Strategic Objectives
- To promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport, including bus, rail and tram to address traffic congestion across south and west London
- To provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods
- To improve public transport interchange facilities to allow easy transfer from one mode to another
- To promote economic growth and urban regeneration by implementing local, London-wide and national policies aimed at achieving sustainable travel and development
- To recognise best practice and promote innovation in respect of both physical improvements to transport infrastructure and changes to travel behaviour through the use of travel plans and improved information and guidance; and
- To support the development of innovative technologies and solutions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from motor vehicles
The Transport Partnerships Team at the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames also acts as Sector Leader in South West London for both the London Bus Priority Network (LBPN) and the London Cycle Network Plus (LCN+). This allows for strong co-ordination and integration across various transport modes in this part of the capital. You can find out more about LCN+ at their web site here - www.londoncyclenetwork.org.uk
How we work
The work of the partnership is overseen by the SWELTRAC Forum, which meets once a year, and two Working Groups which meet every two months. These are:
The Rail Access Working Group - this group includes representatives from train operators, Network Rail and Transport for London (TfL) and oversees the work we do to implement station access improvements across the suburban networks covering South and West London. It also plays a strategic role in monitoring and influencing major rail proposals in the region such as Crossrail, Airtrack and the East London Line extensions. It is our main point of liaison with London Tramlink.
The Sustainable Transport & Strategy Working Group – this group up-dates partners on SWELTRAC management and funding issues as well as focussing on projects such as our Electric Vehicle Charging Points scheme. Our Travel Plan officers keep the group informed about the work they have been undertaking with local businesses to promote and support the use of sustainable transport modes by their staff. It also takes a keen interest in issues relating to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, and receives reports on topics of common interest from a variety of other partnerships operating within the SWELTRAC sub-region.
The SWELTRAC Forum - the SWELTRAC Forum meets once a year and is intended to give greater involvement to Senior Councillors, Borough Officers and other partners in the work of the partnership. It receives presentations on topical transport issues and projects that are significant to both the South & West London sub-region and the capital as a whole.
Both groups regularly receive presentations from a range of transport operators and organisations on topical issues and proposals that affect South and West London.
The Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of each group, along with senior members of the SWELTRAC team, form the Executive group which takes a strategic view of the management of the partnership as a whole.
Workplace Travel Planning: SWELTRAC Best Sub-Region
SWELTRAC's efforts in workplace travel planning were recognised last year by winning TfL's Smarter Travel Award for the 'Best Sub Region'. There have been no such awards in 2009, but we feel our efforts have gone from strength to strength with our committed team of Travel Plan Co-ordinators.