coordinator will draft up a contact list of nominated person(s) within the Working Group that will include details of the relevant Council officer(s), representatives of the Highways Agency and transport operators. This list would be subject to amendments and additions as the Travel Plan emerges and is implemented.
Working Group
4.7 The Working Group will be made up of senior representatives from every occupier and business within the MIRA Technology Park as well as the Travel Plan Coordinator. Each occupier and business within MIRA Technology Park will be required to allocate a Working group representative within the first three months of occupation on the site.
4.8 The primary role of the Working Group representative is to deliver and develop the Travel Plan ‘on the ground’. In addition members of the Working Group will be required to:
Provide input to the Travel Plan process and determine the programme for carrying out tasks, priorities and work programmes defined within the Travel Plan;
Take responsibility for the implementation of ‘global’ Travel Plan measures and initiatives at a ‘local’ level;
Gain the support of senior managers, staff and representatives of different departments within the individual businesses and organisations;
Seek the financial support of senior managers for any infrastructure costs associated with the implementation of Travel Plan measures;
Share site specific nuances with the wider group that will assist in tailoring the package of measures and incentives to be developed within the Travel Plan to maximise take‐up amongst colleagues;
Conduct travel surveys amongst colleagues and coordinate results for feedback into the overall Travel Plan;
Identify realistic targets based upon site specific knowledge for taking the Travel Plan forward; and
Report back to senior managers the results of Working Group meetings and any changes to the Travel Plan that may affect any individual business and organisation;
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4.9 It is recognised that sufficient time/resources will be required to be allocated to Travel Plan responsibilities to fulfil obligations related to on‐going Travel Plan operation and therefore the Working Group will meet twice annually. The Travel Plan Coordinator would then feedback matters arising from Working Group meetings as part of the review process.
Communication
4.10 The success of the Travel Plan will rely on the support of all employees, senior managers and the Working Group. The Travel Plan Coordinator will therefore need to ensure that the principles and initiatives within the Travel Plan are fully understood by all.
4.11 Through the Working Group representatives all employees within the MIRA Technology Park will be made aware of the Travel Plan and the responsibilities of the Working Group and Travel Plan Coordinator on either the implementation of the Plan itself, occupation within the Technology Park or upon commencement of employment, whichever comes first.
4.12 Details of the schemes put in place through the Travel Plan, its aims and the role of individuals in achieving its objectives will be fully explained in an initial briefing meeting. Thereafter a briefing meeting or staff focus group will be held periodically by the Working Group representative prior to the review period.
4.13 All employees and other members of the MIRA Technology Park community will be continually informed of the Travel Plan and the ongoing development of measures and incentives therein through the various media outlets. This will allow the Travel Plan to become an effective and fully functioning document that will evolve into the fabric of the MIRA Technology Park.
4.14 Promotional material, both in paper and digital formats will be used, where appropriate, to highlight the Travel Plan initiatives.
4.15 Primarily the MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan will be web‐based which will allow monitoring, updates and any further initiatives / actions to be posted. Recipients will be able to sign up for email updates where Travel Plan updates and / or modifications can be quickly relayed to all.
4.16 A web forum will also be introduced on the MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan website. The forum will provide the MIRA Technology Park community with a further information resource to ask questions about particular functions of the Travel Plan or if they have any queries or initiatives which they feel they could add to the Travel Plan process.
4.17 The web‐based initiatives will encourage the MIRA Technology Park community to become involved within the Travel Plan, understanding the importance and helping shape the evolving organic document.
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4.18 Communal areas and other strategic locations within individual buildings will also be used to clearly display Travel Plan measures and initiatives as well as information related to the Travel Plan and relevant contact details.
4.19 The promotional material will include advice on the appropriate channels for raising transport‐related matters, encouraging employees to discuss matters related to the Travel Plan with their Working Group representative or the Travel Plan Coordinator at any time during the intervening period between briefing meetings.
4.20 The Travel Plan Coordinator and the Working Group representatives will also be responsible for ensuring that all visitors to MIRA Technology Park are made aware of the full range of alternatives available when making travel choices and planning journeys through the promotion of the web‐based initiatives.
4.21 Issues arising from any communications would be reported to the Travel Plan Coordinator who would then provide a summary of the salient points arising as part of the Review Report that will subsequently be made available to Council Officers, the Highways Agency and other interested parties (as appropriate).
Scheme Administration
4.22 Administration of the Travel Plan would involve the maintenance of necessary systems, including the web‐based initiatives, data and paperwork, consultation and promotion. These duties would also include the regular updating of the Travel Plan document. In the interests of confidentiality, any correspondence or data collected for the purposes of the Travel Plan would be retained within a secure, restricted access filing system, maintained by the Travel Plan Coordinator alone.
