The West Midlands is to become the first part of the UK to pilot a network of mobility hubs, after a groundbreaking project was backed by the national charity for shared transport. The Local Travel Points scheme is creating three mobility hubs in the town of Halesowen near Birmingham, reducing the need for private cars and improving air quality.
Two of the three hubs launched in August and have now been awarded gold standard accreditation by Collaborative Mobility UK (CoMoUK), the national shared transport charity.
Mobility hubs bring together a range of transport options and community services in a single, attractive place, making it easier for people to travel without using private cars. Placed strategically in key travel corridors, they seamlessly connect schemes such as shared bikes, e-scooters and car clubs with public transport and other active travel options.
The mobility hub concept is widely applied in many European and North American cities, but this will be the first time in the UK that a network has been created in one area.
The two completed mobility hubs are at Andrew Road by Halesowen bus station and at Huntingtree Park community centre, with a third being planned at Cross Street.
The one-year pilot project is being delivered by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), working closely with Black Country Transport and Dudley Council.
It is part of the region’s Future Transport Zone, a trial programme funded by the Department for Transport to help make journeys easier, smarter and greener.
Each hub brings together a range of transport options and community services, making it much easier for residents and visitors to take short-distance trips without using a car.
Located in residential neighbourhoods, shopping areas, and at transport interchanges, they also create green community focal points so people can get more from their local area.
All three hubs will offer services including bike hire, bike repair and storage, car clubs, EV charging, travel information, parcel lockers and a canopied social space with seating.
They have been specially designed to fit inside existing parking bays and in small public spaces, allowing the concept to be rolled out to any neighbourhood seeking green and active travel options.
Public engagement carried out at the end of last year suggested that the pilot scheme is likely to increase physical activity and reduce car dependence in Halesowen.
Among the benefits for local residents identified by TfWM are:
- Improved accessibility, by bringing travel options closer to communities
- Encouraging active travel, by providing cycle hire services and promoting physical activity
- Enhanced connectivity, by creating connection points between different transport modes
- Increased engagement, by fostering a sense of community in a centralised location
- Reduced traffic, by promoting alternative modes of transportation.
The pilot project will be celebrated at a roadshow hosted by CoMoUK and TfWM in Halesowen on Wednesday, October 2.
Participants will be shown how to use the hubs and have the chance to try out a range of travel options including shared bikes, e-scooters and cars.
Richard-Dilks. Image CoMoUK
Richard Dilks, chief executive of CoMoUK, said: “It’s fantastic that the West Midlands is leading the way by becoming the first part of the UK to build its own network of mobility hubs, and we are certain they will prove popular.
“These small, simple and flexible pieces of transport infrastructure have proved very successful in other parts of the world and there’s every reason to roll them out here too.
“Mobility hubs reclaim space for sustainable, green and convenient modes of transport that is usually taken up by private cars, helping to cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions in the process.
“They also make it far easier for people to get around by creating seamless links between public transport and schemes such as shared bikes, e-scooters and car clubs.
“We congratulate TfWM on its ambitions in this area and hope its example will be followed by local leaders in other towns and cities who want to improve their urban environments.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This roadshow is all about bringing greener, easier transport options like cycle hire and car share right to people’s doorsteps.
“It’s important that our communities get involved and share their feedback. Their input will help us make these local travel hubs even better and bring them to more neighbourhoods across the region.”
