CIHT today (23 January 2018) launches the ‘Buses in Urban Developments’ guidance at an event in Britannia Walk, London. This guidance builds on CIHT’s existing body of ‘Streets and Transport in the Urban Environment’ guidelines in addressing how bus services can be placed at the heart of development planning and urban transport.
Designed to inform professionals involved in urban policymaking, master planning, development management and transport planning, this 50-page guideline supports the Bus Services Act 2017 by providing practical advice on measures that local authorities can put in place to support the provision of bus services. This CIHT guidance is aligned with the objectives of the Bus Services Act 2017 in creating a simpler and cost-effective route to franchising.
Andreas Markides, President, CIHT said:
“Buses play a vital part in providing accessibility for everyone and, through their efficient use of space, in supporting the viability of high quality urban places. For buses to play their full role, urban developments must be designed specifically to encourage their use. This involves bringing together the planning of land uses, the access routes to bus stops, and the bus infrastructure. Showing how this can be done is the unique contribution of ‘Buses in Urban Developments’.”
In the CIHT document ‘Buses in Urban Developments’ the following points are highlighted:
- Further recognition that high quality buses services should be integral in the urban fabric. This requires a coordinated approach to support this, starting from the governing spatial plan to the development management regime and local transport policies.
- Industry has an opportunity to learn from examples where bus operators and developers have worked effectively in partnership with local authorities to ensure good bus services across the UK.
- A need for recognition that high quality bus services are an essential part of an integrated approach to sustainable urban transport. By designing developments that support buses, the potential of urban developments can be more fully realised.
- Evidence shows that high quality bus services attract high levels of use. This leads to a win-win situation with improved urban environments promoting economic success.
Notes to editors
Buses in Urban Developments
Broken into four easy to access sections, ‘Buses in Urban Developments’, Tim Pharoah, Transport and Urban Planning Consultant, Principal Author, takes account of the latest work on street design practice including up-to-date reports and toolkits including: ‘Accessible Bus Stop Design Guidance’ TfL, 2017; ‘A Study of the Value of Local Bus Services to Society’, Task III Technical Report: Econometric Analysis, 2016, Institute of Transport Studies, University of Leeds for Greener Journeys; ‘Bus Services and New Residential Developments General Highways and Urban Design advice to applicants and Highways Authorities’ Stagecoach UK BUS, 2017 and ‘Local Bus Market Study’, KPMG, 2016 (engaged by DfT).
The Bus Services Act 2017
Provides Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) with significant London-style powers to franchise local services. These powers are designed to allow local authorities to specify the bus services in an area to meet passenger requirements. Local authorities have the opportunity to work with bus operators to provide integrated service networks with coordinated timetables, ticketing and branding.
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