Just wondering if a Sustainable & Active Travel Network could be set up. Happy to contribute idea's to such a forum as currently lead our ICS Travel & Transport sub group.
ie Cycling, Walking, scooting, Ebikes -new generation of cyclists, EV cars, Public transport- buses, trams and trains. Car sharing, Air quality - no idling signs or Electrical hook ups for waiting ambulances, EV charge points, Behavioural nudge guidance - correct cycle infrastructure, Dr Bike, cycle to work welcome packs, Cycle to work scheme's, work place challenges...etc.
Thank you
Alex - Sustainable Travel Planner-Acute Trust
Hi
I'll put my networking and Transition Telford (Transition Towns) hat on here (I'm not a medical fellow, but helped put together the 'Green Nephrology' section at launch from a patient perspective. I did get an invite to join the RSM, for another presentation, but anyway!
I digress. I think it's an excellent idea.
Challenges, the gov has made massive cuts to sustainable travel/green transport. So funding has to be found for any projects
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:705484985040360652…
Groups such as Sustrans and many more are campaigning against this.
Other groups such as the Dutch Cycling Embassy have great resources/case studies.
By example also put the question forth regarding transport routes and methods (again as a patient) to a new satellite unit project in Telford (now served by one new bus aimed at workers between trading estates), which I believe is hourly.
The initial answer was -everyone drives to the unit anyway.
The frequency of busses outside big cities is a challenge (3 mins in London compared to 15 in Telford for example).
Cycling networks again need much improvement.
Any of these would compliment the changes & advances so far in video conferencing and appointments, drone deliveries etc.
The biggest complaint in the SATH locations, (PRH & SHR) is parking (and most of the new developments are built with full care dependancy, a health issue in itself, and potentially a massive impact to services in the long term.
I'm keen for both staff, and patients to benefit from less time spent in cars!
For every mile by bike you get social yield as opposed to cost for every other form of transport.
I totally agree with both of you - I think a sustainable travel thrust is absolutely essential. And a 2014 review commissioned by the government found a benefit to cost ratio averaging £5 in public health benefit for every £1 spent on cycling infrastructure: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uplo…
The downside is that based on this math, this unfortunately means that by cutting £200 million from the cycling budget, £1 billion in future NHS demand has now been added - I think the healthcare community should be highlighting this more, though we need to be able to do it in a diplomatic way.
A network on sustainable travel sounds like a great idea, would definitely be interested in getting involved with this (but unfortunately no capacity to set up/lead I'm afraid)
It might be worth looking into what trusts/hospitals have in place. PRH in Telford, for instance has secure covered parking for staff, but I've never seen it as full as the sprawling spaces for cars. Around 4 or 5 buses stop in the hospital grounds as well. But again the frequency could be better for some routes.
Hi Alex, I will contact you directly to talk about your suggestion. It is definitely something we'd like to take forward in some capacity and there are a number of positive ways we could implement this across the networks platform! Thanks for getting the conversation started.
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