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Consultation launched on Draft Leicester Transport Plan and Workplace Parking Levy

Consultation launched on Draft Leicester Transport Plan and Workplace Parking Levy

Leicester City Council is consulting on a new Draft Leicester Transport Plan which sets out the Council’s transport vision, ambitions and priorities for the city over the next 15 years. The council is also exploring the potential role a workplace parking levy could play in supporting delivery of the transport plan and initial thinking is also being consulted on.

A new Transport Plan for Leicester is needed to respond to the many issues facing the city including enabling city economic and population growth, tackling climate emergency and air quality challenges, improving health and physical activity levels and recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The draft plan proposes a big step forward for public transport, cycling and walking in the city. It focuses on three main areas: developing connected main transport corridors and stations, improving transport within local neighbourhoods and managing demand for car use.

The Leicester Transport Plan recognises that many journeys begin or end outside the city boundaries and considers transport matters that impact on the wider Leicester Urban Area.

The plan sets out transport ambitions over the period to 2036:

100% zero emission vehicles
More people regularly working from home and more responsible use of cars for necessary trips only
Public transport, park and ride, cycling or personal e-mobility will be the first choice for longer journeys for most people.
Active transport, cycling and walking will be the first choice for shorter journeys for most people
A thriving, accessible city centre that is easy to move around in and supports economic growth in the whole city
Healthier neighbourhoods, aiming for all local services to be available by walking or cycling within 15 minutes, with cleaner air and a safer local environment
A rush-hour free city, gradually managing traffic to reduce peak hour demands

Key transport plan projects include:

‘Greenlines’ cross city public transport network
The development of a high quality zero-emission express ‘Greenlines’ bus transport network. A first phase has recently seen the introduction of new electric buses on the city’s three park and ride sites.

Active Travel – Cycling and Walking
The expansion of existing infrastructure to deliver a world class citywide network of safe and attractive routes to meet the growing demand for walking and cycling across Leicester. This will build on the Connecting Leicester work already carried out to create extensive walking and cycling routes and the launch of the Santander Cycles Leicester scheme, which includes 500 electric bikes for hire.

Leicester Railway Station Transformation
The transformation of Leicester Railway Station to deliver high quality passenger facilities and a fit for purpose regional rail hub. Investment in the railway station is a key element of city centre economic recovery plans, helping to create jobs and encourage further investment.

Initial thinking on the potential role of a future Workplace Parking Levy to help deliver key transport projects in Leicester is also outlined in a partner consultation document to the Local Transport Plan. Following this initial stage of consultation a formal consultation on a detailed Workplace Parking Levy business case is expected later this year.

We are very keen to hear your views on our plans and how you think we can improve transport in the city. The consultation will close on Friday 17th September 2021.

To view the consultation documents and take part in the online consultation, please view: https://consultations.leicester.gov.uk

If you would like to discuss the new transport plan for Leicester, a virtual meeting can be arranged. Please contact: transport.strategy@leicester.gov.uk

We will consider all the information from this consultation and your feedback which will help us work towards developing the final transport plan that reflects the views of residents, business and other stakeholders in the wider community.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew L Smith

Director of Planning, Development and Transportation

Leicester City Council

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