Day 066 — Listening: Urban Transportation Planning

Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming to today's community briefing. My name is Sarah Ogden, and I'm the Senior Transport Planner at Westford City Council. Over the next 20 minutes, I'll be outlining the key features of our new Urban Mobility Strategy, which we're planning to implement over the next five years.

First, let me give you some background. Westford's population has grown by 18% over the last decade, and as a result, traffic congestion has become a significant problem — particularly during the morning rush hour, which now peaks between 7:45 and 9:15 AM. Average commuting times have increased by 12 minutes compared to 2016, which is costing residents both time and money.

So, what are we planning to do? The strategy has four main pillars.

The first pillar is expanding the bus network. We will be adding 6 new bus routes, focusing on the northern and eastern suburbs, which are currently underserved. The new routes will be running on a dedicated bus lane to avoid traffic delays. Fares on these routes will be subsidised by the Council for the first 24 months to encourage uptake.

The second pillar is the Westford Cycle Network. We're investing £3.2 million to build 45 kilometres of protected cycle lanes across the city. A key feature will be the Cycle Hub at the main train station, which will include secure bicycle storage for up to 300 bikes, as well as shower facilities for commuters.

Third is demand management. Starting from April next year, private vehicles will be charged a daily fee of £4.50 to enter the city centre between 7 AM and 7 PM on weekdays. Revenue from this scheme will be reinvested directly into public transport improvements. Residents who live within the charging zone will be eligible for a 50% discount.

The fourth pillar is smart technology. We'll be installing real-time digital information displays at all major bus stops. A new smartphone app — called WestfordGo — will allow users to plan door-to-door journeys, purchase tickets, and receive live updates on service disruptions. The app is expected to launch in March next year.

Finally, I'd like to mention our public consultation process. We are asking residents to submit feedback via our website or at one of three drop-in sessions. The first session will be held at Westford Town Hall on the 5th of July, from 2 PM to 6 PM. Your input will help us refine the strategy before it goes to the Council for final approval in September.