With thousands of residents now living at New Lubbesthorpe and cycling up some 200%* during lockdown
A new free e-bike loan scheme has been launched by the Drummond Estate, in partnership with Go Travel Solutions and Rutland Cycling.
The electric bikes are available to any adult LocalGo members living within the New Lubbesthorpe development. LocalGo is a free-scheme operated by Go Travel Solutions to help promote sustainable travel options for residents. To obtain a free e-bike loan, residents register as a LocalGo New Lubbesthorpe member.
Local company, Rutland Cycling at Everards Meadows, will supply the e-bike, helmet, lock and instructions with loans available for up to 28-days free of charge.
Martin Ward on behalf of the Drummond Estate, explains: “This is just one of the initiatives we are delivering at New Lubbesthorpe to provide attractive and viable alternatives to using the car. The e-bike free loan along with a ‘demand responsive’ bus service and provision for walking and cycling, all help to provide a more sustainable way to live and is one of the reasons this is such a pioneering development.”
Funded by Drummond Estate, ArrivaClick also launched in spring 2019 providing a demand-responsive ride-sharing minibus service to residents which are booked via a mobile app, enabling ride-sharing with others heading in the same direction. With more than 400 homes now occupied and Davidsons, Barratt and David Wilson Homes and Redrow Homes bringing forward new development New Lubbesthorpe is fast becoming a thriving new community. The first primary school opened last year and the development is using new technologies to ensure sustainable travel is an attractive option for those living here.
Go Travel Solutions has been appointed as Travel Plan Coordinators. Robin Pointon, Managing Director of Go Travel Solutions, explained: “Cycling is even more popular since lockdown restrictions began. The service will help residents get experience in using electric bikes over the free month loan period. Hopefully many will go onto purchase them so they can commute to work as well as for leisure when life gets back to normal.”
New Lubbesthorpe is a pioneering new community to the west of Leicester providing new homes, schools, community facilities and an employment park adjacent to the M1/M69. The development will also provide 325 acres of new parklands for local residents to enjoy.
Ultimately the development will deliver up to 4,250 houses, an employment park capable of creating 1,000 jobs, three schools, district and local centres, health facilities and 325 acres of new parklands for all to enjoy.
In addition to being commended by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) in 2018 for the quality of the development, pace of delivery and creation of a true ‘garden community;, the development has also won:
- ‘Housing Initiative Award’ at the national, and prestigious Local Government Chronicle Awards 2019
- ‘Skills and Apprenticeship Scheme Award’ at the East Midlands Insider Property Awards 2019
- ‘Infrastructure Project of the Year’ at the ProCon Leicestershire Awards 2018 (for the delivery of the M1 bridge)
- The Royal Town Planning Institute’s (RTPI) national award for Excellence in Planning to Deliver Homes (projects of over 50 houses).
Image (l-r) Robin Pointon of Go Travel and David Cank from Rutland Cycles with an e-bike