4.23 Specifically in relation to the operation of the Travel Plan, the Travel Plan Coordinator will be required to maintain:
Correspondence File: A file would be maintained to include all correspondence relating to the on‐ going management of the Travel Plan plus meetings and general feedback from the Working Group meetings and any external communications as well as the general observations of the Travel Plan Coordinator;
Details of travel patterns: This information would be derived from the Travel Survey and would be retained for input to the review process;
Monitoring Records: Feedback from the monitoring procedures would be maintained for input to the review process;
Review Reports: Copies of historic review reports would be retained for reference purposes and for analysis of the longer term effectiveness of the Plan;
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Car Share Database (subject to the Data Protection Act): The names of those employees that are making use of the scheme plus those that have not taken up the scheme so that contact can be made on a regular basis promoting the benefits of the car sharing;
MIRABus & MIRABike Databases (subject to the Data Protection Act): The names of those employees that are making use of the schemes plus those that have not taken up the schemes so that contact can be made on a regular basis promoting the benefits of the MIRABus and MIRABike networks;
‘Incidents File’: An incidents file would be maintained to record travel related incidents.
Monitoring & Review
4.24 It is evident that the Travel Plan is an organic strategy that will evolve over time. Although the objectives of the Plan to educate and to facilitate travel by sustainable modes will not change, it may be possible over time to define or re‐define specific targets. The Travel Plan will therefore be the subject of a regular monitoring and review process, undertaken by the Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with the Working Group, to measure its success or otherwise and to identify the potential for improvements to the physical and management travel initiatives being offered.
4.25 The types of monitoring measures incorporate the collection of both ‘hard’ analytical data and ‘soft’ data in the form of general feedback and correspondence.
4.26 Travel surveys are a key element of the monitoring and review process. Within three months of first occupation all organisations and businesses within MIRA Technology Park will be required to conduct a travel survey amongst all staff. This process would be led by the appointed Working Group representative with assistance from the Travel Plan Coordinator.
4.27 The Travel Survey will establish data from individuals in respect of:
The relationship between the workplace and place of residence in terms of distance and time;
Regular and occasional modes of travel used for work‐related journeys;
Regular working hours and any requirements for out‐of‐hours working;
Special needs requirements;
Work‐related travel requirements (during working hours); and
Attitudes towards other travel arrangements that could be considered and ways in which they could be encouraged to do so.
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4.28 Travel surveys would be completed using on‐line resources such as ‘Survey Monkey’ or similar for the convenience of all employees. These on‐line resources also enable the Working Group representative and the Travel Plan Coordinator to monitor the response rate and also to collate and analyse the results.
4.29 Monitoring of the Travel Plan would include the re‐issue of the Travel Survey. Although the travel database would be regularly updated, the results from the updated Travel Surveys will offer the opportunity to gather new information about wider attitudes to travel and any changes to travel patterns that have arisen over the preceding period as a result of measures and initiatives that have been implemented.
4.30 The Travel Plan Coordinator will also be required to:
Monitor the take up of car sharing initiatives put in place;
Gather data on the usage of the MIRABus and MIRABike initiatives and any measures required to further promote these resources to maximise take up;
Monitor the management and operation of car parking;
Monitor demand for cycle and motorcycle spaces to establish demand and any requirement to increase provision; and
Record comments from the Working Group briefing meetings and any external communications.
4.31 Information gathered through the monitoring process would be recorded for input to the review process. The Travel Plan Coordinator will compile a Review Report on an annual basis throughout the life of the Travel Plan. The Review Report will incorporate the following:
Details of any changes within the development over the time period that could affect travel patterns;
An outline of the monitoring processes undertaken, as well as analysis of the results from data collection exercises in terms of performance against targets/milestones set within preceding period;
Feedback from the briefing meetings and any external communications;
Identification of corrective actions, if required, and timetable for implementation;
Details of new or revised targets/milestones and Travel Plan related activities for the following time period.
4.32 The Review Report will be made available to the key stakeholders including Council officers and the Highways Agency, free of charge.
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5. DELIVERABLE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INITIATIVES
5.1 This section outlines the type of physical and management measures to be incorporated within the Travel Plan. Implementation of the listed management measures and awareness initiatives is at the core of the Travel Plan process. As far as possible, the travel initiatives outlined are designed to be suitable for review and monitoring. However this list is not exhaustive and the Travel Plan Coordinator would be free to investigate other potential initiatives.
