News
| SustAccess Road Shows |
Reaching out with the message to the regional and local policy maker and politician that is the essence of the regional road shows that SustAccess organises. Big themes tend to be difficult and are often reserved for overall politicians. Sustainable transport planning must start at regions, provinces, boroughs or municipalities and done by the responsible local or regional politicians. The daily life stress makes it sometimes difficult to reflect on the overall perspective. In the road shows these big themes are presented, in the local language and accessible to everyone.
Also in September SustAccess partners plan for a road show. The schedule is as follows.
13 & 14 September - Kristiansand, Vest Agder Norway
In a Scandinavian freight debate future perspectives will be set out to shift transport from road to rail and/or water. A specific theme will be how to tackle the relatively large distances in Sweden and Norway, a low population density and how to fit in the need for sustainable investments and specific transport solutions that serve more remote areas. The preliminary information opens here. The programme downloads here. Please observe that the seminar will be held in Scandinavian.
14 September - Meppen, Emsland Germany
The Landkreis Emsland promotes the EmsAchse by taking the train from Meppen to Emden passing the freight hub Dörpen. The delegates are invited to get on the train and listen o several speakers whilst following the EmsAchse. The preliminary program is available here.
20 September - Bov Museum, Oldemorstoft Padborg, Denmark
The Padborg Transport Institute opens an exhibition at the Bov museum that shows the story behind the growth of Padborg as an international transport hub. A 30 metres long photo impression catches that development and enlightens the transport trends in the cross border region of Schleswig Holstein and South Jutland. The invitation of ‘Padborg 1920 – 2030, En beretning om bevægelse’ is available here.
25 September – Fraserburgh, Scotland (jointly with Perth & Kinross council)
An inspiration seminar will be organised building upon the material that has been produced until now. The regional freight transport policy document is one of the items of course as is the potentials of rail freight. The IT Hot Stops will be alighted too as good examples of reduction in passenger transport. The invitation and the programme are available.
27 September – Southend England (jointly with Essex County Council)
The Borough of Southend is finalising the improvements in and around the Victoria Station. Earlier the new bus terminal was opened. These are important steps to a sustainable passenger transport worth while showing. The road show invites to a reflection on the regional impact and the necessity of future steps.
| Road Show Aberdeen |
The Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh is situated at the coast one hour from Aberdeen. Fifteen people gathered here for a workshop on the Scottish impact of SustAccess on Tuesday 25 September.
After the words of welcome by Philip Mc Gray (see picture) Paul Kyle, SustAccess partner in Perth, enlightened the measures to improve river access and quay facility. Measures that formed a step forwards to guarantee and strengthen the position of this inland harbour. Road kilometre reduction as short sea shipping routes can land 30 km inland is an obvious advantage. The next step will be to realize the rail head connection that will give access to the central railroad.
In Aberdeenshire county the SustAccess installed and experienced two IT HotStops, places where entrepreneurs and citizens can go in and use available computers as well as video conferencing facilities. One of this HotStops is in Huntly and is managed in cooperation with the College. Of course this way of meeting was tested when Robert Nordstedt from Sweden talked about Peak oil, when the former contact point Richie Fraser showed some monitoring results and when Donald Boyd (picture) lectured about the use of these HotStops in community work. The principal of the Banff College Robert Sinclair spoke about the role of education institutions like his in remote areas and how communications are pre-conditions for a good education.
A good day with an example of how travel can be reduced, lectures even if they talk through a video connection still are inspiring!
| Road Show Padborg |
70 to 90 people attended the opening of the exhibition "Padborg 1920 – 2030" in the municipal museum of Bov.
"En beretning om bevægelse" shows the story of movement, of progress. The exhibition explicitly opens the window to the future, sketching the potential scenarios for 2030.
The transport centre originally started at the border of Germany and Denmark where all the custom paper work was done. This automatic stop made it a main hub in freight transport handling, as has been the case at many borders. One lecturer looked back on this specific item and the battle for survival when the custom function slowly disappeared in a Europe without trade frontiers. Nowadays many large firms established their Nordic distribution point at Padborg.
Padborg SustAccess invited a group of architects to brainstorm about the future of Padborg transport centre and to make these potentials visible. "Powering Europe" is the vision that came out of it and naturally it takes prominent place in the current exhibition.
The exhibition of pictures, documents and videos is open until January 2008.
| Road Show Emsland |
The road show in Emsland on Friday 14 September really showed some other sides of meeting. In a train traveling the 100 kilometers between Meppen and Emden, with a stop in between at the combi freight terminal Dörpen! The thought behind it was to show the potentials of the development zone EmsAchse that stretches from the Ruhr area in the South to the North German harbours like Emden.
Around 60 passengers, from the different ‘Landkreise’ and towns along the EmsAchse, coming from across the border and from the private logistic sector, enjoyed an inspiring trip with lecturers on board of the train and the buses, as well as in the premises of a paper mill or out in the harbour.
