The focus of Strategic Plan was on improving the transport system for local people and businesses ensuring integration between different transport modes. It was critical to provide genuine alternatives to the car to improve accessibility, but also to facilitate modal shift to more sustainable modes and reduce carbon emissions. This meant improving walking and cycling networks and making sure that the public transport network was fit for purpose now and in the future.
Ethos were required to manage a 12-week public consultation process, that included both digital engagement using our consultation hub, and survey tool, alongside a series of roadshows across the five constituent Local Authorities, Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton on-Tees.
Our involvement was split across two stages. The first stage involved supporting the Tees Valley Combined Authority develop the Strategic Transport Plan, and supporting implementation plans that included:
The Strategic Transport Plan was developed to benefit everyone in Tees Valley, working towards the longer-term aspiration to provide a world-class transport system. The Plan included a vision, which was “To provide a high quality, quick, affordable, reliable, low carbon and safe transport network for people and freight to move within, to and from Tees Valley.”
Prior to implementing the Strategic Transport Plan, it was necessary for us to setup and manage a comprehensive public consultation process that would capture stakeholder views across the entire region. This needed to include both in-person events and a digital engagement tool.
We arranged a 12-week consultation, working with Combined Authority Communication officers to promote the process throughout the Tees Valley region. This included press releases, local radio adverts, newsletters, and social media posts. The communication was undertaken both on the lead-up, and through the 12-week consultation to keep interest high. Targeted campaigns were arranged based on the location of our in-person roadshow events across the five key towns.
Our project team held drop-in sessions in each of the five towns on two occasions across a two-week period. This included a day-time session, and early evening session to maximise engagement. Over 500 stakeholders attended one of the drop-in sessions. These were supported by our team attending a number of events / meetings such as disability, and elderly groups as protected characteristics.
The digital consultation included use of our consultation hub that allowed the Strategic Transport Plan and supporting Implementation Plans to be uploaded, along with various other documentation such as FAQs, as well as a survey seeking feedback on the Plans. Over 1,500 completed surveys were received from a range of age groups, and locations across the region providing a good sample.
A detailed consultation feedback report was prepared that summarised the findings of the 12-week consultation. This included the level of support for the objectives of the Plan, as well as the Implementation Plans. Comments were also summarised to create themes that could be addressed as part of the completion of the final Plan documents.
The Strategic Transport Plan has since been used to secure significant levels of funding to improve the transport network in the Tees Valley. This has included significant improvements to rail stations, the delivery of new walking and cycling infrastructure, new strategic roads to reduce local congestion, and a new Tees crossing.
