The initiative – covering the Sutton Walmley and Minworth, and Reddicap wards - will help put people before cars ensuring that residents, workers and visitors have more opportunities to walk, wheel, cycle and take public transport.
Councillor Ken Wood, Ward Councillor for Sutton Walmley and Minworth said: “Whilst appreciating that, for many, there will always be a need to accommodate private vehicle use, this initiative will ensure residents, workers and visitors have viable alternatives and more opportunities to walk, wheel, cycle and take public transport.”
Developed alongside the creation of the Peddimore employment park and the Langley Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) which will bring thousands of new jobs and homes to the area, the district has been specially designed to ensure that both exemplar developments are well connected and sustainable.
The vision of the GTD is for less congestion, less pollution, fewer accidents, and healthier, safer, more productive communities.
The formation of a GTD will bring together key organisations, including Birmingham City Council, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Warwickshire County Council, IM Properties, the Langley Consortium and Transport for West Midlands to coordinate activity across the area and ensure the necessary infrastructure, policies and supporting initiatives are in place.
A huge amount of work has already been undertaken by IM Properties, the developer of Peddimore in and around the site to enable people to walk, wheel or cycle for local journeys.
This includes a new footbridge over the A38 and plans to improve connections to local rail stations and the canal towpath, including better signage.
Two new bus services have also been launched to serve the Peddimore site. The 67A service between Birmingham city centre and Peddimore provides a link from Erdington and Castle Vale and the 71A service between Royal Sutton Coldfield and Chelmsley Wood links with Kingshurst and Castle Bromwich.
The first occupants of the Peddimore site, Amazon, have already created a Travel Plan detailing actions to promote sustainable travel to their staff and achieve the first level of accreditation with the national Modeshift STARS accreditation scheme.
David Smith, director, Planning & Communities at IM Properties and development partner for Peddimore site, said: “Sustainable travel that prioritises walking, cycling and public transport is central to the Peddimore vision, connecting local people in Birmingham, Royal Sutton Coldfield and neighbouring North Warwickshire with new employment opportunities.
“We‘ve created a striking landscape setting that sensitively links with the surrounding area and provides attractive, safe, and accessible active travel routes.
“This contributes to an engaging and welcoming workplace, supporting the wellbeing of employees and visitors, while minimising impact on the environment.”
Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council are also backing the Green Travel District approach.
Councillor Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “The Green Travel District clearly supports our Active Travel Vision across the town where residents and visitors can leave the car at home if they wish and move safely and efficiently through our streets and spaces.
“Providing real green transport choices supports better health, economic and environmental outcomes and will ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the rich heritage, biodiversity and natural beauty of our town.”
