Green Transport Strategy

A Green Travel Plan
for Employees of Stafford Borough Council

| A Green Travel Plan for Employees of Stafford Borough Council (pdf) |

WHY HAVE A GREEN TRAVEL PLAN?

WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
Staff
Local Community
Borough Council

HOW DO WE INTEND TO ACHIEVE THESE BENEFITS?
Background
Means to Achieve Change

OUR PLAN
Aims
Targets
Travel to Work
Car-Sharing
Walking
Cycling
Public Transport
Work-Related travel
Monitoring

THE WAY FORWARD

OVERVIEW OF GREEN TRAVEL INITIATIVES

GENERAL INITIATIVES AND PROMOTION

Appendix 1

Why have a Green Travel Plan?

In 1997 there were almost 27 million vehicles in use on Britain's roads. Forecasts suggest that by the year 2020 there could be as many as 32 million cars on the roads. Over the last decade average daily traffic flows on our road system have increased by between 20% and 40%, severely disadvantaging everyone . In 1996 the C.B.I stated that traffic congestion was costing the British Economy £19 billion per year.
Road traffic poses serious threats to the health of the planet too. It produces 88% of the UK's carbon monoxide and accounts for at least 20% of UK emissions of carbon dioxide . In Stafford Borough, National Air Quality Standards may not be met for nitrogen dioxide from traffic and it is likely that air quality objectives for particulates will be breached .
But the picture is not all gloomy. Nationally, 30% of all car journeys are less than two miles and 72% are under five miles2 . There is therefore potential for a substantial modal shift in transport patterns.
This is Stafford Borough Council's own Green Travel Plan. It demonstrates our commitment to reducing the impact of travel on the environment by minimising the amount of unnecessary travel and by encouraging those who have to travel to do so in a more environmentally friendly way.
It contains a number of measures that will allow staff to make more informed choices about how they travel and provides the support to promote more sustainable ways of getting around.

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A Green Travel Plan will produce real benefits for:

Staff
· increased travel choices
· improved health, reduced stress
· travel cost savings: through discount travel cards, using cheaper alternatives and car-sharing
· equal opportunity: by supporting those staff who, out of necessity or choice, do not use a car

Local Community
· a healthier, more attractive environment in which to live and work
· cleaner air and less traffic
· supporting cycling and walking and the use of public transport will help to improve facilities for all

Borough Council
· healthier and more motivated staff
· better forward planning in conjunction with the principles of Best Value
· reduced congestion and improved access to sites for visitors and customers
· leading by example: demonstrating good environmental and transport practice to other local employers

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Background:

The Green Travel Plan has taken time to develop and is based on the findings of a survey on travel and opinions of 653 staff, conducted in January 2000. The results of this survey have been used to guide the development of the Plan.

The survey revealed the usual method of travel to work to be:

· in the car alone 61%
· in the car with someone else 22%
· by public transport 6%
· walk 9%
· cycle and motorcycle 2%

The survey also highlighted the fact that 50% of staff live within 4 miles of work and of these, over half travel to work in the car on their own. There is seen to be potential here for greater use of alternative forms of transport, e.g. walking, cycling, public transport an car-sharing. In fact more than half the respondents indicated that they would, with the right support, consider car-sharing for at least some of their journeys to work.

Staff were asked as part of the survey to indicate the issues that prevented them from using alternatives to the car. Many of these were lifestyle issues, however, particular concerns raised, that the County Council can help to address, are:

· car users requirements to bring a car to work every day
· lack of provision and high costs of public transport
· disincentives for cycling and walking e.g. lack of showers, weatherproof cycle storage, safe routes.

Means to Achieve Change:

· publicising the wide benefits of sustainable travel
· provision of incentives and appropriate facilities
· encouragement and commitment from senior staff in support of the objectives and principles of sustainable transport
· publicising initiatives to all staff
· setting practical and realistic goals for individual departments
· on-going monitoring and adjustment

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Aims:

Based on the survey results and research into other Local Authority green Travel Plans, we have identified three key aims for our own Green Travel Plan. These are to:
· reduce the overall amount of car travel, particularly drive-alone journeys
· increase the use of alternative modes of transport
· provide opportunities for reducing the need to travel for work purposes

This Green Travel Plan covers an initial period of five years, in line with the time scale of the Local Transport Plan. It will be updated regularly and amended where necessary during that period.

Targets:

To help us measure the success of our Green Travel Plan we have set some general targets that we feel are realistic, challenging yet achievable. The following are targets for the period 2000 to 2005.

