Council and university team up for new travel hub

Derby City Council and the University of Derby have joined forces to create a sustainable travel hub at the university’s Kedleston Road site.

Around 15,000 students and 3,000 staff are based at site, which is two miles from the city centre.

The new hub will be the first of its kind in the city, offering multiple transport choices in one place.

These will include Lime’s Gen4 e-bikes and electric vehicle charging points, to make travel to and from the university easier.

Designed with the capacity to grow as the city’s sustainable travel offer continues to expand, the hub will also become a location for the new Enterprise Car Club, which is launching in Derby later this year.

This pilot will provide the council and university with information about user behaviour, which can be used to develop future mobility hubs within the city.

Funded by £800,000 from the Future Transport Zones fund, the hub will complement the city’s growing active travel offer which gives citizens a range of transport options.

Councillor Carmel Swan, the city council’s cabinet member for climate change, transport and sustainability, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the University of Derby on this innovative project.

“We have been working hard to increase the sustainable and active travel choices available in the city and it’s important that we make sure that these schemes are also accessible to students who choose to study in Derby.

“Providing students and university staff with accessible and affordable alternative transport options will further support our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2035 and enhance Derby’s attractiveness as a leading university city.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: “We welcome this opportunity to work alongside the city council to enhance our sustainable travel facilities for our students and staff.

“This partnership, which is central to our commitment as a civic university to making a positive environmental impact, will benefit the city’s wellbeing and ensure our students have access to healthier and more sustainable travel around the Derby campus.”