Dr Bike Day at Orchard Grove: Travel Plan initiative hailed a success

As part of an initiative to promote sustainable travel, residents at Orchard Grove in Comeytrowe were offered free bike servicing at a Dr Bike Day event, hosted by Somerset Council’s Travel Plan team.

The Travel Plan  has been created by Somerset Council, thanks to funding from the Orchard Grove consortium, as part of the planning obligations, and has been designed to encourage residents at the new development to focus on sustainability.

The bespoke Travel Plan pack includes information on: 
•    public transport
•    local walking and cycling routes
•    discount vouchers from local businesses for bicycles, bike maintenance and accessories
•    newsletters, providing updates on the amenities that will be created at Orchard Grove, including the Park and Bus site, and the car club.

Each household also receives a free green travel voucher between £100 - £250 – depending on the number of bedrooms in their home – to spend on sustainable travel items such as bikes, walking boots, fitness monitors or to put towards a bus or train season ticket.

Travel plan coordinator, Lesley Todd from Somerset Council, said: “We are excited to be involved in the delivery of the Travel Plan and it’s great to get out and meet the residents at Orchard Grove to encourage them to travel sustainably. Dr Bike Day enabled the local Travel Plan team to engage with residents, who were very positive about the event, and we’ll continue to be available in the future to provide information and support to help residents travel greener.”

The event took place outside the Bovis Homes and Linden Homes marketing suite. Area sales director, Natasha Palmer, said: “This is a fantastic scheme supporting sustainable travel around Comeytrowe. It really encourages residents to get out and about, stay fit and enjoy our beautiful scenery. The inaugural Dr Bike Day was very popular and I’m sure will be the first of many events!”

Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and South West housing association, LiveWest are part of the consortium responsible for delivering Orchard Grove in Comeytrowe. The development will feature 2,000 homes within two neighbourhoods, a primary school, business park, local centre, park and bus service, plus 100 acres of open green space that will include play areas, allotments and sports pitches.

Clare Biddlecombe, sales manager at LiveWest, commented: “Orchard Grove is in a great position and we want to encourage people to get outside, take advantage of the location and keep fit. The Travel Plan provides residents with useful local information and money saving benefits to promote sustainable travel – it’s brilliant to see events like Dr Bike Day take place.”

Lesley added: “While a successful Travel Plan may help to reduce the use of private vehicles, the impact on the individual users can be far greater, by benefitting their mental and physical health too, so it was wonderful the event was so well received.”

For more details on the Travel Plan email [email protected] and for information on the new homes at Orchard Grove visit www.bovishomes.co.uk and www.lindenhomes.co.uk