Transport East

📣 Catch up on some of this week's travel and transport news ⤵ The shared public transport service, DigiGO, has a new booking number. The service provides on-demand or pre-bookable travel in parts of Essex. Along with the new number, phone line opening hours have increased to make the service even more accessible: https://lnkd.in/e3xQ4zrC | Essex County Council Norfolk and Suffolk community volunteers win recognition for helping to care for rail stations. During Greater Anglia's annual Station Adoption Awards, the best achievements of the last 12 months from amongst its 330-strong team of volunteer station adopters were formally recognised.: https://lnkd.in/epJziAuS

As part of our decarbonisation goals, we work in partnership with the East's Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) to support the rollout of publicly available electric vehicle charging points. Our latest study, REVEAL (Regional Electric Vehicle Strategy Evaluations, Action Plans and Learnings) outlines how the number of electric vehicles owned, and the number of charging points available, has increased in each LTA. The study also provided transport officers with further insight and opportunities to support and accelerate the rollout of charging points across the East's LTAs. Learn more about REVEAL and read the report, here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/dPF6umVn

📣 Some of latest travel and transport from the East ⤵ Greater Anglia announces formation of new Ipswich to Cambridge Community Rail Partnership: https://lnkd.in/gPazxRqz   Residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to have their say on updated designs of an ambitious £9m revamp for Dovercourt town centre. The scheme will see road and public realm improvements from Dovercourt railway station to Kingsway: https://lnkd.in/e-PS4AAJ | Tendring District Council

During September, the government ran a consultation on revising the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) designed to facilitate sustainable growth in the planning system. The proposed NPPF reforms aim to support the Government’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million new homes by implementing a standard method for assessing housing needs. Transport and land-use planning are tightly linked. Transport East welcomed the consultation as it provides the opportunity to influence the delivery of sustainable transport as an integral part of future economic and housing development. This is essential if the region and country are to achieve sustainable growth and net zero emissions by 2050. A summary of our response is available here ⤵ https://lnkd.in/gmMaYCCz

📣 This week's roundup of travel and transport news ⤵ The Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom announced more than £14 million in joint government and industry funding to provide more parking for HGVs, better conditions for lorry drivers and support UK businesses to take advantage of the latest technology. BP Thetford West Service station in Norfolk is set to receive some of this funding: https://lnkd.in/eyKHm4RU   Suffolk County Council residents are being encouraged to share views on new Local Transport Plan. A newly-developed plan which details the long-term vision for transport in Suffolk has been launched as part of a county-wide consultation this week: https://lnkd.in/e5fEZXP2   Local car parks to get a boost with new electric vehicle chargers. The Guineas Shopping Centre car park in Newmarket will have a total of four dedicated EV charging bays: https://lnkd.in/ejyA47uY | West Suffolk Council

We're excited to be speaking at Highways UK next week! Esme Yuill, Head of External Affairs, will be be part of a panel discussion on Thursday looking at how we get public transport working for everyone, and will be showcasing insights from our Rural Mobility Centre of Excellence. If you’d like to connect with Esme during the event, feel free to reach out to her directly on LinkedIn.

Thank you to CILT (UK) for speaking to Sharon Payne - our Regional Rural Mobility Manager - about our work in rural mobility, behaviour change and sustainable transport solutions! In the interview, Sharon discusses the differences between rural and urban transport planning, how our work as the East's Sub-national Transport Body supports national ambitions and the crucial role of engagement to identify the right transport solutions. You can read the interview here: https://lnkd.in/eP9qzSDH

⚡ Our latest EV study highlights the progress of Local Transport Authorities’ (LTA) to rollout EV charging infrastructure across the region, which plays a part in decarbonising transport and supporting net zero ambitions. The study shows that during 2023: ➡ The number of publicly available charging points increased from 1,304 to 1,865, an increase of 561 (43%) ➡ The number of privately owned EV’s in the East increased from 32,300 to 46,800. An increase of 561 (45%) The report also provides each LTA with recommendations to accelerate the rollout of charging infrastructure, helping to meet previously identified EV uptake projections. Find out more about REVEAL and access the report here: https://lnkd.in/euqW2NDp Want to learn more about our work in EV charging points? Visit our website and explore how we're supporting the transition to electric vehicles: https://lnkd.in/ghBbygZj England's Economic Heartland | Cenex

📣 This week's roundup of the East's transport travel and transport news ⤵ Improved cycling links proposed for Mile Cross in Norwich. The proposed route would provide safe cycle access linking North Norwich with the Marriott's Way, which provides direct traffic-free connections to the city centre and beyond: https://lnkd.in/eZze92Q9 | Norfolk County Council | Norwich City Council A consultation has opened on a new walking and cycling route in Brentwood. The scheme, a new one mile long shared-use walking and cycling path, will run along the A1023: https://lnkd.in/eFhJ7z6b | Essex County Council | Brentwood Borough Council Mid Suffolk councillors are considering a new measures to support Stowmarket town centre, enhance the street scene and improve the quality of life for residents. The report outlines the need to further improve walking and cycling, and increasing connectivity to the outskirts of Stowmarket and surrounding villages: https://lnkd.in/eRgm8P6q | Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils

📰 The latest issue of our monthly newsletter is now available! In this edition catch up on: ▪ Our attendance at party conferences ▪ MPs urged Government to back Ely and Haughley rail upgrades ▪ Our response to the government’s Bus Bill announcement ▪ And much more!