What is a Mobility Hub?
This definition has been developed for use across Hubs and Halts in Essex:

Mobility Hubs are…
“safe and connected places that facilitate convenient access to public,shared and active travel modes”

Public travel modes refer to the local bus and rail services, whilst shared modes refer to micro-mobility solutions such as e-scooters, bike share facilities, cargo bike hire, and car clubs, and finally active travel modes refer to walking, cycling, and wheeling.

What are the benefits of Mobility Hubs?

• Reclaiming urban space and implementing smart and sustainable transport modes for viable travel alternatives,
• Enhance public transport, promoting user-friendly, accessible, multi-modal travel experience,
• Expand mobility possibilities, promote safe, green, affordable travel options, and improving local economies,
• Hubs improve public spaces, reduce dwell time and reduce crime.

ECC, in collaboration with Tendring District Council and Colchester City Council, have developed a draft plan for the TCB Garden Community which focuses on meeting the needs of a growing population over the next 30 to 40 years through housing developments and transport and infrastructure improvements. Mobility hubs will help to reduce reliance on the car in the Garden Community by encouraging public transport, and sustainable travel connections to and from the proposed RTS stop for those that wish to commute or visit surrounding areas. Facilities such as sheltered cycle parking, car clubs and micromobility such as e-scooters will help to reduce the likelihood of community severance by providing what is required for sustainable first and last mile journeys.

What are we doing to take MHs forward?

• Through a phased delivery approach, mobility hubs and halts will be piloted in new communities and alongside new transport infrastructure,
• Additionally, spatial trip attraction and generation analysis will inform the ideal location of mobility hubs both within new and existing communities.

To ensure that mobility hubs are rolled out coherently and consistently across the county:

• Local authorities will be engaged, and District Level mobility hub champions recruited,
• A procurement review of essential hub components will be undertaken to derive consistency and pricing reliability,
• Updated mobility hub expectations for developers of new communities will be published,
• A branding strategy for the mobility hub network will be developed and consulted on.