Travel gets greener for university students and staff

People stand next to a sustainable building which is home to the new sustainable travel hub at the university of derby

20 March 2025

A new sustainable travel hub at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road site is now open, giving students and staff greater choice when deciding how to travel.

Home to the new hub, Kedleston Road is the University’s largest site, two miles from the city centre.

Now, thanks to a partnership between Derby City Council and the University of Derby, students and staff can take full advantage of the city’s growing sustainable transport offer. The first-of-its-kind in the city, the hub has been designed with the capacity to grow as Derby’s sustainable travel offer continues to expand.

To begin with, the hub offers:

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, said:

“I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to partner with the University of Derby to bring this new travel hub to life. A big thanks to everyone from the council and University, as well as our partners, for all their hard work to bring this project to fruition.

“We’ve made great progress over the past few years to expand and diversify the sustainable transport choices available across the city and it’s vital that we make sure that these schemes are also accessible to students who choose to study in Derby.

“Providing students and University staff with accessible and affordable alternative transport options will further support our climate ambitions and enhance Derby’s attractiveness as a leading university city.”

Stephen Dudderidge, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Derby, officially opened the hub with members from Derby City Council. He said: 

“We are delighted to launch the new sustainable travel hub at our Kedleston Road Campus, providing greater access to sustainable travel options for our students, staff, partners, and visitors.

“We understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint and supporting the sustainability of our environment. From our estate to our teaching, learning and research, we are making a concerted effort to reduce our emissions, set green targets and put sustainability at the heart of our growth and development plans, and this new travel hub reinforces this commitment.”

Work began on site in late 2024 and the hub was officially opened on Friday 14 March ahead of the University’s Go Green Week; an annual event to encourage staff, students and visitors to consider making greener choices.  

The hub, funded by £800,000 from the Government’s Future Transport Zones Fund, complements the city’s growing active travel offer which gives citizens a range of sustainable transport options.

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