In this review we focus on the implications of the UK Government’s new Better Connected Integrated Transport Strategy for urban and rural communities. The Strategy sets the direction for a more joined-up transport network that works better for passengers, drivers and communities across England. Of course, at the People & Places Partnership, we are going…
It was a great opportunity for me to be asked the address the role of parking in welcoming places by the organisers of the North East Parking Show. From many of years of encouraging greater collaboration between parking and place managers, I still perceive a gap in the understanding between these two sectors, despite their…
This Best Practice Guide to Community Consultation and Engagement comprehensively defines the necessary standards and processes that as part of designing and delivering active travel schemes. It is probably more pitched at improving the techniques of transport planners than refining the approaches of experienced community engagement professionals. Stakeholder groups The guide defines stakeholder groups who…
Faced with frequent calls from businesses and customers for free parking in towns centres, I often liken it to expecting a free coffee in a town centre cafe. Yes, that might be welcomed though what would the coffee be like and would the cafe stay open for long? Here I look a little more in…
A comprehensive biennial study published last week provides a key focus for understanding city centre active travel trends and how we can boost opportunities for people to visit and enjoy the U.K. and Ireland’s High Streets. The UK Walking and Cycling Index aggregated report was published by Sustrans at the end of March. It helps inform…
If I was writing a manifesto for the future of town and city centres, what would I put in it? I think I’d call it “places for people” and focus on how to get more smiling faces in our town centres. 2024 is a year of many impending national elections. I’d aim my manifesto as…
Place leaders often want to know about the options for improving parking for businesses and customers, though do not know where to go for objective and affordable advice. That was part of the thinking behind the People & Places Partnership combining forces and vocabulary with Park Consult, to devise the People, Places & Parking…
Tote bags and bright logos are fine. We just prefer an approach to branding that gets beneath the skin of a place to create a much deeper and broader appreciation of town revitalisation. Local pride and visitor appeal Here we look at the role of branding that gets ‘beneath the skin’ of a place as…
It is important for local authorities to take a broad perspective on the place of parking in town centres. That was my message in recently addressing council members and officers at a Local Government Association event on parking and high streets. My thought was to challenge participants to think beyond the silos of their own…
In publishing the UK Walking and Cycling Index, Sustran’s aim is to support leaders of cities and towns to understand and improve “walking, wheeling and cycling” across the UK and Ireland. Coming on the back of major government announcements aimed at boosting sustainable travel, we look at the active travel trends for place leaders to…