Providing Green Transport Options

How we are addressing this issue:

Transport was responsible for 25% of the UK's carbon emissions in 2010¹ and a carbon foot-printing study that we commissioned found that transport choices can contribute as much to a household's carbon footprint as the energy used in the home. Vehicle fumes have also been linked with respiratory problems, and obesity and poor health are increasing as people exercise less and use their cars more. We can help to reduce transport emissions in two ways:

• Firstly we can locate new developments close to public transport nodes.
• Secondly we can provide low-carbon modes of transport to our residents.

This joint approach enables residents to reduce their transport related carbon emission through the choices available on the development.

The majority of our developments provide transport initiatives which focus on local needs. For example, at our Parkwest development in the London Borough of Hillingdon we are working to address impacts by providing residents with:

• Personalised Green Travel Plans
• A cycle hire club
• A dedicated travel coordinator
• Cycle vouchers for new home owners
• Secure cycle storage
• A car club which hires a hybrid vehicle

During 2009/10 we also commissioned research to update the 21st Century London Living Travel Research Survey, which was first undertaken in 2003. This research has found that there has been a significant shift on our developments to more sustainable forms of transport, and that average car ownership levels are lower. The survey makes a major contribution to aiding the understanding of travel habits and will be distributed to local authorities and other key stakeholders to help understanding of transport use at new developments. 

Our performance:

In 2010/11:

• 100% of our developments submitted for planning committed to providing cycle storage facilities for all residents.
• 100% of homes submitted for planning committed to providing home working facilities.
• 100% of the developments submitted for planning were within 1km of a public transport node.

Our Vision2020 commitments and ambitions:

As part of delivering Vision2020 we have set specific objectives for continuing to ensure that we provide our developments with sustainable transport options.

Our commitments from May 2011:

• Locate all developments within 1km of a public transport node
• Provide cycle storage on all developments
• Provide home office working facilities in all homes

Our ambition from May 2012:

• Provide electric car charging points in all communal car parks

Case studies:

Proposed Crossrail station at Royal Arsenal Riverside

An example of our commitment to reduce transport related emissions is the planned construction of a Crossrail station at our Royal Arsenal Riverside development in Woolwich. This new train line, due to open in 2017, is expected to revolutionise travel between the East and West of London, bringing improved quality of access across the city through new tunnels under London. With this new service, journeys from Woolwich to the Isle of Dogs will take around 8 minutes, while Heathrow will be just 50 minutes away. It is thought that this station will bring considerable social and economic benefits to the area, providing access to jobs and leisure activities.

Creating transport opportunities on the River Thames

The River Thames is a valuable resource that provides a more unusual and exciting opportunity for transportation. At our riverside residence of St George Wharf, a pier is currently being constructed that will provide inhabitants with access to an additional mode of transport and a new way to experience London. Construction is due to be complete in September 2011.

Additionally, at our Royal Arsenal Development, the Thames Clipper provides public river transport while at Grosvenor Waterside, the harbour provides residents within the opportunity to enjoy time on the river. 

A new station for London at Imperial Wharf

On the 30 September 2009, we were delighted to open Imperial Wharf station, which is adjacent to our Imperial Wharf development. The area had previously been poorly served by public transport and the opening of this station allows local residents easier access to the Underground at West Brompton as well as a wide range of local and national rail services from Clapham Junction. Travel time between Imperial Wharf station and the new Westfield Shopping Centre at Shepherds Bush is just nine minutes. The station is already being well used. On 1st October 2009 a survey by Transport for London showed that 945 people a day were using the station. Six months later we commissioned a travel consultant to undertake a further survey, which showed its use had increased to 2,461 people.

¹ Department of Energy and Climate Change Statistical Release, March 2011