Walking
5.2 Measures to promote walking through the MIRA Technology Park Masterplan will have a limited effect in terms of employee trips to / from place of residence given the location of the site in relation to surrounding settlements however a suite of measures are proposed on‐site to raise awareness of the health benefits and reduce reliance on the use of the private car throughout the working day.
5.3 This will be achieved through:
The provision of a network of footways / footpaths along key movement corridors within the MIRA Technology Park to encourage people to walk between the various buildings / functions. These routes will be direct, signed, well maintained and lit (where appropriate);
The provision of on‐site, small scale leisure, retail and health / fitness facilities that people can walk to during lunchtime periods and throughout the day thereby reducing the need to travel by car to comparable facilities off‐site;
Buildings to be provided with cloakroom facilities with storage lockers etc.;
Mapping to be provided to all staff working within the MIRA Technology Park through both paper and web‐based mediums detailing safe walking routes throughout the site.
Cycling
5.4 The MIRA Technology Park Masterplan will deliver significant investment into encouraging greater use of cycling both within the site itself and for journeys to / from work from neighbouring communities, taking advantage of its proximity to the National Cycle Network Route 52.
MIRABike scheme
5.5 Some of the distances between buildings / functions within the MIRA Technology Park are such that walking is impractical. To reduce reliance on the use of a car to get between buildings / functions on‐ site, e.g. between the main area of the Technology Park on the A5 frontage and ‘trackside’ facilities on the Proving Ground, the MIRABike scheme will be introduced.
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MIRA Technology Park Travel Plan
5.6 MIRABike is similar to the Barclays‐sponsored cycle hire scheme in Central London whereby ‘stations’ will be strategically located throughout MIRA Technology Park enabling people to access bicycles for short‐term hire. The bicycles will be accessed using a swipe card or key‐pad entry (or similar) and each MIRABike station will be located in secure, lockable covered shelters.
5.7 MIRABike stations and key routes within the MIRA Technology Park will be signed and each employee will be provided with mapping to show the locations of these facilities. In addition mapping will be posted on the ‘Travel’ page of a dedicated MIRA Technology Park web‐site.
Other On‐Site Measures to Promote Cycling
5.8 All buildings within the MIRA Technology Park will be provided with secure, covered cycle parking facilities located close to the main pedestrian entrance of the building. Cycle parking will be provided in accordance with the Leicestershire County Council standards as contained within the document ‘Highways, Transportation & Development – the Leicestershire Guide’ (2005) as follows:
Employment Uses (Use Class B1(a) & B1(b)) ‐ 1 cycle space per 400m2 GFA
Hotel Use (Use Class C1) ‐ 1 cycle space per 5 rooms
Retail (local shops) (Use Class A1) ‐ 1 space per 500m2 for staff / 1 space per 1000m2 for customers
Pub / Restaurant (Use Class A3) ‐ 1 space per 500m2 for staff / 1 space per 1000m2 for customers
Health & Fitness Club (Use Class D2) ‐ 5% no. visitors at any one time
5.9 All buildings within the MIRA Technology Park will be provided with lockers, changing / drying facilities and showers for employee use.
5.10 Employers and employees will also be made aware of Government‐led incentives for bike‐loans etc. through the Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with the Working Group representative. This system encourages the employers to purchase the cycles outright, then lease them to employees for a small weekly contribution. At the end of the scheme (at the employer’s discretion) the loaned cycles can be sold to the employees at a reduced price.
5.11 Alternatively employers will be encouraged to provide interest free loans to those employees who wish to purchase cycle/cycle equipment outright. Those employees who use their own bicycles for work purposes (excluding commutes to/from work) will also be reminded that they can claim 20 pence per mile tax free.
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5.12 All cycle routes within the MIRA Technology Park will be well maintained. The Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with the Working Group representative of each individual organisation or business within the MIRA Technology Park will continuously monitor demand for cycle parking and review the need for alterations to the proposed level of provision as part of the annual review process.
5.13 The potential will also be explored by the Travel Plan Coordinator to secure the provision of a ‘bike clinic’ within the MIRA Technology Park village centre that could include maintenance facilities and the hire / purchase of cycling equipment.
Off‐Site Cycle Infrastructure Improvements
5.14 The MIRA Technology Park Masterplan will deliver substantial investment into improving off‐site cycle links to/from local communities that would be phased as development on the site is released. This comprises two key elements, namely:
Improvements to the ‘Weddington Country Walk’ cycleway – (NCN 52); and
A5 corridor improvements (between the Redgate and Higham Lane junctions).
