Wichelstowe scoops top award

The travel plan at Wichelstowe has beaten off all the competition to take the “Residential National Site of the Year” at the Modeshift STARS National Travel Awards.

The awards, presented at a ceremony in London in front of over 200 delegates, honours those that have demonstrated excellence in promoting walking, wheeling, cycling, and the use of public transport for everyday journeys, setting a benchmark for best practice in their sectors.

Swindon Travel Choices deliver the travel plan on behalf of the developers.  They provide travel information to residents when they first move in. Swindon Travel Choices has also created the new Wichelstowe walking magazine and puts on a variety of events from travel roadshows, bike maintenance classes, to guided walks and rides.

As part of the travel plan, residents can apply for taster tickets to try out the bus service and get voucher codes for free rail travel. There is also a resident discount at Mitchell Cycles and a “borrow a bike” scheme to try a pedal or electric bike for six weeks.

During the school summer holidays, a treasure hunt app was developed to encourage families to explore the area and find various items, with small prizes being offered. The ‘hedgehog trail’ will remain in place and can be expanded as the Wichelstowe community grows.

Rob Powe, Development Manager from Wichelstowe LLP said, “It’s been a pleasure to be involved in this year’s sustainable transport initiatives, especially welcoming families to the hedgehog trail and seeing them enjoy the new boardwalk at Wichelstowe. This award highlights the progress we’ve made so far, but we’re excited about upcoming projects like extending the canal towpath and path network. We hope residents and visitors continue to embrace the active lifestyle being shaped here, choosing walking and cycling as their preferred way to travel through the site.”