When we talk about transport, people often default to discussing cars and traffic. But going to school, visiting a friend, popping out for a pint of milk, getting to the park, or heading to a sports club can often be easier without a car. It’s so important in planning a new neighbourhood to think about how these everyday journeys work.
This starts with how places are designed. Towns and villages that developed before the car grew around convenience and natural meeting places. This is one reason why their green spaces, walking routes, squares, schools and shops ‘work’ so seamlessly. On the flip side, they are often clogged up by cars and unplanned parking spaces.
Newer towns and villages are more car friendly, but often at the expense of walking, cycling, socialising and a real sense of community.
Our designs for Stamford North aim to create the best of both worlds. It would, of course, be unrealistic to expect people to want to live there without a car, but we can ensure that there are attractive, usable and enjoyable ways to get around on foot and by bike.
If the route to school is safe and direct from day one, people will use it. If the cycle route into town is pleasant enough, people will choose it. E-bikes can be a realistic option for those who struggle with hills. If the bus is frequent and reliable enough to be worth depending on, it becomes part of how people, especially new residents, get around. That is why we are investing in improved bus services, building walking and cycling routes into the streets from the start, and improving connections into the town centre, not tacking them on once everything else has already been built.
These are not services exclusive to residents of Stamford North. Better bus connections, new cycle routes and improved walking links are there for all.
As our plans develop, we would love to hear more about how you get around in Stamford and what would make life easier. There is still time to work that into our design.
Meanwhile, we cannot forget the car. There is a detailed article about roads and traffic here. In summary, the new Main Street connecting Ryhall Road and Casterton Road has been tested using the County Council's independent transport model, and the forecast traffic numbers demonstrate that it functions as intended, consuming the traffic from the new homes while also providing increased resilience and betterment to Stamford's wider transport network.
Like anyone who lives or works here, we want to create a beautiful and people-friendly place with minimal traffic congestion. That is the plan, and with your continued help, we will keep working towards it.