Climate emergency action plan - pathway to net zero

A modal shift to more active transport can reduce emissions from privately owned vehicles. An estimated 70 percent of car journeys within Cheltenham are under 2km. Many of these journeys could be made on foot or by bicycle. For those unable to make these journeys without a vehicle, public transport needs to become a more attractive option. Policies such as this will lead will help to improve Cheltenham’s air quality with positive health impacts.

Delivery update and future areas of focus

Safe cycle hubs

• £100k funding has been secured to invest in creating a safe and secure cycle hub within the town centre during 2024

Electric car charging

• We are currently working through the implementation of phase 1 of the council’s own electric vehichle (EV) charging plan to install approximately 40 chargers across five car parks during 2024.
• Looking ahead: The aim would be to deliver over 200 chargers by 2029, within an incremental annual programme

Taxi policy

• In April 2023, a policy was put in place implementing our ambition to operate a fully net zero carbon fleet by 2030 in stages. This focuses on phasing out the most polluting vehicles as an essential first step.

Vehicle decarbonisation transition plan

• Starting with Ubico, we are working towards replacing all vehicles in its fleet under 3.5 tonnes with electric over time, subject to the charging infrastructure being available. The grounds maintenance team and the facilities cleaning team have been using two electric vehicles for over 18 months

Sustainable work and travel policies internally

• Alongside the Cycle to Work scheme and car sharing initiative, we have a fully flexible home working policy. We also provide bicycles that officers can use, where practical, to carry out their roles
• Looking ahead: The number of electric bikes will be increased

Gloucestershire County Council and countywide action

• Alongside continuation of the e-scooter trial to 2026, in January 2023 all seven Gloucestershire authorities signed a Statement of Shared Intent (SoSI) to work together to reduce Gloucestershire transport related carbon emissions. As the lead authority, Gloucestershire County Council is co-ordinating efforts enable sustainable neighbourhoods, deliver a modal shift and reduce road related emissions

Planning policy and enabling sustainable transport

• The Climate SPD includes measures to ensure that new developments consider and enable active transport and provide safe bike storage for residents
• Looking ahead: Our Strategic local plan (SLP) provides an opportunity to support this approach more widely and has within its core objectives ‘Prioritising sustainable transport and active travel'

Air quality action plan (AQAP)

• The link between air quality and health is clear. There is simply no safe level of pollution. As part of our responsibilities under local air quality management we developed an air quality action plan (AQAP) consisting of a comprehensive set of measures to improve local air quality. The plan was accepted by Defra in February 2024
• Looking ahead: We will strive to meet the actions outlined in the AQAP by 2030, working closely with Gloucestershire County Council in their role as lead transport authority

Ongoing and completed actions

Priority in 2021-23

• Work with Gloucestershire County Council to prioritise transport investment in cycling and walking. Priorities will be installing segregated cycleways, increasing space for pedestrians and introducing a 20mph speed limit in urban areas. Seek to safeguard routes for a future mass transport system to enhance and improve the sustainability of Cheltenham’s public transport offering
• Introduce new ‘safe cycle hubs’ across the town, working with businesses to help facilitate these, as well as installing more cycle racks, wherever it is suitable and safe to do so
• Enable a shift to electric vehicles by installing electric vehicle charging points in council owned car parks. Support Gloucestershire County Council with the delivery of their Local Transport Plan (LTP)
• Deliver a policy that will require all taxis to be electric, or another form of zero carbon as technology evolves, and support the provision of required infrastructure

Priority in 2024-26

• Transition the council’s own fleet to electric vehicles. Explore interim measures such as the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel in place of traditional diesel in instances where electrification is not yet a viable option, particularly for the council’s heavy goods vehicles delivering environmental services across the borough
• Reduce the use of private vehicles used for commuting by council officers through a reinvigorated green staff travel strategy, including progressive flexible and home-working options
• Reduce car use through measures available to the borough such as promoting car-sharing schemes, supporting the continuation of the county e-scooter trial, introducing staff incentive schemes such as ‘Cycle to Work’ and reducing or removing direct car parking benefits
• Work with Gloucestershire County Council to develop and implement a “last mile” strategy that encourages greener deliveries across the area by setting up an area-wide distribution centre. This will help remove large delivery vehicles from the central road network and facilitate the introduction of efficient cargo bikes to Cheltenham, whilst creating new jobs and economic growth

Priority in 2027-28

• Review our existing car parking strategy. We will continue to explore ways to ensure alternative travel options to car use are viable and seen to be more favourable than driving. Town centre parking charges will need to reflect this policy choice. Repurposing some car parking spaces (for example by creating urban gardens or for car share schemes) will be necessary to demonstrate the council’s ambition to remove priority for privately-owned vehicles and to amplify services and support for active travellers
• Reduce the need to own and use a car by requiring that the location and design of new developments means they are demonstrably accessible by safe cycling, walking routes and good quality public transport and situated close to essential services
• Explore the feasibility of introducing Clean Air Zones within Cheltenham town centre, similar to schemes recently introduced in other areas such as Bath and Birmingham