How Will the New Sustainable Transport Plan Change Commuting at Thorpe Park Leeds?

Let's be honest, the daily commute can be a bit of a drag. Sitting in traffic, hunting for a parking spot… it’s not exactly the best start or end to the day. But what if the place you worked at was actively trying to make getting there easier, cheaper, and a whole lot greener?

Well, that’s exactly what’s happening over at Thorpe Park Leeds. The team behind the huge business and leisure destination, Scarborough Group International, has just rolled out a big new plan to completely rethink the daily journey for the thousands of people who work there. It's all about making sustainable transport the easy choice, not the hard one.

So what's the big plan?

Basically, it’s a five-year mission to get fewer people driving to the park alone. Working with transport experts, Scarborough Group International (or SGI for short) has set a goal to cut single-driver car journeys by at least 10% by the year 2029. This isn't just about ticking boxes; it's a huge part of a bigger goal called Net Zero. You’ve probably heard that phrase before – it’s all about cutting our carbon emissions down as close to zero as possible to help the planet. By making it simpler to use public transport, go cycling, or even just go walking, this plan helps the businesses, or occupiers, at the site on their own journey to Net Zero.

This whole sustainable project is a major piece of property regeneration in action, transforming not just the buildings but how people interact with the entire area. The new sustainable transport plan is designed to improve travel choices for everyone, making the commute less of a headache and more of a breeze. It’s a vision for the future of work, where getting to the office is as smart and forward-thinking as the work done inside it.

A brand new railway station for the park

Now, this is the really exciting bit. The biggest change coming to Thorpe Park Leeds is a brand-new railway station, set to open in 2027. And it’s not going to be miles away; it’s being built right inside the development. Imagine hopping on a train and being whisked directly into Leeds city centre in less than eight minutes. No traffic, no stress. That’s a proper game-changer.

This new infrastructure will make commuting by train a super convenient option for thousands of employees. It opens up the park to people from all over the region, connecting communities in a way that just wasn't possible before. It's not just about getting to work; it's about connecting East Leeds to the wider city and beyond, making the entire area more accessible. This focus on public transport is central to the whole sustainable plan.

Building on what's already working

This new plan isn't starting from scratch. Thorpe Park Leeds is already pretty well-connected. A main bus route runs right through the middle of the site, with regular, subsidised services heading into Leeds city centre. For cyclists, the National Cycle Network Route 66 actually goes through the park, and there are loads of traffic-free paths and cycleways connecting it to nearby neighbourhoods like Colton and Garforth. This makes active travel, like cycling and walking, a realistic choice for many people already.

Adam Varley, a Development Director at SGI, explained that this is about more than just rules they have to follow.

“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 practical steps for a greener commute

So, how are they actually going to get people to leave their cars at home? The plan is packed with practical ideas to support both businesses and their staff. It’s all about working together. Here are some of the things they’re doing:

• Helping the occupiers create their own travel plans tailored to their employees.
• Improving facilities for people cycling to work, making it safer and more convenient.
• Installing more infrastructure for electric vehicles, so people who do drive can go green.
• Using a platform called ParkLife to offer perks like free bike maintenance checks, discounts on travel, and support for planning journeys.

It’s a collaborative effort. By providing these tools and incentives, the goal is to make sustainable travel choices the most appealing option for commuting. Whether it’s walking part of the way or switching to the train, every little bit helps achieve the Net Zero target.

Looking at the numbers

Okay, so it all sounds good, but does it actually work? A survey from 2024 showed that 68% of employees at the park still drive to work alone. That sounds like a lot. But here's the interesting twist: when you factor in hybrid working (people working from home some days), the number of cars on site on an average day drops dramatically. Suddenly, only 37% of the workforce is driving in. That means that right now, around four out of every ten people are already getting to the site by other means – whether that’s public transport, cycling, walking, or sharing a lift. That’s a pretty solid starting point for an out-of-town business park.

John Hacker, a Director at the transport consultancy firm involved, pointed out how far the site has already come.

“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.”

More than just offices

It's important to remember that Thorpe Park Leeds isn't just a collection of office buildings. It's a huge site with over 900,000 sq ft of commercial space, but it’s also home to The Springs retail and leisure centre, which has shops, restaurants, a cinema, and a gym. There's also 150 acres of public parkland. With so much going on, creating a smart, efficient, and sustainable transport network is essential for the whole community.

The entire development in East Leeds is a massive project of property regeneration. It's not just about putting up buildings; it's about creating a place where people can work, relax, and connect. The new transport plan is a key part of that vision, making sure that as the park grows, it does so in a way that’s good for people and the planet.