5.15 The Weddington Country Walk is an off‐carriageway shared footway / cycleway that forms part of the National Cycle Network and runs along a former railway track bed linking the MIRA Technology Park with the residential communities to the north and west of Nuneaton. It also connects with the existing cycleway that runs along the Coventry Canal through the heart of Nuneaton and beyond towards Rugby and Leamington Spa as well as on‐carriageway cycleways within Nuneaton itself. NCN 52 also continues northwards to the east of MIRA Technology Park with links to Higham‐on‐the‐Hill and Market Bosworth using quiet rural lanes. As such the opportunities to encourage future employees who live along or close to the existing network to cycle to / from work are considerable.
5.16 The proposed improvements to the Weddington Country Walk have been worked up in consultation with SUSTRANS and the cycle officers at both Leicestershire and Warwickshire County Councils and comprise the following:
The resurfacing of the Weddington Country Walk between MIRA Technology Park and the underpass to the West Coast Main Line (Stoney Road) to SUSTRANS specification. Works to include:
The widening of the cycleway to at least 3.0 metres along its length;
The provision of 0.5m lateral clearance from all surrounding vegetation;
Aesthetically pleasing finishing material suitable for predicted usage;
Finished footway level to be higher than adjacent ground to allow for free drainage.
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The extension of the Weddington Country Walk northwards from the A5 underpass for a distance of approx. 150 metres with new connecting footway/cycleway links (to a width of 4.0 metres) to MIRA Technology Park and Wood Lane;
The construction of a new bridge over the A444 Weddington Road. Works to include:
A 3.0m wide footway / cycleway on bridge deck with central delineation;
Approach ramps to be no steeper than 1:20;
1.4m high parapet and 900mm high handrails on both sides of bridge deck;
Provision of anti‐slip / skid surfacing material on bridge deck;
Surface water drainage discharge to avoid spillage onto carriageway below;
Minimum clearance of 5.7m to carriageway of A444 Weddington Road below;
Improved ramp connections to A444 Weddington Road inc. widening to 3.0 metres.
Replacement of field‐track bridge located midway between A5 and A444 – details as above;
5.17 In addition to the above funding would be made available by way of a Section 106 Agreement for the widening of existing footpath from Weddington Junction to Church Lane to form new shared footway / cycleway.
5.18 The improved cycle infrastructure along the A5 corridor between the Redgate junction (A5 / A444) and Higham Lane junction, a total distance of some 2.9 kilometres, comprises the upgrading / widening of existing shared footway / cycleway on the northern side of the main carriageway, improved crossing facilities and signage. In detail these works comprise:
The provision of a 4.0 metre wide shared footway / cycleway along the frontage of the MIRA Technology Park;
The widening of the existing footway along the remaining length between the two junctions, outside of the MIRA Technology Park boundary to between 2.0 metres (minimum) and 3.0 metres (preferable) subject to land ownership;
Improved signage along the length of footway / cycleway inc. links to NCN52;
Improved crossing facilities at the Redgate junction and Higham Lane roundabouts in the form of dropped kerb facilities, safe storage on central islands and improved signage;
The potential closure of the A5 / Wood Lane junction (subject to further discussions with Highway Authorities).
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5.19 Figure 3 shows the extent of the proposed improvements to off‐site cycle infrastructure as described above.
Figure 3 Off‐Site Cycle Infrastructure Improvements
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5.20 Employees will be provided with mapping of key external cycle routes and on‐site cycle parking facilities as part of the package related to the MIRABike scheme. In addition these details will be posted on the ‘Travel’ page of a dedicated MIRA Technology Park web‐site.
Motorcycling
5.21 As part of the MIRA Technology Park Masterplan it is recognised that motorcycles and mopeds can offer a more sustainable alternative to travel by private car, being more space efficient in terms of parking provision and having less impact in terms of congestion.
5.22 All buildings within the MIRA Technology Park will therefore be provided with motorcycle parking located close to the main pedestrian entrance of the building in accordance with the Leicestershire County Council standards as contained within the document ‘Highways, Transportation & Development – the Leicestershire Guide’ (2005) providing 1 no. motorcycle space plus 1 space per 10 car parking spaces for each land use / building within the development.
5.23 Where feasible motorcycling parking will be covered, lit and signed as well as being located close to the main pedestrian entrances of all buildings. Motorcyclists will also be able to take advantage of the provision for lockers for storage of helmets, changing / drying facilities and showers within all buildings.
5.24 The Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with the Working Group representatives will continuously monitor demand for motorcycle parking and review the need for alterations to the proposed level of provision as part of the annual review process.
