What is a Travel Plan ?
A Travel Plan is a package of measures and policies developed by an employer to encourage staff to use sustainable transport modes and to reduce reliance on the car, especially single occupancy car use. The Travel Plan promotes the use of public transport, car sharing and active travel (walking and cycling). The focus of the Travel Plan is on the commuting and business travel elements within an organisation.
The Scottish Executive has set deadlines for the development of effective Travel Plans - all local authorities, major hospitals and health centres are expected to have Travel Plans in place by April 2008.
As well as contributing to Government policies, there are other reasons for having a travel plan, which may be more specific to particular organisations:
- Parking problems.
- Congestion at peak times.
- Providing large car parking areas is costly to organisations.
If organisations intend to expand in the future, they may have to develop and implement a Travel Plan to comply with planning permission.
Planning Advice Note 75 and Scottish Planning Policy 17 provide guidelines, information and advice regarding Travel Plans and planning consent.
The benefits of Travel Planning
- Staff will save money because it is easier for them not to use their car.
- Increased productivity generated by a healthier, more motivated workforce.
- Reduced sickness absence, because employees are participating in regular physical activity which is beneficial to their health.
- Cost savings from reduced business travel.
- Demonstrates that your organisation is a forward-thinking employer.
- Reduced congestion.
- Reduced demand for car parking which could mean substantial savings - the annual cost of a car parking space has been estimated at between £300 and £500.
- Reduced demand for car parking will also result in better access for employees, visitors and deliveries.
- The travel plan may be linked to one of the Environmental Management Systems with a view to achieving certification to ISO 14001.
- Environmental benefits to the local community.
- Good PR for suppliers, visitors and the local community.
