DWP LAUNCHES UK CAR CLUB TRANSPORTATION PLANS

UK car club schemes offer a pay-as-you-drive alternative to car ownership and can add to the value of residential and commercial developments when included within each sites travel plan.

DWP, Denis Wilson Partnership, is keeping UK developers aware of the opportunities and applications of car club schemes -- which offer a pay-as-you-drive alternative to car ownership and can add to the value of residential and commercial developments when included within each sites travel plan. DWP says that car clubs may increasingly be required by Local Authorities where a low ratio of parking spaces to building occupancy is anticipated.

Car clubs are an emerging initiative within a number of cities - such as in Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds, which are managed by Smart Moves Ltd - where members can hire vehicles on an hourly basis from a number of designated locations. The Leeds scheme has secured six spaces across the city and is sponsored by the City Council. Car clubs are seen to contribute to a number of recent government initiatives for the reduction of car dependency.

Car clubs are particularly suited to housing developments with low parking allocations or low car ownership levels, as a number of residents can share the use of one car. This will add greater value to the scheme where parking ratios are restricted by policy or space," says Geoff Bowman, manager of DWPs Leeds office.

Funding car clubs through Section 106 Agreements may be required in future," he says: Supplementary Planning Guidance notes are already emerging which set out the level of contributions and responsibilities that developers may be obliged to fulfill in regard to car parking provision of this kind."

The level of contributions by developers for setting up a car club ranges between 125 and 500 for each dwelling - although one car club may serve a number of developments in a city centre. Two cars are required for approximately 65 dwellings whereas 12 cars would be appropriate for 500 units, according to DWP. Membership costs are some 12 per month and the use of the car is around 2 per hour.

DWP advises developers, retailers and other organisations on some 700 new transport and traffic-related development projects each year. Services include: feasibility studies and site appraisals; development planning, transport assessments and negotiation with planning authorities; detailed design of highway works, and associated value engineering and legal negotiation; and implementation through project planning, programming and management.

Further information:   
DWP, Windsor House, 37 Windsor Street, Chertsey, KT16 8AT
Tel: 01932 569 566 Fax: 01932 569 531 http://www.deniswilson.co.uk

Media information:
Patrick Rea, Rea-TMA
Tel: 020 8870 4976
http://www.rea-tma.com