· Increase cycling, walking and public transport journeys to work to 25% of total journeys made
· Reduce the number of drive-alone car journeys to work by 10%
· reduce the recorded business mileage by car by 10%

Travel To Work

It is recognised at the outset that individual staff have varied personal travel needs. For instance, car sharing or the use of alternative forms of transport will not suit everyone all the time. Yet there are many easy steps which can be taken towards more sustainable travel. A wide range of attractive incentives are needed to encourage staff to reconsider their own transport options and to make informed changes.

In the Staff Travel Survey a number of common concerns were identified as deterrents to alternative modes of travel. It is proposed to address these issues in particular by:

· reviewing the current essential car user requirements to bring a car to work every day
· the promise of a free ride home in the event of an emergency or other unforeseen circumstance
· providing secure, weatherproof cycle parking facilities at major sites
· providing changing facilities and showers where needed
· providing interest-free or low interest loans, with monthly deductions from salary, to purchase a bike and safety equipment or an annual public transport ticket
· general promotion of initiatives and benefits
· developing a 'green travel' information and advice page on the Borough Council's intranet system

Additional, more specific measures will be introduced including:

Organised car-sharing is one way to reduce the numbers of cars on the road. There are distinct advantages to car-sharing including door-to-door travel, flexibility, saving money and socialising. Results from the Staff Travel Survey indicates that 57% of SBC respondents would consider sharing a car for at least some of their journeys to work. Car sharing, even for only a couple of days a week can be a successful way to reduce vehicle trips to work.

To encourage this we will:

· set up a database to match suitable car-share partners
· allay fears of travelling with a stranger by promoting car-share 'post-code coffee clubs' at work, where prospective members can get to know each other

Walking is a mode of transport that is non-polluting, consumes negligible natural resources yet is highly efficient. Regular walking can play an important role in maintaining good health. Yet of the 30% of SBC respondents who could potentially walk easily to work, i.e. live less than 2 miles away, the survey indicates that only 30% of those do walk most of the time.

Walking will be encouraged through:

· the creation of a local Walking Strategy
· improving safety and security for pedestrians
· improvements to local footpaths around Stafford
· development of 'Doorstep Walks for Health'
· publicity to promote the considerable health benefits of walking
· support of a liaison with the Stafford Borough Walking Working Group

Cycling is efficient, healthy and does not harm the environment. Travel costs are low and traffic jams can often be avoided. Only 2% of Borough Council staff who returned the survey form cycle as their main form of transport and 5% cycle occasionally.
The survey clearly shows that there is potential to increase bicycle commuting levels, so long a the barriers deterring cycling can be overcome.

Cycling will be encouraged through:

· the creation of a local Cycling Strategy
· extending and improving safe cycling infrastructure
· expanding provision of secure and convenient cycle parking
· providing access to shower facilities and lockers for cycling equipment
· negotiated staff discounts to purchase cycles and equipment from local retailers, as well as an interest free or low interest loan facility
· access to free adult cycle training, refresher and maintenance courses
· cycling mileage allowance of 12p per mile for work-related journeys
· provision of 'pool bikes' for work travel
· piloting the use of an electric bike for work travel
· provision of a comprehensive map showing suitable cycle routes around Stafford
· support of a and liaison with the Stafford Borough Cycle Working Group
· continuation of recreational rides via the Bicycle Users Group (BUG)
· promotional events within Green Transport Month

Public transport has the potential to move large numbers of people to and from work. From the travel survey results there does seem to be a willingness to use busses - and trains to a lesser extent - if prices, reliability, regularity and quality were improved.

To encourage a switch to public transport we will:

· negotiate and promote a discount public transport travel card with ARRIVA, Midlands North and other operators
· provide up-to-date public transport information at the workplace
· work with operators to achieve improvements in information, quality and reliability within Stafford Borough

There is a need to travel to sites, local office and meetings as part of normal work for many staff. Such journeys are almost entirely made by car, but there are opportunities to increase the proportion of 'greener trips'

Staff will be encouraged to use alternatives where possible and practical. The following measures will be undertaken:

· development of an effective means of analysing and monitoring business travel, including mileage
· organising work patterns to minimise travel
· development of information systems to enable combined officer travel
· provision of 'pool bikes'
· make available public transport travel costs for business travel
· promote up-to-date public transport information at the workplace
· explore and consult with relevant trade unions on the development of policies on terms and conditions, which may include:
· flexible working arrangements such as home-working, 'nine day fortnights' and annualised hours, where appropriate
· sliding scales of relocation allowances
· revision of mileage rates
· company car policy
· car parking
· investigate opportunities to 'green' local authority car fleet
· conversion to liquid petroleum gas

We will conduct annual Staff travel Surveys and will require regular reports from departmental co-ordinators. Close monitoring and review of the Green Travel Plan is essential in several areas:

· changes in staff travel behaviour: the Staff Travel Survey has provided base line data for this Plan. Follow up surveys will be conducted annually
· take-up of travel offers: participation in the car-sharing scheme and take-up of public transport travel cards will be monitored. These offers will be reviewed, where necessary, after a trial period
· effect on mileage claims: it will be essential to monitor car mileage claims, as well as allowances claimed for cycling.

