Thanks to the funding from Orchard Grove consortium, we partnered up with Somerset Council to launch a new Travel Plan at our new development to encourage residents to focus on sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.
The Travel Plan includes information on public transport, local walking and cycling routes, discount vouches from local businesses for bicycles and newsletters.
Orchard Grove is one of our new open space developments in Comeytrowe, Taunton with Bovis Homes and Linden Homes which will be the place of 2,000 homes across two neighbourhoods.
Clare Biddlecombe, our Sales Manager, said: “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.”
With simple changes to a daily routine quickly reducing the number carbon emissions, like walking to your local shop, the Travel Plan explored different ways to be eco-friendly when you travel.
To help people take one more step to sustainable travel, each household also receives a free green travel voucher between £100 - £250 – depending on the number of bedrooms in their home.
This green voucher will be used on sustainable travel items. The voucher can be used on bikes, walking boots, fitness monitors or to use for a bus or train season ticket.
Lesley Todd, Somerset Council’s Travel Plan Coordinator, 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.
“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.”
As the event took place outside the Bovis Homes and Linden Homes marketing suite, Natasha Palmer, Sales Director, 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!”
In partnership with Vistry Group, our new development will also have a primary school, business park, local centre, park and bus service as well as 100 acres of open green space with play areas, allotments and sports pitches.
By Creating Greener Futures Together, we have incorporated lots of open and green spaces to explore at Orchard Grove, to encourage more residents to explore nature and care for the environment.
With the new Travel Plan, we hope the Dr Bike Day event encouraged more of our residents to take a greener travel approach at Orchard Grove.