A £4million scheme to improve transport options for Wokingham results has been hailed as a success after delays on one of the borough’s busiest roads has gone down by 5%.
Wokingham Borough Council said that The My Journey Wokingham project has seen residents embrace new travel habits and stick with them, as well as generating income for the council and saving £400,000 in sick leave.
The £2.75million project was funded by central government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund to support a range of sustainable transport measures, between 2012 and 2015. Local funding contributions of £1.05million were added to this. It was extended until the end of this month with an additional grant from the Department for Transport.
Results for the three-year project were released by the council last week.
It focuses on the project which included the improvement of traffic signals and junctions on the A329 Reading Road, upgrades to cycling and walking facilities, bus stops updated, and local people given personalised travel plans and hundreds more bike maintenance training.
The council says that more than half of those taking part say they are walking more than before; think twice about using their cars, and actively consider other options. Two thirds say they now know more about green travel choices in the borough.
The number of people using the A329 cycleway has increased by 17%, while a new Lower Earley Cycleway is now used by thousands of cyclists.
On the A329, 10 new bus stops have been installed offering real-time information screens showing residents how long until the next bus is due.
Elsewhere, on Thames Valley Park cycling has increased by 4%. A commuter challenge inspired some 150 staff from 24 organisations across the borough make 3,400 cycle journeys; saving four tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
New local business travel network easitWOKINGHAM now has 40 company members offering benefits to more than 8,000 workers across the borough.
“These figures speak for themselves,” said Cllr John Kaiser, executive member for planning and highways. “People have embraced new travel habits and are sticking with them. But better health, a fuller wallet and cleaner environment are only part of the picture.
“My Journey Wokingham has delivered a return of £3.60 for every £1 spent. For vehicles travelling through the borough on the A329 journey delays have gone down by 5 per cent, and bus users have increased 14 per cent.
“More cycling and walking means less sick leave and almost £400,000 will be saved from reduced staff absence.”
