ITP appointed to support EMCCA’s Hope Valley ‘Mini Switzerland’ project

Improving connectivity through an integrated and sustainable transport network

Integrated Transport Planning (ITP) has been appointed by the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to provide programme management and technical support to deliver the Hope Valley Rural Transport Project – a pioneering initiative that aims to create a national demonstrator of integrated rural public transport in the UK, inspired by the Swiss model.

Backed by £12 million of investment, including £6 million of Department for Transport funding and £6 million of EMCCA funding, the three-year programme will focus on improving public transport connectivity across the Hope Valley in the Peak District.

The project will focus on better connections between bus and rail services, increased bus frequencies, improved interchange areas, integrated ticketing, clearer passenger information, marketing, and a new community engagement and stakeholder model.

ITP will act as EMCCA’s programme support partner, working closely with stakeholders across the region to help coordinate delivery, monitor performance, evaluate outcomes and ensure lessons learnt can inform future rural transport policy and investment across the UK.

The appointment builds on ITP’s extensive experience delivering bus service improvements, rural mobility and transport integration programmes, including recent support for Derbyshire’s Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) and other major public transport initiatives across the country.

The project seeks to address some of the key transport challenges facing rural communities and visitor destinations, including car dependency, congestion, parking pressures and access to services. By improving coordination between transport modes and making public transport easier to understand and use, the programme aims to support both local residents and the millions of visitors who travel to the Peak District each year.

Pete Mathieson continues: "By bringing together operators, stakeholders and transport experts, we aim to create a more joined-up and accessible public transport network, whilst developing a national demonstrator that can help shape the future of rural transport. We are pleased to be working with ITP as our programme support partner to help turn this ambition into reality."

Denise Faber continues: "We are delighted to have been appointed to support EMCCA on this exciting and ambitious project. Our team has extensive experience working across Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands, and we look forward to supporting EMCCA and its partners in delivering a project that could help shape the future of rural transport policy nationwide."