Coventry to push transport approach at MIPIM

A NEW approach to transport is to be showcased by Coventry at the important MIPIM inward investment and property development show in Cannes next week.

City planners are taking advantage of the fact that it has several major city centre developments ready for take- off to reform the way transport is planned in its centre.

Coventry City Council is working with developers and the strategic transport authority Centro to ensure that the ability to move people by all forms of transport across the whole of the city are factored in when individual developments are being planned.

It believes that careful planning of transport and developments in harness could stimulate the economy of the city, making it more attractive and efficient to inward investors.

Three major developments – Friargate, Bishopsgate and South Side – are all being designed with transport playing a bigger, and earlier, role than has been customary in the UK.

Martin Reeves, chief executive of Coventry City Council, said: “Coventry has embarked on major development works which will transform the city centre and that has allowed us to probably take a more holistic approach than we ever have before.

“We are looking at planning and development strategically because this is the best opportunity we have had for 50 years to look at the subject of city centre planning and how transport – by whatever form – should work for the benefit of everyone.

“Across the UK developments are very well planned and transport is well considered – but usually only in the confines of those particular developments.

“The way we are working now means that the effects of transport within a development have to take into account the needs of the wider city, the low carbon agenda and other developments, as well as access in and out of Coventry and to and from strategic points within it.”