Community news

Housebuilder’s Ipswich location first in country to receive sustainable travel accreditation

- 30 Mar 20

A national housebuilder's Ipswich location has been celebrated for its sustainable approach to transport – including walking and cycling – the first in the country to receive such recognition!

Bovis Homes’ Ribbans Park location, off Foxhall Road, received the Modeshift STARS Bronze Accreditation for its travel plan, which aims to reduce the impact of peak hour car journeys.

The achievement is thanks to Stuart Michael Associates (SMA) Ltd, which works with Bovis Homes – part of the newly-formed Vistry Group – to support the adoption of sustainable travel methods by residents.

Doug Law, regional land director at Bovis Homes, said: “Creating sustainable communities is in our DNA and Bovis Homes is proud to be part of the country’s first STARS accreditation for work at our Ribbans Park location, with Stuart Michael Associates Ltd, Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council.

“This is a fantastic achievement and shows that with strong collaboration, alternative transport options – with the main aim of reducing peak time car journeys – can be implemented to the major benefit of home owners. As well as increasing awareness, the plan includes regular communication and a subsidised voucher scheme and we look forward to seeing residents’ travel improve as a result.”

The five-year travel plan, developed by SMA Ltd, has five objectives; to increase awareness of alternative travel options with residents, provide travel information packs, offer a subsidised voucher scheme, raise awareness of the benefits of car sharing and maintain a line of communication with residents to ensure they have access to relevant travel information.

This package of measures combined with a site audit, detailed monitoring surveys and action planning led to Ribbans Park securing STARS Bronze Accreditation.

Martin Ohrland, director at SMA Ltd, said: “As travel plan coordinators for the site, we are very pleased to have achieved this on behalf of Bovis Homes. Over the years we have won other awards for the travel planning services we provide for our clients, but this is excellent news for Ribbans Park.”

The location, which will include 227 homes, provides strong links to the public transport network, as all properties are within a six-minute walk of the nearest bus stop connecting the development to Ipswich town centre. Rail travel is within a mile of the location, providing an 11-minute walk to the branch line between Ipswich and Felixstowe.

As well as walking and cycling route maps of the local area, the travel information packs include a subsidised sustainable travel voucher - to the value of £140 - for use on bus or rail tickets or a cycle voucher. There are also timetables, plus information about local shops offering online shopping and home delivery services.

Nick Butler, Modeshift STARS national accreditation manager, said: “To see the first residential development gaining STARS Accreditation is fantastic. It is a great example of collaborative working between Bovis Homes, Stuart Michael Associates Ltd and Suffolk County Council. We are delighted to recognise this development with Bronze STARS Accreditation.”