The strategy aims to create a city where it is easy, convenient and safe to walk, cycle and travel on public transport and where people can use a range of transport options, appropriate to their journey.
Changing the way people travel in Coventry will help the Council achieve long-term goals such as creating a greener, environmentally-friendly city, reducing inequalities, increasing economic prosperity and supporting health and wellbeing.
To achieve these objectives Coventry needs to embrace new technology and new forms of transport.
Work included in the Strategy includes making substantial improvements to the city’s public transport network, including establishing a Coventry Very Light Rail system and making improvements to existing rail and bus services.
The Council will also create a better, safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists, including building a network of segregated cycleways and further pedestrianisation of the city centre and other local centres.
Other work will see a push to accelerate the use of zero emission vehicles, including establishing a fully electric bus fleet and bringing in more charging points for electric vehicles. There will also be targeted improvements to the city’s road network to cope with demand following new developments and to address hot-spots for congestion and pollution.
Adopting new technology will see work to explore the potential for drones to be used to transport people and goods.
There will also be talks with local schools and businesses to help people change their thinking and behaviour and incentives to make sustainable travel choices.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “The way we travel has to change – for the sake of the city, its people and the environment.
“Our city is growing, and we are attracting more businesses and jobs. We also know that we need to urgently address the issue of climate change. This means we have to plan now for changes so we can create a city fit for the future.
“We need to improve our roads, but we also need to innovate to ensure people can continue to travel in ways which do less harm to the environment. That’s really what our ambition for a gigafactory is about and why we are pioneering Coventry Very Light Rail.
“This Strategy represents a massive step forward towards meeting our goals in those areas and it will change the lives of all who work, live and study in our city – and those who visit. It will make us a truly modern city.
“We are rightly proud of our heritage as the home of the British motor industry, but now it is time for us to pioneer new ways of travel and to once again use our kills and innovation to revolutionise transport.”
The Strategy has been created following a full public consultation and has been adapted to meet the views of local people, organisations and businesses.
It involves projects such as:
- Tile Hill station improvements and potential new rail stations
- Increased rail services to Nuneaton, Leamington and Kenilworth, and new direct services to Leicester and Nottingham
- Improved bus services
- An all-electric bus fleet
- A park and ride at Ansty
- The completion of Binley and Coundon cycleways
- New cycleways to the University of Warwick and in Foleshill, Keresley, Eastern Green and other areas
- The expansion of cycle hire and (depending on national changes to legislation) e-scooter rental
- A new link road through the planned Sustainable Urban extension in Keresley and a link road from the A46 to the west of Coventry
- Improvements at the M6 Junction 3
- More use of Average Speed Cameras
- Freight consolidation centres
- An all-electric taxi fleet and more public charging points
The Strategy will be considered by councillors at Cabinet on 15 November and will be available to view in full on the Council website.
