Scarborough Group International (SGI) has launched a new Sustainable Transport Plan at its mixed-use destination, Thorpe Park Leeds, setting out steps to reduce car dependency, enhance access by low-carbon travel, and support the site’s occupiers on their journey to Net Zero.
The new five-year plan, developed in collaboration with TPS Transport Consultants, commits to reducing single-occupancy car travel by at least 10% by 2029, through a package of expanded services, infrastructure improvements, and collaborative initiatives with businesses across the park.
Central to the plan is a major shift toward sustainable commuting, with active travel and public transport positioned as the preferred choices for the 7,500 people who work on-site. That shift will be accelerated by the proposed new Thorpe Park railway station, scheduled to open in 2027.
Located within the development itself, the new station will provide direct rail access to Leeds city centre in under eight minutes, unlocking a much wider commuter catchment and making sustainable transport a more convenient option for thousands of employees and visitors.
Adam Varley, development director at SGI, said: “Our sustainable transport vision for Thorpe Park Leeds extends to more than just a planning requirement. Over the last ten years we have invested heavily in upgrading the local infrastructure, providing a more efficient road network, creating new cycle routes and walkways, and supporting a regular bus service directly through the site.
“These provisions have improved traveller choices with some 17% recently stating in response to a site-wide survey that they make sustainable travel choices when commuting to Thorpe Park Leeds, as an alternative to the car. The arrival of a new railway station on site, proposed to be operational in 2027, will most certainly provide an even more diverse range of sustainable travel choices for the communities of East Leeds, along with communities who make onward journeys into Leeds city centre and beyond.
“Thorpe Park Leeds embodies a forward-thinking vision for a business destination, integrating efficient workspaces with vibrant retail and leisure amenities along with extensive public realm. Central to this is our strong commitment to sustainable practice where promoting active travel, public transport, and sustainable vehicle use are not just options, but the preferred choices for commuters.”
The emphasis of the plan is on future change. Measures include targeted support to help occupiers develop bespoke Travel Plans, improve facilities for cyclists, implement EV infrastructure, and adopt car park management strategies. SGI’s ParkLife platform will continue to play a central role, offering free bike maintenance, corporate travel discounts, events and education, as well as access to a Bicycle User Group and journey planning support.
The plan also includes robust monitoring, with annual travel surveys and KPIs to track changes in modal share and carbon emissions. Based on the 2024 travel survey, 68% of employees currently drive alone to work. However, factoring in hybrid working patterns, car use drops to just 37% on an average working day, with around 40% of the workforce already commuting by other means, including public transport, cycling, walking, or car sharing.
John Hacker, director at TPS, said: “Since its establishment in 2000, Thorpe Park Leeds has successfully adopted and matured its sustainable travel plan, which is now deeply integrated into the operational ethos of the park. This latest version of that travel plan, taking us up to 2029, focuses on a collaborative framework involving both site-wide management and individual businesses working in tandem to promote and achieve a shared vision and objectives to achieving Net Zero.
“Across the entire Park of around 7,500 employees, 4 in 10 people chose not to commute by car which is quite impressive for an out-of-town business park.”
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