New guide launched to help people get on board with transport planning

Hereward Community Rail Partnership, in collaboration with CrossCountry, launched the  Transport Planning Guide for Local Communities (PDF) [1MB] today (Monday, January 9) to explain the transport planning processes and the part everyone can play.

Cllr Chris Seaton, Chairman of Hereward Community Rail Partnership and Fenland District Council portfolio holder for transport, said: "Transport planning is about ensuring people can get to workplaces, shops, leisure facilities, vital services and other places they want to go.

"It includes all modes of transport from pedestrian routes to road and rail. Good transport planning is of vital importance for quality of life and the prosperity of an area. It has a daily impact on businesses and individuals.

"The Transport Planning Guide for Local Communities demystifies the process and encourages everyone to get involved and share their vital local knowledge.

"We'd like to thank all our partners who collaborated to produce this excellent guide."

As well as supporting individuals to get involved in transport planning, the guide is intended to be a tool for community representatives including parish and town councillors.

Hereward Community Rail Partnership is a partnership of local councils, train operators, railway user groups, station adoption groups and local residents who look after the Hereward Line in Fenland. Fenland District Council is lead partner.

CrossCountry's Community Engagement Fund, which is run by the CrossCountry train operator to benefit community projects, funded the guide with a £2,000 award.

It was produced by Cambridgeshire ACRE, an organisation that works to support rural communities to remain vibrant.

John Robson, CrossCountry Regional Director East Midlands & East Anglia, said: "Good transport planning is essential and can have a positive impact on our daily lives in our local areas and our overall quality of life.

"Local transport planning can be complex, so it is important that the issues involved are understood by communities so they can help influence the transport systems provided in their locality.

"CrossCountry are delighted to support Hereward Community Rail Partnership in their aims to promote greater usage of the railway network and other means of sustainable transport, including local buses, cycling and walking."

Alison Brown, of Cambridgeshire ACRE, said: "As a charity we were pleased to use our expertise to support the development of this vital guide for rural communities.

"The guide provides a good starting point for parish councils and volunteers when considering the challenges and opportunities faced when planning for sustainable transport solutions. 

"Local knowledge of their residents' travel needs coupled with an understanding of transport planning policy will ultimately provide for better access to services, work and leisure activities for people across Fenland.

"We look forward to using this guide to support our work with rural communities in the future."

View: Transport Planning Guide for Local Communities (PDF) [1MB]  

January 2023