Landrat Bröring informed us through the train intercom about the EmsAchse and the latest investment of 160 mEuro in the Dortmund-Ems canal, the representative from the paper mill informed about the logistics behind a paper production, the manager of VZW Dörpen showed the ten-year history and the progress of the combi-terminal. Rail freight is growing above all expectations, which stretches the challenges as we learned from the representative of ‘Kombiverkehr’ and flows need to be handled carefully according the logistics service provider. The harbour visit in Emden showed the potentials of the North with car handling as well as wind mills export. Exciting indeed to see and feel the power behind this region.
| Road Show Sluis and Kortrijk |
The 29th of June the municipality of Sluis and the city of Kortrijk organised a one-day road show between the two SustAccess partners.
Road Show Sluis
In the morning the new tourism transit centre in Nieuwvliet was inaugurated. The weather conditions forced us to move into the nearby hotel where 75 people – including a delegation from Kortrijk -listened to several speeches. Councillor Mr. Leen Wille was proud that the centre is ready for use, something that the Swedish architect of the firm Kanozi that actually designed the centre confirmed. Yet another speaker announced that the Belgian authorities expressed the intention to extend their coastal tramway into Zeeuws Vlaanderen, which would be a further step towards sustainable transport solutions.
The main theme was the necessity of sustainable tourism mobility. The transit centre (or ‘parkeeronthaalkamers’ in Dutch) serves as a gathering point where the tourist is invited to leave the car behind and to rent a bike for the transport during the visit. Or to use the regular bus service along the coastline which started this summer. One stop is of course next to the transit centre. Other facilities are depending of the specific bathing place. Nieuwvliet orientates on families and offers showers, Internet connection and a fruit and ice bar. Two more centres will be realised in the future, building on the experiences with the first one.
After a seaside lunch the road show continued by bus to Kortrijk. This trip showed the necessity of sustainable alternatives as the car queue almost made us come too late.
Road Show Kortrijk
In the afternoon of the same 29th of June the SustAccess partner Mobiel inaugurated their new bike point opposite to the station of Kortrijk. Their offices and workshop are at the moment just behind the main street, and it takes some effort to get there from the station. The new shop and cycle repair workshop are just across the road, well visible for any traveler and they will be part of a future transformation of station entrance/exit that will make the natural connection between rail and bike even stronger. The Mobiel bike point (‘fietspunt’ in Dutch) includes services like bike repairs, mobile cycle repair, cleaning facilities, a shop for bikes and spare parts and of course bike rental and cycle package tours.
The vice mayor of the city, Mr. Lieven Lybeer invited us from the gathering point to cycle through the city centre to the station. Well there he revealed the new bike point sign. In her speech the representative from the Belgian railway company NMBS launched the bike point strategy of the national railroad company that will lead to a tight network of cycle facilities in and around all major stations in Belgium. The bike point Kortrijk is the first to carry the new symbol. The cooperation with the NGO Mobiel has been very successful and serves as an example for others. Train and bike are important tools to achieve a modal shift in passenger transport.
| SustAccess Inspiration Seminar |
At the end of March the SustAccess network met in Gothenburg for an inspiring seminar. Big issues like climate change, peak oil and white book on transport were presented in an easy going and relaxed way. The presentations of the different lecturers can be downloaded, just click on the names below and you can download their PowerPoint or PDF.
Meteorologist Mr. Bert Bolin used the overhead in a perfect way, making it impossible to have it presented here. After him Mr. Robert Börjesson (Schenker Consulting) discussed the future of oil resources showing figures on the peaks in the different oil field. In the afternoon Mr. Peder Jensen (European Environment Agency Copenhagen) informed us about the perspectives of the different EU policies concerning future transport. After him Mr. Johan Trouvé (Schenker) invited the politicians to include the transport sector in the green house gas trading system. Mr. Sönke Behrend (Chalmers University) showed how more efficient planning could lead to a better urban gods transport, with the project BUSTRIP as an example. Mr. Jon Halvard Eide showcased what the role can be of the North Sea Commission and focus groups like the one he represents - transport. Finally the Swedish minister of transport and communication Ms. Åsa Torstensson spoke about the role of public authorities in sustainable transport development.
The summary of the different presentations can be found here.
The minister visited the exhibition of the results of the different SustAccess partners from more accessible train stations and bus lines to IT hot stops. From EmsAchse to an improved small inland harbour. From a travel centre to a combi freight terminal. SustAccess has things to show!
| New Combi freight terminal Falköping in function |
The Swedish partner Falköping launched the new combi-terminal with a drum band playing, with speeches outdoors and a mini seminar inside. Over 100 people attended the opening ceremony with the chairman of the regional development committee as an experienced container truck driver. Nice weather made this happening really pleasant.
| Flows: The SustAccess magazine |
In the recently published magazine 'Flows' you can read about all SustAccess partners and their relation to the Hinterland - Gateway theme. You will find a colourful description of best practices around the North Sea. The paper version can be ordered here. If you are curious you can download the best practices of a well functioning Interreg transport project.
| IT Hot Stops launched in Aberdeenshire |
Local businesses and individuals in Aberdeenshire can benefit from the two innovative business centres that provide access to the latest IT equipment, reducing the amount of business commuting at the same time.
