Gloucester to Cheltenham bus plan for services every 10 minutes – BBC

Gloucestershire County Council Advances Sustainable Transport Initiative in Alignment with UN SDGs

1. Project Overview and Initial Funding

Gloucestershire County Council has approved an initial £1.25 million in funding to develop the business case for a new mass rapid transit system. This initiative is designed to enhance public transport infrastructure and align with global sustainability objectives.

• Service Objective: To establish a high-frequency, zero-emission bus service connecting the county’s primary urban centres, Cheltenham and Gloucester.
• Operational Frequency: The proposed service will operate on a 10-minute interval, significantly improving public transport reliability and accessibility.
• Geographic Scope: The core route will link Cheltenham and Gloucester, with potential future expansion to connect Bishop’s Cleeve with Quedgeley.
• Strategic Importance: The project forms the foundation of the county’s planned express bus network, aimed at improving connectivity for both urban and surrounding rural areas.

2. Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The mass rapid transit project directly contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating a commitment to sustainable local development.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The initiative addresses Target 11.2 by aiming to provide safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all residents.
   • It supports integrated urban planning by providing essential infrastructure for future housing developments within the strategic local plan area of Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The commitment to a fully zero-emission fleet directly supports climate change mitigation efforts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The project represents the development of quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure designed to support economic activity and enhance human well-being through equitable access.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • By introducing zero-emission vehicles, the project will contribute to improved local air quality, reducing health risks associated with vehicle pollution.

3. Strategic Rationale and Implementation

According to Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainable transport, the project marks a decisive shift from prolonged study to practical action. The focus is on delivering tangible improvements to public transport infrastructure.

• Phased Approach: The council is adopting a practical, bus-based approach due to the prohibitive costs and logistical challenges associated with developing a new tramway or guided busway from scratch.
• Evidence-Based Decision: Previous studies failed to identify a clear, viable route for a dedicated guided busway or tramway.
• Population Density Considerations: Analysis indicates that the current population density in the Severn Vale does not justify the investment required for a rail-based mass rapid transit system.

4. Conclusion

The approval of development funding for the Cheltenham-Gloucester rapid bus service is a significant step in Gloucestershire’s strategy to build a sustainable and inclusive public transport network. By prioritizing a zero-emission, high-frequency service, the council is taking concrete action to meet the needs of its communities while contributing directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals for climate, infrastructure, and sustainable cities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article discusses the development of a new mass rapid transit system, which is a form of sustainable infrastructure. The project aims to create a “high-quality” and “high frequency” public transport network, contributing to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most central SDG to the article. The project’s goal is to create a “seriously good public transport” system that links the two largest urban areas, Cheltenham and Gloucester, and improves access for “surrounding rural areas.” This directly addresses the need for safe, accessible, and sustainable transport systems in human settlements. The plan is also linked to the area’s “future housing developments,” highlighting integrated urban planning.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly states that the new bus service will be “zero-emission.” This commitment demonstrates a direct action to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from public transportation, integrating climate change measures into local planning and policy.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.” The development of a “high-quality” and “high frequency” bus network connecting major urban and rural areas directly aligns with this target of creating sustainable and reliable infrastructure to improve access for the county’s population.
• Target 11.2: “By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport…” The entire project described in the article—a rapid bus service to “improve access to public transport”—is a direct implementation of this target. It aims to create an accessible and sustainable transport system for the residents of Gloucestershire.
• Target 13.2: “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.” The council’s decision to ensure the new transport system is “zero-emission” is a clear example of integrating climate change mitigation measures into local transport strategy and infrastructure planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Frequency of Public Transport Service: The article states that the plan is for “buses to run every 10 minutes.” This is a specific, measurable indicator of the convenience and accessibility of the public transport system, directly related to measuring progress towards Target 11.2.
• Adoption of Clean Technology: The commitment to using “zero-emission” buses is a key performance indicator. The proportion of the public transport fleet that is zero-emission can be tracked to measure progress towards sustainable infrastructure (Target 9.1) and climate action (Target 13.2).
• Geographic Coverage of Public Transport: The article mentions the service will link “Cheltenham and Gloucester” and could ultimately extend from “Bishop’s Cleeve with Quedgeley,” while also improving access for “surrounding rural areas.” The percentage of the population or the number of key settlements served by this high-frequency route is an implied indicator of providing accessible transport for all (Target 11.2).
• Financial Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure: The approval of “£1.25m to start developing the project” is a quantifiable indicator of the government’s commitment and financial allocation towards developing sustainable infrastructure, as per Target 9.1.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com