Thorpe Park Leeds has become the first business park in West Yorkshire to achieve an official ‘Walk Friendly Workplace’ accreditation. It was presented through CityConnect Walking, a joint initiative with UK Charity Living Streets which supports improvements to sustainable and active travel on behalf of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The award is the result of a commitment by joint development partners Scarborough International Properties and Legal & General Capital to implement initiatives that give travel support to over 4,000 people that currently work at Thorpe Park Leeds.
Simon Marshall, Joint Chief Executive at Scarborough International Properties said, “We are thrilled to lead by example with this worthy award. This is a testament to our site management team that continuously encourage and support employees to take up active and sustainable travel modes at Thorpe Park Leeds.
“Through the very specialist expertise of our retained travel planning consultants TPS we are able to offer unrivalled assistance to those wishing to walk as part of their commute or during their working day at Thorpe Park Leeds. Indeed, we have initiatives in place to support all sustainable methods of transport to, from and around this site.
“If we are to fulfil our vision to become the most accessible and successful out of town business park in the North, then we must demonstrate best practice and this is part of that.”
Employees at Thorpe Park Leeds can access a depth of useful information on the benefits of walking for health, local leisure routes and walking apps through a dedicated community website – www.thorpepark-parklife.co.uk
As part of this ‘ParkLife’ community initiative, a proactive Travel Plan programme provides free support for scooting, cycling, public transport and sustainable car use as well as walking.
Thorpe Park Leeds became ‘Bike Friendly Business’ accredited earlier this year and offers free Dr. Bike servicing along with a communal bike fix-it stand for employees to make minor repairs themselves whilst at work. During the 2016 ‘Bike Bonanza’, free cycle training, maintenance classes and led cycle rides were held, along with a charity bike amnesty.
A unique discount scheme is also available with Arriva buses for those that work at Thorpe Park Leeds which also has its own car share database. Any employees that are unsure of their travel options can request a personalised journey plan – offering bespoke advice and recommendations on journey options.
The support extends to more strategic planning for businesses thinking of relocating to Thorpe Park Leeds. The free service advises on relocation and provides technical reports for realising the travel and transport impacts on the business and/or employees.
Thorpe Park Leeds is already well established and home to over 60 businesses. Phase two is currently under development to provide 1.35 million sq ft of mixed accommodation with a new 350,000 sq ft shopping and leisure park and the first phase of 940,000 sq ft of offices. The development also includes 300 new homes by Redrow and a 113-acre public park with sports facilities.
The award-winning development has dedicated access to Junction 46 of the M1 and has been chosen for the new railway station, ‘East Leeds Parkway’ and associated park and ride, connecting the park directly to Leeds city centre in just eight minutes. This forms part of a £270 million infrastructure investment into Leeds by the Department of Transport.