Public Transport
5.25 Under existing operating conditions the MIRA Technology Park is remote from existing commercial and subsidised bus services given its location. Through extensive discussions with public transport officers at both Leicestershire and Warwickshire County Councils it has been agreed that the most viable option in terms of maximising the opportunities for employees and visitors to use public transport will be to promote a dedicated bus service targeted at the specific requirements of the MIRA Technology Park.
MIRABus
5.26 MIRABus is the concept developed to deliver public transport access to the MIRA Technology Park. MIRABus would use dedicated, branded vehicles to operate a range of demand‐responsive and timetabled services to / from MIRA Technology Park focussed on links with the two major local communities, namely Nuneaton and Hinckley, from which a significant proportion of trip using this mode would originate from.
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5.27 MIRABus would utilise vehicles that run on alternative fuel technologies that minimise impact on the environment. The fleet of MIRABus vehicles would mainly deliver two levels of service, namely:
Morning and evening ‘peak period’ bus services to serve the primarily residential catchment areas of Nuneaton & Hinckley;
Continuous timetabled links throughout the day to Nuneaton & Hinckley railway stations – the timings of which to coincide with arrivals / departures of key rail services to these interchanges.
5.28 In addition to the above MIRABus vehicles would be available outside of morning and evening peak periods to operate on‐demand connections to other key external destinations such as East Midlands and Birmingham airports. Such a facility will be particularly beneficial in terms of transferring visitors, guests and delegates from partners overseas.
5.29 Within MIRA Technology Park a dedicated ‘hub’ will be provided for all MIRABus services adjacent to the village centre in the heart of the development. Additional stops will be provided on the main primary distributor road within the Technology Park. MIRABus stops will be provided with passenger waiting shelters, seating, lighting and timetable information.
5.30 The morning and evening peak period services would serve the key areas of resident population within both Nuneaton and Hinckley from which a substantial proportion of existing and future employees within the MIRA Technology Park reside. At present timetabled commuter services and rail‐links have been devised however a key principle of the MIRABus concept is to maximise flexibility in the form of a more demand‐responsive service that can be changed to reflect the demands / requirements of passengers.
5.31 The implementation of the MIRABus service will be phased as development within the MIRA Technology Park is released however when fully operational up to 5 no. vehicles will form the fleet. The ongoing operating costs will be met by the management structure to be put in place. It will be the decision of the operator as to whether some form of fare revenue will be taken from users to offset the ongoing running costs however any fare levied will be competitive and certainly less than the cost of a comparative car trip.
5.32 Initially two MIRABus commuter routes have been identified to serve the Nuneaton area, both of which would include stops in Nuneaton town centre and the Nuneaton railway station as part of the routing (the latter to tie in with the arrival and departures patterns of rail services).
Route N2, or Nuneaton West Commuter Link, would serve the Hartshill, Chapel End, Camp Hill and St Nicholas Park areas of the town.
Route N3, or Nuneaton South Commuter Link, would serve the Horeston Grange, Attleborough, Heath End, Stockingford and Whittleford Park areas of the town.
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5.33 Both routes N2 and N3 could deliver a timetabled 3 no. return services each (6 no. services in total) during the morning and evening peak periods with arrivals at MIRA Technology Park between 0700 and 0900 hours in the morning and departures from MIRA Technology Park between 1600 and 1800 hours in the evening.
5.34 Throughout the day, route N1 (Nuneaton Rail Link) could deliver a half‐hourly service directly between MIRA Technology Park and Nuneaton railway station (hourly service in the evenings). Route N1 would connect with arrivals and departures of rail services to key destinations such as Birmingham New Street, Coventry, Tamworth, Lichfield Trent Valley, Stafford, Rugby, Northampton, Milton Keynes Central and London Euston.
5.35 Figure 4 shows the suggested routing of the MIRABus services to the Nuneaton area.
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Figure 4 MIRABus ‐ Nuneaton
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5.36 Two commuter routes have also been identified to serve the Hinckley area, both of which would include stops in the town centre and railway station as part of the routing (the latter to tie in with the arrival and departures patterns of rail services).
Route H2, or Hinckley South Commuter Link, would serve the Sketchley, Sketchley Hill, Burbage and Hollycroft areas of the town as well as Higham‐on‐the‐Hill village.
Route H3, or Hinckley North Commuter Link, would serve the Ashby Road / Barwell Lane, Outlands Drive and Wykin areas of the town as well as Higham‐on‐the‐Hill village.
