Scenario 6: Sustainable Transport

This option would mean delivering development in locations along existing and potential high frequency public transport, walking and cycling routes. It draws on the broad objectives of Gloucestershire County Council as the body responsible for managing road and public transport networks. The Local Transport Plan in particular, promotes sustainable travel. Development under this scenario would need to be integrated in, or linked to, existing high frequency bus routes, Gloucestershire cycle spine and the proposed Gloucestershire Mass Rapid Transport system, which is a longer-term aspiration. Furthermore, all the local authorities in Gloucestershire have agreed a Statement of Shared Intent to in principle to reduce carbon emissions from transport in line with science-based targets to achieve net zero ambitions by 2050.

Adopting a sustainable transport strategy as part of the SLP would therefore mean prioritising new sites for housing and economic development in locations which would maximise people’s choice to travel by means other than the car to access services, facilities and jobs. This would also tend to reduce the need to travel at all and would help reduce carbon emissions.

As with all options, this includes the urban capacity within Gloucester and Cheltenham as a starting point.