These ‘IT Hot Stops’ in Peterhead’s Burnside Business Centre and in the Huntly Learning Centre, have been set up by Aberdeenshire Council with the help of European money. Both towns are situated on a one-hour driving distance from Aberdeen. SustAccess investigates how free access to PCs and video-conferencing equipment can reduce business mileage and the need to travel for meetings.
Besides free access to meeting areas, PC’s, Internet access, video and web conferencing facilities, a printer and a fax machine, the Huntly site provides IT training courses and distance learning on top. All equipment is available for use on a ‘drop-in’ basis.
It is hoped that the video facilities can be used by local students for lectures at the Banff and Buchan College in Fraserburgh and at the universities in Aberdeen, without travelling to these locations.
The launches of the IT Hot Stops – 5 September in Huntly and 7 September in Peterhead – took the form of an open day with SustAccess project officers on hand to provide a showing of the facilities. The Peterhead launch included a videoconference link to the SustAccess Steering Group in Sweden, with a toast from Chairman Elving Andersson.
Les Allan, Aberdeenshire Council Area Manager, commented: “IT Hot Stops do not only signal the introduction of state-of-the-art IT facilities that will increase the productivity and networking abilities of our local businesses. They are also recognition of how we must look to new and innovative ways to combat congestion on Aberdeenshire’s roads.
“I am very supportive of these facilities, and would encourage both the local community and the wider business community to come out and use the IT Hot Stops.”
For further information, visit:
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/transportation/projects/sustaccess.asp
| SustAccess Annual Meeting to be held in Perth (Scotland) September 26–27, 2006 |
The mid term review of the SustAccess achievements until now is showcased as a 'walking exhibition' at Tuesday afternoon. The SustAccess partners will look forward, how to use the last SustAccess year to disseminate the results at a main conference and at 'road shows' in spring 2007. There will also be a discussion about the coming Interreg period and the possibilities for continuation.
As usual SustAccess takes the opportunity to arrange a thematic meeting. This time the Scottish partner Perth & Kinross council arranged a parallel (partly joint) conference with 'Coastlink'. The main theme being the development of small ports and short sea shipping as a perspective to strengthen regional development. For more information see the separate programme.
| Park & Ride Report |
Aberdeenshire Council commissioned Aberdeen University and Derek Halden Consultancy to conduct a review of Park and Ride.
This review is strongly related to the Local Transport Strategy and the Modern Transportation System of the North East Scotland Transportation Partnership called NESTRANS.
It evaluates the work carried out to date and highlights some of the key characteristics of Park and Ride in Aberdeenshire Council.
| Reports |
Reports on the freight and passenger strands.
Improving Connection between Gateways and the Hinterland
Passenger Strand Analysis
| Park & Ride Seminar |
The English partner from Southend attended a Park & Ride seminar in Kristiansand, Norway.
Take a look at the report.
| Southend Victoria Experiment |
On the 9th November the Southend Borough (city council) in England experimented outside Southend Victoria Station to look at the design for a small bus interchange. Currently the Taxis operate on that location and with agreement between them and the Train Operating Company 'ONE'; it was possible to move the taxis onto the station forecourt. The bus stop is at the moment in a tunnel under the shopping centre; the city council wants to re-establish these bus stops in open air and in connection with the station.
The interchange area was shut to traffic and the proposed layout was marked out, the two main bus operators each provided a bus and driver to enable the experiment to be carried out. This was a useful exercise as the plan showed some concerns and potential problems. As a result whilst the buses were on site a revised layout was then decided upon.
The next step will be to analyse the results with comments coming from the bus; train and taxi operators and this will be presented at the consultation planned for mid-December.
| Parallell Sketches in Lidköping |
The planning of the new Travel Centre in Lidköping, Sweden has taken one step further with the initiation of the Parallel Sketch Phase. Three architectural teams, Sweco, Abako/Ramböll and Kanozi/WSP, are asked to develop concept design proposals, each should have a project team that consist at least of an architect, a landscape architect and a traffic planner.
The material available to the teams is extensive and includes a number of reports and other documents that already have been developed through the SustAccess project. It is material such as a background description, passenger surveys, a focus group study, an analysis of consequences and a communication plan. Added to that is a “Programme for Parallell Sketches”, in which the municipality and the regional public transport authority ‘Västtrafik’ express their expectations for the Travel Centre.
On the 27th September a start meeting was held for Västtrafik and the municipality to outline the characteristics of both the proposed Travel Centre and the town it self and for the architectural teams to ask questions. Separate progress meetings are to be held with each team on the 24th October to ensure that their schemes are progressing to plan.
The final presentation of the proposals will take place in Lidköping on the 7th December.