5.37 Both routes H2 and H3 could deliver a timetabled 2 no. return services each (4 no. services in total) during the morning and evening peak periods with arrivals at MIRA Technology Park between 0700 and 0900 hours in the morning and departures from MIRA Technology Park between 1600 and 1800 hours in the evening.
5.38 Throughout the day, route H1 (Hinckley Rail Link) could deliver an hourly service directly between MIRA Technology Park and Hinckley railway station (hourly service in the evenings). Route H1 would connect with arrivals and departures of rail services to Narborough, South Wigston and Leicester.
5.39 Figure 5 shows the suggested routing of the MIRABus services to the Hinckley area.
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Figure 5 MIRABus ‐ Hinckley
5.40 All employees will be provided with mapping, timetables and set down / pick up points for MIRABus services in the form of a ‘credit card’ style pull‐out format. In addition this information will be posted on the ‘Travel’ page of a dedicated MIRA Technology Park web‐site. Visitors will also have access to the internet‐based mapping and timetables and could be provided with paper copies on request when either a meeting or event is arranged.
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Use of Private Car
5.41 By the nature of the uses within the MIRA Technology Park the use of the private car will, for many, remain the most viable form of travel to / from work and for work‐related business. It is however proposed to promote a suite of measures aimed at reducing the impact of car‐related travel on the local environment and congestion on local and strategic roads in the vicinity of the site, particularly during peak periods.
MIRA2+
5.42 In conjunction with existing planning permissions and as part of the wider MIRA Technology Park masterplan a site‐wide car sharing scheme will be introduced, referred to as MIRA2+.
5.43 It is noted from a review of the home locations of existing employees that there are high concentrations of staff living close to each other in the two major local communities of Nuneaton and Hinckley and therefore the opportunities for developing the MIRA2+ car sharing scheme are substantial. This data will be continually monitored, analysed and updated as part of the Travel Survey process.
5.44 The MIRA2+ scheme will be actively promoted by the Travel Plan Coordinator and the Working Group representative amongst employees through the internet‐based ‘Travel’ page on the MIRA Technology Park web‐site. The car share scheme will promote the benefits of reduced travel costs and will seek to match employees who live near to each other and who work similar hours and patterns. Staff will also be made aware of the benefits of membership of the www.leicestershare.com and www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carshare.
5.45 In addition promotional events will be undertaken to promote the MIRA2+ scheme and raise awareness of the potential benefits in terms of reducing congestion and cost savings. To further encourage the take up of the scheme the Travel Plan Coordinator together with the Working Group representative will seek the allocation of priority MIRA2+ parking spaces close to the main entrances of buildings within MIRA Technology Park for those who choose to car share that will be clearly marked and provided with clear signage.
5.46 All employees will be encouraged to register with the MIRA2+ scheme and a comprehensive database will be set up of potential car sharers. Work would also be undertaken in conjunction with local taxi firms to provide a subsidised guaranteed ride home for those car sharers who, for reasons outside their control, are left stranded by their car share partner having to leave work early etc.
5.47 To maximise the take‐up of the MIRA2+ scheme the Travel Plan Coordinator will liaise with employers to encourage, where practicable, the co‐ordinated working hours of employees living close to each other.
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Journey Time Management
5.48 Work would be undertaken by the Travel Plan Coordinator with employers within the MIRA Technology Park to encourage, where it is practically feasible, the staggering of work hours such that the number of employees arriving / departing during the morning and evening peak periods is spread. Given the type of uses proposed within MIRA Technology Park there is the potential for non‐ administrative staff to start and finish work outside of the ‘traditional’ peak periods that would further reduce congestion on local and strategic roads in the vicinity of the site.
5.49 In addition the Travel Plan coordinator will encourage employers to introduce working practices that minimise the number of car journeys made by staff within the context of practicability and where it does not affect the core business. This would include a review of the Company policies in respect of company car leasing and associated allowances as well as opportunities for car pooling.
5.50 At the same time the Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with the Working Group representative will work closely with meeting / conference organisers to set the timing of events such that travel during the ‘traditional’ peak periods is avoided wherever possible. The provision of a hotel within the MIRA Technology Park will further assist in this regard as visitors, guests and delegates can stay overnight thereby negating the need to travel at busy times.
Car Park Management
5.51 The Travel Plan Coordinator in conjunction with he Working Group representative from each organisation or business on the MIRA Technology Park will monitor and enforce the proper use of the on‐site car parking including any priority car parking spaces for disabled people, MIRA2+ etc., the aim of which will be to enforce any restrictions that may be put in place and maximise efficiency in each of the respective parking areas.
