NEW local travel hubs that aim to encourage sustainable transport options for short trips are being rolled out across Halesowen as part of a trailblazing pilot scheme.
The first two hubs, known as Local Travel Points, have been installed at Huntingtree Park and Andrew Road, by Halesowen Bus Station.
A third will open on Cross Street later this summer as part of the year-long pilot project.
The modular hubs have been designed to bring together a range of local travel and community services to suit the location to offer alternative and convenient options for trips around the local area.
At the pilot locations, people can access West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes and eBikes, secure bike storage, a cycle tool station and passenger information.
Seating, canopies and benches have also been installed to help revitalise the public realm.
Electric car charging and by-the-hour ‘car club’ car rental will also be introduced soon.
The Local Travel Point at Cross Street will feature a public sculpture co-created by Black Country artist Tom Hicks and the community.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and IKON Gallery commissioned the three-dimensional artwork, celebrating the industrial heritage of the Black Country.
People in Halesowen will be encouraged to use the new services through a series of offers.
In the coming weeks, residents will be given 100 minutes of West Midlands Cycle Hire credit, redeemable until the end of summer. Six months of free secure cycle storage will also be available.
The £400,000 project has been designed and developed by TfWM in partnership with Dudley Council and Black Country Transport, and it is being funded as part of the region’s Future Transport Zone.
The initial three installations will pave the way for more Local Travel Points to be rolled out across the region.
TfWM, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has already earmarked funding from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement to support additional installations.
Future locations could have extra features added to suit the area including e-scooter hire and eBike charging facilities.
To gauge the impact of the scheme, the public and stakeholders are being asked to have their say online at https://pointshalesowen.commonplace.is/
“They will link up services like cycle hire with the wider bus, rail and tram networks meaning residents in Halesowen can get further across the West Midlands using greener transport.
"Our investment in this pilot scheme is just the beginning, with the potential to roll these hubs out to more neighbourhoods across our region.
“I want our local transport system to work for all of our residents, and to ensure everyone, wherever they are in the region, can access the services they need.
“The success of these hubs will play a crucial role in shaping our transport network – one that will keep our region moving now and in the future."
Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for highways and environment, added: “As a local authority committed to achieving net zero by 2030, I am thrilled to see this pilot scheme installed across parts of the Dudley borough.
“These innovative travel hubs offer residents a convenient and sustainable alternative to traditional car travel, and by promoting active travel options like cycling, we can collectively contribute to a healthier community.”
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