The environmental, social and economic benefits of sustainable travel to local highstreets and town centres: A literature and policy review

Tender description

The aim of this research is primarily to identify the business and local economic benefits that can come from more local living across e.g. working and learning, leisure and sports, socialising and faith/interest communities, and shopping. The secondary aim of the research is to create an evidence-base of the multiple environmental, social and economic benefits of sustainable travel to local highstreets and in town centres. This evidence base should be presented in a way that is suitable for engagement with the range of stakeholders, particularly local planners, local businesses and community groups that need to be involved to affect the changes. The research will explore how to use a combination of mechanisms to achieve policy objectives, including, but not restricted to: - reducing car use through e.g. restricting parking or pedestrianising local high streets; - encouraging more ‘thoughtful’ business practices, including e.g. refill services and local deliveries; and - providing local collection points and / or zero emissions last mile delivery from local hubs. The research should also consider how these interventions, in addition to encouraging people to support local businesses while they are visiting, could increase safety and accessibility of local streets and public places, increase perception of the attractiveness of the local area for shopping, leisure and other activities , reduce congestion and transport emissions etc. The research should include a focus on the inclusiveness of interventions, seeking evidence of how a ‘living locally’ agenda can be beneficial across the full range of demographics; including disabled people, those on lower incomes and those living in rural and island communities.