A Job to Tackle CongestionJanuary 2007 In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion in the centre of St Albans, a travel plan co-ordinator is to be appointed in order to identify and implement workable measures to reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys into the city centre. The post holder will initially collect information on the travel habits of people who work in and commute to the city centre, as well as to solicit their views on alternatives to car use. The information collected will aid the development of a Travel Plan for St Albans city centre with the aim, if successful, of extending it to surrounding areas. The Travel Plan will provide a tool for developing new bus routes and a car sharing/ car pool scheme. The travel plan co-ordinator will also assess the suitability of Park & Ride facilities, and will work to encourage greater use of cycling and walking in the city. The co-ordinator will liaise with city centre businesses and members of the St Albans Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), a group of key local organisations working together to improve the quality of live for district's residents. Two members of the Local Strategic Partnership, Hightown Praetorian and Churches Housing Association, St Albans, and Rothamsted Research, are providing part of the funding for the post. The bulk of the funding is coming from the University of Hertfordshire, which has done a considerable amount of work on implementing its own Travel Plan, as well as from St Albans City and District Council. The post will be advertised in early 2007, with the position initially a one-year contract. The role will help the council to pursue its commitment to reducing local traffic congestion and its impact on local air quality in the city and its wider impact on carbon emissions, which contribute to global warming. This commitment was made when the Council signed the Nottingham Declaration in November 2006. Cllr Robert Donald, chair of the LSP, commented: "One of the LSP's main priorities is to implement a co-ordinated Green Travel Plan for the district involving as many of our board partners as possible. "This joint LDP appointment will really help to establish practical projects in the area to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions. A car sharing scheme, improved public transport provision and car pooling arrangements are just some of the ideas this Travel Plan Co-ordinator will investigate. I look forward to progressing their recommendations in the near future." Note The St Albans and District Local Strategic Partnership is a group of key local public, business and voluntary/community sector organisations working together to improve the quality of life for residents who live in St Albans district. It currently consists of the following organisations:
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