Management of Vehicle Movement
5.52 In conjunction with the MIRA Technology Masterplan scheme proposals permanent automatic traffic counter (ATC) loops will be installed in the carriageway on the main MIRA Drive access to the site and the secondary left in / left out junction onto the A5(T) Watling Street.
5.53 The ATC loops will be used to continuously monitor traffic flows into and out of MIRA Technology Park by direction, by classification and time of day in 30 minute intervals. Details of the specification of the traffic counter loops will be submitted to and approved by Leicestershire County Council, Warwickshire County Council and the Highways Agency.
5.54 The ATC loops will be maintained, administered and monitored continuously by the Travel Plan Coordinator at no expense to the Highway Authorities for a period of at least 6 years beyond the full occupation of the site.
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5.55 Data records obtained from the ATC loops will be administered and analysed by the Travel Plan Coordinator and will be form part of the Review Report to be made available to the County Highway Authorities and the Highways Agency. The Highway Authorities will also be able to contact the Travel Plan Coordinator in the intervening period for an interim report upon written request.
5.56 Should the Highway Authorities deem that congestion on the surrounding road network is directly and regularly attributable to traffic demand from the MIRA Technology Park then the Travel Plan Coordinator will instigate a process of review and corrective steps in consultation with the Highway Authorities that would comprise:
Step 1:
A review meeting with the Highway Authorities to determine what measures can be taken to further reduce the impact of traffic generated by the Technology Park and achieve a greater take up / reinforcement of the measures and incentives included within the Travel Plan;
Step 2:
The bringing forward of the implementation of Travel Plan measures or highway mitigation measures allocated to future phases of development on the site (if problems of congestion occur during the early years of the Masterplan development);
Step 3:
The identification and implementation of additional Travel Plan measures to those already identified (should issues of attributable congestion occur toward the completion of the Masterplan development);
Step 4:
As a last resort to provide a financial contribution towards additional mitigation measures to alleviate congestion.
Personalised Travel Planning
5.57 Upon implementation of the Travel Plan or commencement of employment, whichever comes first, each employee will be provided with a Travel Information Pack, or TIP. The TIP will provide comprehensive details of the following:
Relevant contact addresses, telephone numbers and on‐line web‐sites including the local authorities, public transport operators, local cycle forums and taxi companies;
Promotional material highlighting the health benefits of walking and cycling plus details of the comprehensive network of on and off‐site safe walking and cycling routes;
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The MIRABus and other local public transport services including the location of bus stops, timetable information and the most practical routes to access these facilities;
The MIRA2+ car sharing scheme plus other measures introduced to reduce the impact of car‐borne travel.
5.58 Details contained within the TIP will be replicated on the MIRA Technology Park web‐site that will be provided with a dedicated ‘Travel’ page that will be continually monitored and updated by the Travel Plan Coordinator to ensure the information remains up‐to‐date. The Working Group representative from each organisation or business on the MIRA Technology Park will also ensure that promotional schemes plus details contained within the TIP are posted in visible, communal areas and other key locations within buildings.
5.59 Individuals do, however, have distinctive requirements, journey patterns and travel behaviour that will influence their choices in terms of whether or not various forms of sustainable travel will work for them.
5.60 In order to maximise opportunities for using sustainable modes of travel it is therefore proposed to implement a personalised travel planning service that delivers customised information to meet specific individual needs. This would be administered by the Travel Plan Coordinator as part of their overseeing role for the whole of the MIRA Technology Park.
5.61 Travel clinics would be held on a regular basis, probably within one of the venues on‐site such as the hotel and would take the form of a breakfast or lunch event. Employees would be encouraged to attend these clinics through both traditional ‘paper’ media and through the MIRA Technology Park web‐site ‘Travel’ page.
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6. TRAVEL PLAN TARGETS
Implementation & Action Timetable
6.1 In order to achieve the aims and objectives of the Travel Plan as defined within Section 2, a clear framework of targets and milestones for implementation is required against which the success of the Travel Plan can be judged. The monitoring and review programmes to be put in place will enable the progress of the Travel Plan to be checked but the progress must be assessed in the context of specific targets. These targets can take the form of short, medium and long term objectives, linked to the phased implementation of the MIRA Technology Park masterplan development proposals.
6.2 In this regard the measures and incentives outlined within the Travel Plan have been grouped in terms of the travel plan set up and mode of travel and then in terms of implementation have been broadly assigned to one of four timescales, these being:
Upon implementation of consent and up to first occupation;
Up to 30% occupation of MIRA Technology Park (anticipated to be circa. year 2015);
Up to 60% occupation (circa. year 2018); and
Up to 100% occupation (circa. year 2021).
