The Worcester Transport Strategy

The proposed Worcester Transport Strategy (WTS) has been developed to identify a comprehensive programme of investment in transport infrastructure for the City of Worcester, to deal with existing and future transport challenges, whilst contributing towards the long-term prosperity of Worcester and south Worcestershire over the next 20 years.

The Worcester Transport Strategy involves a package of investment in a wide range of transport infrastructure and service enhancements. This will deliver benefits not only locally, but also across the wider region, improving access and network efficiency for all users travelling into, though and/or around the City of Worcester transport network. In particular, this investment will make Worcester more attractive to business, supporting the local and regional economy.

Bringing together the desired outcomes, issues and policy guidance, we are aware that a wide-ranging package of transport measures is required to deliver improvements to the existing network, including the following measures:

Strategic Highway Improvements including the dualling of the Southern Link Road.
Local Highway Improvements including junction and pavement enhancements.
Rail station enhancements.
The construction of a new Railway Station (Worcestershire Parkway Regional Interchange).
Exploration of the feasibility of local railway stations.
Enhancement of the City Centre's public realm, transport infrastructure and services.
Improvements to infrastructure and services for walking and cycling
Key corridor improvements to enhance the main routes into and out of the city for all users, smoothing traffic flow and reducing congestion.
Incentivise greater use and improvement to the perception of sustainable modes (walking, cycling, passenger transport).
Implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems to improve efficiency and choice.

To deliver the Worcester Transport Strategy in full, Worcestershire County Council and partners will need to secure over £200 million of investment. Clearly, the possibility of accruing this level of funding at any one time is impossible. Therefore, the Council aims to deliver the full Worcester Transport Strategy through a phased approach, delivering parts of the strategy as funding becomes available.

Green light from Central Government for Phase One of the Worcester Transport Strategy

Find out more about plans for Malvern Link and Foregate Street. Comments can be made on the proposals until July 6, 2012.

Central Government has announced that Worcestershire County Council's funding bid for transport improvements in Worcester has been successful. Following a competitive bidding process, which attracted submissions from across the country, the Worcester Transport Strategy Phase One project has been awarded £14.2million. The proposals to make travelling around the area easier will be put in place between 2012 and 2015. They include:

Strategic Highways Improvements: Enhancements to the key junctions on the Worcester Southern Link Road, to improve traffic flow, particularly at peak times and reduce transport costs to businesses and road users;
Rail Station Enhancements: This will involve investment and improvement in passenger and interchange facilities at Worcester Foregate Street and Malvern Link stations, helping to improve the quality of rail travel and encourage increased use of these under-utilised transport assets. The improvements to passenger facilities to Worcester's Foregate Street will include upgrading of signage, the ground level waiting area, information and ticketing facilities, lighting, security and improved sheltered walk links to Foregate Street and its taxi ranks and bus stops.
Key Corridor Improvements: This will involve investment in key corridors to improve the quality of transport infrastructure and public realm along these routes. This will help to smooth traffic flows and improve conditions for all road users;
Transport Information Systems: Measures to provide users with better, more accurate information on the transport network, with the aim of increasing network efficiency. For example, variable message signs will direct car drivers to city centre car parks which have available capacity, while public transport users will be provided with real time information on services via mobile phones and at stop/station signs.
Improved infrastructure for walking and cycling: This would involve enhancements designed to encourage more local trips on foot and by bike. The improvements to passenger facilities to Worcester's Foregate Street will be on the ground level and include upgrading of the waiting area, signage, information, shelters, lighting and security.

The total cost of Phase One of the project, which is part of a longer term plan, will be £19.6million. Worcestershire county Council will fund the remainder of the scheme (around £5million).

Like many of the other projects around the country competing for cash the Phase One bid was reduced in size from original plans to reflect the limited amount of funding available nationally at present.

Cllr John Smith OBE, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "the news from the Department of Transport is very welcome and a fantastic boost for Worcester just before the festive celebrations. These proposals are about here and now but I'd also like to stress they are part of a much wider long-term plans to make things better.

"The Phase One plans, which will now become a reality, all aim to deliver vital improvements when it comes to how we get around the area. They look to tackle congestion and, importantly, open up economic barriers that may exist."

The Department for Transport's website has further details on the Local Authority Major Scheme's Development Pool Schemes Decisions

If you have any questions on the scheme, please contact the Transport Policy and Strategy Team by email: mcjones@worcestershire.gov.uk or by telephone on (01905) 766306.

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