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We are determined to make this Green Travel Plan work. The involvement and commitment of all of our staff will be essential. Every individual contribution is valuable - the smallest change in travel habits by a large number of people can have a major impact on the negative effects of transport on the health, economy and environment of our Borough.
In order to carry this plan forward there will be a central team of co-ordinators drawn from each local authority department with overall responsibility for planning and implementing the initiatives. They will also act as central contacts point on green travel issues.
Above all we want all staff to own this Green Travel Plan - its success will be everyone's success.

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Policy and Strategic Background to Green Transport Strategy

· A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone. The Government's White Paper on the future of Transport, July 1998, CM3950. This sets the framework for a more integrated transport policy in the UK: more travel choice, better public transport, tackling congestion and pollution.
· Agenda 21: Action Plan for the Twenty First Century, endorsed at the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development, 1992. Recommended that all countries should produce national sustainable development strategies.
· Local Agenda 21 Strategies for Stafford Borough, June 1997. Seeks to achieve sustainable transport within the Borough and in the Council's operations. Working groups on Walking, Cycling and Green Commuting exist.
· A Better Quality of Life for Sustainable Development for the UK. May 1999, CM4345. Provides a national focus on sustainable development from which local and regional action will follow. Progressing towards sustainable transport is seen as a key objective.
Proposed policy measures include
a) local transport plans
b) revisions to planning guidance and new regional transport strategies in England and Wales with emphasis on siting major developments where good public transport exists or can be extended
c) powers for local authorities to levy charges on road users or on workplace parking, with revenues ploughed back into better local transport
d) a new Strategic Rail Authority; and measures to ensure better bus services and better management and maintenance of trunk roads and motorways
e) promoting alternatives to the car through green transport and school travel plans
A new Commission on Integrated Transport will advise on targets, including for public transport and on road traffic.
· Our Healthier Nation: a contract for health. July 1999, CM 3854. This White Paper proposes national targets to improve health and reduce health inequalities. The Health Improvement Programme for Stafford Borough promotes, inter alia, walking, cycling and public transport initiatives, Safer Routes to School, Doorstep Walks and Workplace Transport Initiatives.
· Environmental Taxation: Statement of Intent, July 1997. Move to reform the tax system in ways which will deliver a more dynamic economy and a cleaner environment. The 1999 Budget included the biggest ever package of tax reforms to protect the environment, including:
a) a fuel duty differential in favour of 'ultra-low sulphur diesel'
b) a commitment to increase duty on petrol and diesel each year by 6% above inflation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from road transport
c) a long term, revenue neutral reform of company car taxation to remove the incentive to drive additional business miles, and encourage the uptake of more fuel efficient vehicles
d) from June 1999, a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty to £100 for cars with the smallest engine sizes
· Tomorrow's Tourism: a growth industry for the new Millennium. A new strategy for tourism in England. Department for Culture, Media and Sport, February 1999. The approach set out includes addressing transport and planning issues by integrating tourism with public transport.
· Sustainable Distribution Strategy, published March 1999. Seeks to reduce waste through, amongst other things, minimising vehicle operations and making best use of existing infrastructure including rail , waterways and coastal shipping. Measures include improved planning to integrate transport networks.
· Planning for sustainable Development: Towards Better Practice, October 1998. This gives advice to local authorities on how to build sustainable development into development plans and planning decisions, with emphasis on sustainable transport planning.
· Best Value Performance Plans will need to reflect local authorities' corporate objectives, including sustainable development and environmental matters.
· Setting Environmental Standards. Royal Commission on Environmental pollution, CM4053, October 1998.
· Review of National Air Quality Strategy: proposal to amend the strategy, January 1999, DETR. The Government's integrated transport policy has a major role to play in reducing pollution.
· UK Climate Change Programme: a consultation paper, October 1998. Cuts in emissions of greenhouse gases are sought. Meeting the challenges will entail cutting road traffic emissions through more fuel efficient vehicles and reducing people's need to travel by car.

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