From 2014, WestTrans is inviting local faith sites to sign up to our free Faith Sites Travel Network. Joining the network will provide faith sites with access to a wide range of sustainable travel initiatives. Participating sites will receive advice and information about how to make transport for visitors more sustainable and improve visitor accessibility options. We will also offer participants funding and support for on-site improvements like cycle stands, cycle training, servicing, bike maintenance and assistance to produce site specific 'how to get to' maps and guides. For really proactive faith communities, there will be match-funding opportunities for innovative sustainable travel initiatives to encourage further engagement in active and sustainable travel.

For more information, view the flyer here (.pdf, 451Kb) or get in touch with us on 0208 825 9635 or westtranstraveplans@ealing.gov.uk. To sign up to the Travel Network, fill out this form (.docx, 64Kb) and email it to westtranstravelplans@ealing.gov.uk

(.pdf, 1321Kb)

WestTrans has published a pioneering guide to address the need for smarter travel to faith sites. The guide, produced for WestTrans by Transport & Travel Research Ltd (TTR) explains that faith destinations like churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are often at the heart of communities, providing an opportunity for people of all ages to gather together for regular worship, special events and festivals.

Patterns of worship and special events mean a large number of visitors are attracted to the same place at the same time of day. Often travelling together in family groups, their journeys can have quite an impact on the local area, putting pressure on parking, creating congestion and affecting the environment, health and quality of life.

This is why the faith travel planning guide has a different approach to traditional travel planning (usually for workplaces or schools). The guide includes Smarter Choices solutions which are relevant for people travelling to faith destinations.

The simple faith travel planning guide covers:

• travel plan principles,
• measures,
• management and appraisal,
• survey structures and processes, and
• key lessons learnt from five sites covering the four main faiths in London - Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism (as of the 2001 Census).

A launch event for the guide took place on the 23rd March 2011 with delegates from faith sites, borough officers and inter-faith representatives from across London attending.  Speakers from faith sites with successful travel plans presented their lessons learnt and tips for success in implementing their travel plans. 

Attendees were able to find out how they could:

• Improve access to your site for worshippers, visitors and staff 
• Help to alleviate parking problems
• Reduce congestion around their site
• Help to meet planning requirements
• Increase the number of visitors walking, cycling, car sharing and using public transport to your site
• Take the opportunity to network with other faith site representatives

St Mary's Parish Church in Hampton, London is one of the sites that has benefited from a faith Travel Plan through this pilot project. Derek Winterburn, Vicar and self-nominated Travel Plan Coordinator of St Mary's Parish Church says "What an excellent and comprehensive document"

While John Denniss, (Travel Plan Coordinator and congregation member,

Christ Church, Turnham Green) stated, "I think that the document is most impressive, motivational, and a very useful guide".

Matthew Prince at Transport for London also supports the development of the guide, "It is well presented and easy to follow and understand. I can see this being a very useful document to a lot of people and other boroughs too".

WestTrans encourages Developers, Consultants, Travel Plan Coordinators and Council Officers who develop, appraise, or implement destination travel plans for faith sites to download the free-of-charge faith travel planning guide from www.westtrans.org/travelplans. 

If you have any questions about the event or the guide then don't hesitate to get in touch with a member of the WestTrans team on 020 8825 9635, westtranstravelplans@ealing.gov.uk