6.3 Tables 6.1 – 6.7 provide a summary of the draft Travel Plan implementation timetable.
Table 6.1 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Travel Plan Set Up & Operation
Action Timescale
Recruit Travel Plan Coordinator Upon implementation of consent
Commence Travel Plan administration Prior to first occupation
‘Travel’ page on MIRA Technology Park web‐site Prior to first occupation and updated regularly
Upon first occupation and extended as new Set up Working Group organisations / businesses locate on‐site
Within 3 months of commencing Travel Plan – Set up on‐line Travel Survey database data analysed & reported annually
Initial Travel Plan briefing to occupants Within 3 months of occupation
Prepare Review Report Annually
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Table 6.2 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Walking
Action Timescale
Prior to first occupation – network to be extended Network of footways & footpaths within MIRA and enhanced with phased release of Technology Park development
Subject to demand generated by occupation on‐ Provision of on‐site ‘village’ facilities site – likely to be prior to 60% occupation
Provision of cloakroom / storage lockers With every building plot within the development
Mapping of footpath / footway routes made Prior to first occupation and updated regularly available to staff & visitors
Table 6.3 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Cycling
Action Timescale
Implementation of MIRABike scheme Prior to 30% occupation
With every building plot within the development – Provision of secure, covered cycle parking supply / demand to be reviewed annually
Provision of cloakroom / storage lockers & With every building plot within the development showers
Businesses to be made aware of Government‐led Implement bike loan scheme incentives upon occupation
Prior to first occupation – network to be extended Network of cycle routes within MIRA Technology and enhanced with phased release of Park development
New cycleway connection from MIRA Technology Prior to 30% occupation Park to NCN52 Weddington Country Walk
Improvements to NCN52 Weddington Country Prior to 60% occupation Walk inc. funding for connection to Church Lane
A5(T) cycleway improvements – connections to Prior to 100% occupation Redgate & Higham Lane junctions
Mapping of internal & external cycle routes made Prior to first occupation and updated regularly available to staff & visitors
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Table 6.4 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Motorcycling
Action Timescale
With every building plot within the development – Provision of secure, motorcycle parking supply / demand to be reviewed annually
Table 6.5 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Encourage Public Transport
Action Timescale
3 no. buses to be provided prior to 30% occupation Implementation of MIRABus network 5 no. buses (total) to be provided prior to 60% occupation
Mapping / timetables for MIRABus and other commercial bus services with set down / pick up Prior to first occupation and updated regularly points to be made available to staff & visitors
Table 6.6 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Measures to Reduce Reliance on Private Car
Action Timescale
Implementation of MIRA2+ scheme Upon first occupation
Provision of car parking at less than Leics CC With every building plot within the development – maximum standard supply / demand to be reviewed annually
With every building plot within the development – Provide priority parking for MIRA2+ users initial target of 10% of spaces per plot (subject to review of take up for each organisation)
Liaison with local taxi firms to provide guaranteed Upon implementation of MIRA2+ scheme ride home for MIRA2+ users at discounted rates
Liaison with organisations / businesses over journey time management measures such as Ongoing staggered working hours and timing of events outside of peak periods
Car park management Ongoing
Prior to first occupation – data analysed & Installation of ATC loops on site accesses reported annually
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Table 6.7 Travel Plan Implementation & Action Timetable – Personalised Travel Planning
Action Timescale
Provision of Travel Information Packs Prior to first occupation and updated regularly
Travel clinics Regular events – at least twice per annum
Targets
6.4 It is not until an initial Travel survey has been completed, reviewed and analysed by the Travel Plan coordinator that formal site specific modal share targets can be identified. However in the absence of such data it is not unreasonable to base initial targets on the 2001 Census of Population Travel to Work data for the local wards in the vicinity of the MIRA Technology Park.
6.5 The targets and milestones defined in Table 6.8 below are designed to be SMART (Smart, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic & Timed) and justified in the context of current Government guidance.
Table 6.8 Preliminary Targets
2001 Census Current MIRA Target – 30% Target – 60% Target – 100% Mode Travel to site Occupation Occupation Occupation Work*
Car Driver 76.5% > 90% 85% 76% 70%
Car Passenger 7.9% < 5% 5% 8% 10%
Walk 6.9% 0 1% 1% 1%
Cycle 2.6% 0 2% 4% 6%
Motorcycle 1.2% < 2% 1% 2% 2%
Public Transport 4.2% 0 5% 8% 10%
Other (inc. Taxi) 0.7% 0 1% 1% 1%
* Ambien, Weddington & Hartshill Wards
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