The transport sector is accountable for 30% of the city's total emissions and is an area which requires a major change in public behaviour if we are to achieve our 2030 target.
There is a requirement to rapidly increase the rate at which emissions are reduced based on current trends. Electric vehicles and charging points hold the key to the transformation of mobility.
Net zero essentially requires all cars and vans driving in Plymouth to be electric and the provision of the corresponding charging infrastructure. At the end of 2021, there were 283 electric vehicles registered in Plymouth. Reducing emissions from larger commercial vehicles and HGVs also needs to be considered.
The need to accelerate the rate of reduction from transport emissions is well reflected by the scale and scope of actions included in this year's plan. Increasing the sustainable travel options available for the city is a thread which links all the following mobility actions. Supported by the Transforming Cities Fund, 2022 will continue to see design and installation work commence on several key sites in the city. These improvements will be made alongside expanding the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the city, and removing barriers to allow people to walk and cycle.
3.25 - Complete the Southway to Plymbridge walking and cycling scheme.
3.26 - Complete the continuation of the off-road Eastern Corridor walking and cycling route to Colesdown Hill.
3.27 - Complete construction of the Derriford Community Park cycle paths.
3.28 - Commence the delivery of the Coronation Avenue Scheme to promote walking and cycling within Central Park.
3.29 - Continue work on the Dockyard to City and St Budeaux to Docks cycle schemes.
3.30 - Continue development of St Budeaux Station's Sustainable Transport Interchange.
3.31 - Commence delivery of the Woolwell to the George Transport Improvement Scheme, which will deliver an extension to segregated walking and cycling facilities along Plymouth's Northern Corridor.
3.32 - Continue development of transport improvements along Royal Parade to enhance sustainable transport in the city centre and commence construction of preferred design.
3.33 - Continue development of transport improvements on Mayflower Street that will create more space for waiting passengers and arriving buses using both Royal Parade and Mayflower Street and commence construction of preferred design.
3.34 - Commence construction of the St Budeaux to Crownhill sustainable transport corridor.
3.35 - Commence construction of the Transforming Cities flagship Mobility Hubs, which will offer a low carbon multi-modal network for travel throughout Plymouth.
3.36 - Continue development of the Plymouth Station access project to promote low-carbon forms of transport and facilitate pedestrian access between the station, the university and the city centre.
3.37 - Continue to roll out the Healthy Streets Assessments of selected city centre streets to promote better integration of public health, transport and planning in the design of streets to make them more people focussed.
3.38 - Complete the Old Town Street/New George Street public realm scheme, creating high quality walking and cycling routes through the city centre to facilitate a higher proportion of journeys by sustainable modes.
3.39 - Commence construction of the Civic Square public realm scheme, creating high quality walking and cycling routes through the city centre.
3.40 - Complete design work on the Armada Way public realm scheme, creating more opportunities for walking and cycling routes through the city centre.
3.41 - Continue to expand the Local Cycling and Walking Implementation Plan by another five routes.
3.42 - Undertake a car free day to support residents to walk, cycle and use public transport, rather than the car, for regular journeys they make.
3.43 - Continue to support up to 30 local businesses to develop facilities for active travel through Workplace Travel Grants.
3.44 - Continue to bid for Department for Transport funds to deliver active travel schemes.
3.45 - Deliver tranche 3 of the Active Travel Fund to provide additional high quality walking and cycling facilities at up 10 locations in the city, delivering improved pedestrian and cycle crossings and routes.
3.46 - Deliver a feasibility study on how the Plymouth Health Sector can link to the Council's wider walking and cycling programmes through a social prescription programme.
3.47 - Secure Mini Holland project funding in order to deliver a feasibility study considering how Plymouth Communities can be designed to facilitate greater levels of walking and cycling and less reliance on the private car.
3.48 - In response to the National Bus Strategy, develop a Bus Service Improvement Plan and form an Enhanced Partnership with public transport providers to include targets to substantially increase public transport patronage and bus reliability.
3.49 - As part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan, give consideration to the role of existing Park and Ride facilities as a means of encouraging mode switch to public transport for part of the journey.
3.50 - Complete the development of Morlaix Drive to provide better bus access to Derriford Hospital, improving service reliability.
3.51 - Submit the Bus Service Improvement Plan which will include a bid for a share of Government funding set aside for the purchase by local bus operators of zero emission buses, including the purchase of electric mini buses to support Access Plymouth demand responsive services.
3.52 - Continue to input into the Decarbonising Strategy of Peninsula Transport which will require an assessment of scenarios for transitioning to low carbon and Net- Zero mobility futures, including a phased plan outlining the steps required to achieve transition either through reducing miles travelled by motorised vehicles or reducing carbon emitted per mile travelled.
3.53 - In partnership with Network Rail discuss the feasibility for investing in creating more opportunities for rail freight delivery to and from the city.
3.54 - Contribute to the Peninsula Transport Regional Rail and Freight Strategy, to develop a plan for more efficient distribution of goods across the region.
3.55 - Engage with taxi drivers to understand the barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles and develop a programme of support and promotion.
3.56 - Deliver further charging infrastructure for electric powered boats.
3.57 - Lobby government to consider fiscal incentives to support home and flexible working for businesses in the city.
3.58 - Lobby government to increase the proportion of Department of Transport capital funding delegated to local authorities.
3.59 - Lobby government to review vehicle exercise duty in order to encourage a switch to sustainable transport modes.
3.60 - Review the government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan and identify opportunities in Plymouth for future climate emergency initiatives and actions.
3.61 - Continue to liaise with the Plymouth Cycling Campaign to ensure the experiences for cyclists in the city are improved.
3.62 - Publish an Electric Vehicle Chargers Inclusion and Accessibility Design Guide to raise the standard and consistency of facilities in the city.
3.63 - Work with the Plymouth Net Zero Partnership to investigate innovations in fleet technologies.
3.64 - Work with the University of Exeter and the University of Plymouth Sustainable Earth Institute to identify opportunities for research into clean transport technology