1. 1 What are Mobility Plan Networks? Research from the OPTIMUM 2 project Sophie Tyler – University of Westminster COMMERCE Induction Seminar Chelsea Football Club London 2-4 June 2008

2. 2 Background to OPTIMUM 2 EU INTERREG IIIB Project 2004 – 2008 9 partners from UK and Netherlands London Borough of Southwark was a partner Researched setting up “local travel plan groups” (Mobility Plan Networks) as way to implement mobility plans more effectively

3. 3 Mobility Plans: Motivations for Government Transport is a mess. To address it… Huge amount of investment needed. All pain no gain over next decade – tax, disruption, uncertainty Shortage of skills (in the UK at least) – due to a culture of Government not spending money Politically unpopular to restrict mobility – most cost effective way of addressing crisis

4. 4 Mobility Plans: Motivations for employers Solve transport problems Solve space problems To get planning permission Save money Enhance company image Because it is told to do so

5. 5 Mobility Plans: The barriers Companies’ self interest and internal organisational barriers Lack of regulations pushing travel plans Personal taxation and commuting issues Poor alternatives (especially public transport) Lack of examples Lack of resources

6. 6 Benefits of Mobility Plan Networks 1.Achieve more than single employers (e.g. due to pooled resources delivering higher investment, dedicated staff and greater political influence) 2.Improve communication between sectors (e.g. business and local government) 3.Help ensure that transport objectives are met in ways that maximise the benefits for businesses, residents and commuters 4.Support smaller employers 5.Encourage the exchange of information and expertise

7. 7 Determining different MPN types Does the network have a formal structure? Does the network have a management organisation? Is the network in a clearly defined area? Is it local authority led/supported/regulated? Does the network have a transport focus? Is it controlled by its members? Is it business funded?

8. 8 Individual Organisation Individual organisation delivers mobility plan Transport is not the only issue it deals with, and is often not a core competence Funding and resources provided by the organisation Local authority may provide financial or technical support, or act as the regulator if the mobility plan is compulsory

9. 9 Development Zone Clearly defined area with multiple organisations A formal relationship exists between the landlord and the tenant organisations Landlord or site management organisation likely to take the lead in developing the mobility plan Transport is not the only issue dealt with Funding and resources provided by the landlord or ad hoc contributions from tenants Local authority may provide financial or technical support, or act as the regulator if the mobility plan is compulsory

10. 10 Area Based Group Group of organisations located within neighbourhood with common transport interest Informal structure, member organisations have equal role Members produce individual mobility plans, but co- operate on initiatives and share information and ideas Group formed specifically to deal with transport issues Funding and resources contributed for some joint initiatives by the member organisations Local authority may provide financial or technical support, or help to co-ordinate the group

11. 11 Business Improvement District Partnership between local authority and businesses, formed to deliver improvements in a specific area Formal structure controlled by member organisations BID established by the local authority and a private BID company is formed to manage it Transport is not the only issue it deals with, but it may be possible to establish a transport sub-group Funding is available from levy on member businesses, and distributed by the BID company Local authority may provide financial or technical support

12. 12 Transport Management Association Private, non-profit organisation, formed to deliver improvements in a specific area Structure is formal, and it is controlled by member organisations Transport is the only issue it deals with Funding is available from membership fees, paid to the TMA Local authority may provide financial or technical support, or act as the regulator if the mobility plan is compulsory

13. 13 Transportation Management District A clearly defined area in which all businesses are legally required to produce mobility plans The local authority controls the group and provides co-ordination Transport is the only issue it deals with The businesses fund their own mobility plans, to achieve legal compliance Local authority provides financial and technical support, and also acts as the regulator

14. 14 Conditions for setting up Mobility Plan Networks Location: Area changing? New developments? Lots of transport problems? Transport data available? Active local business organisation: Existing business network? Informal links? If not up to date business database? Alternatives to the car: Good public transport? Cycling & walking potential? Car sharing possible?

15. 15 Matching the right type of group Business or retail park with single landlord? – Development Zone Lots of small businesses no obvious clusters? – Area based group Existing BID (or pilot BID)? - Business Improvement District Totally new area attracting large businesses? – Transport Management Organisation

16. 16 Process of setting up a MPN Identify a lead business organisation(s) Make business case for setting up network Create right conditions for partnership between network and local authority Consult with potential network members & research area conditions Build momentum – organise launch event Agree network’s objectives Organise travel survey Develop and implement appropriate measures

17. 17 Some advice… It takes longer than you think! Allow at least 6 months for initial preparation. 6 months to set objectives. Don’t force a structure onto businesses. Let them decide. You can move from area based group to more formal TMA. Think about how network will be coordinated. Might work better if not done by local authority Quality communication is all Be flexible and ready to take up opportunities as they come Don’t ask for business’ funding until they have seen benefits of group in practice BUT you can ask for “contributions in kind”

18. 18 Acknowledgements Dr Marcus Enoch Loughborough University Lian Zhang (formerly of Loughborough University) Helen Pearce and Che Sutherland (formerly of SEA-Renue) Diana Bunyan and Simon Bevan, London Borough of Southwark Giles Semper, Better Bankside Conrad Haigh, Transport for London