1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of a Travel Plan
1.1.1 Travel Plan is a general term for a package of measures tailored to the needs of individual sites and aimed at promoting more sustainable travel choices and reducing reliance on the car. Travel Plans help reduce the impact of travel on the environment; they can encourage greater levels of physical activity; and they also make good business sense. They can cut congestion around a location, improve neighbourhood relations and save money on business travel. A Travel Plan can also help attract staff to sites which would otherwise be difficult to access.
1.1.2 Introducing a Travel Plan involves the development of a set of mechanisms, initiatives and targets which will bring a number of benefits to our staff. It is a dynamic process that will grow and develop with time and in accordance with our changing circumstances and the environment in which we work. It is not a one-off event to be undertaken and completed, nor is it a document to be produced and put on a shelf. The Travel Plan is a working document which outlines our proposed direction. The specific actions and measures will be developed and consulted upon as and when required.
1.1.3 The travel hierarchy upon which this Travel Plan is based is provided below:
1. need for travel - can a telephone call, video conference or e-mail deliver the same outcome;
2. walking - the healthiest and cheapest form of transport, negligible carbon emissions and flexibility, viable for journeys up to 2 km;
3. cycling - a healthy and cheap form of transport, negligible carbon emissions, reliable and flexible for journeys up of 5 km;
4. bus / rail - improved productivity of workforce on medium to long distance essential trips;
5. taxi - necessary for some trips, but shared trips should be offered where possible;
6. private car - better with more than one occupant, but sometimes the only option but should consider using pool, lease or a hire car suitable for your specific journey. Issues with congestion, parking space, high carbon emissions per head; and
7. air travel - sometimes the only option - high carbon emissions, high in cost, but may sometimes be cheaper in monetary terms than rail and use of time.
1.1.4 Meeting stakeholders, partners and colleagues is a vital part of how the Government carries out its duties and travel still remains necessary in support of this. It still remains important that travel is planned in the main to maximise your time and those you are proposing to meet. If arranging meetings you should also consider the value each person will be adding, it may be possible for others to represent your views and provide you with feedback.
1.1.5 Carbon offsetting is a complex controversial mechanism used to 'offset' the carbon emissions from a product or service by purchasing a carbon reduction through carbon sequestration or improving efficiency and the use of renewable sources. This Travel Plan places carbon reduction as its first objective, with carbon offsetting used where the emissions can not be avoided. In practice this means that we will offset emissions from air travel, but discourage air travel itself, if there is a reasonable alternative. This concept is similar to the "reduce, re-use and recycle" concept associated to managing waste.
1.1.6 An integral part of the Travel Plan is the appointment of a Travel Plan Co- ordinator, who is critical to its delivery, development and promotion. Such an appointment has now been made. Experience has also shown that senior management responsibility for implementing the Travel Plan also has a significant impact on the behaviour of the organisation. The People and Innovation Group have approved this plan and will receive regular reports about its implementation.
1.2 The benefits of a Travel Plan
1.2.1 Travel Plans provide a number of benefits, not only to the individual but to the workforce and the wider community. It can:
1. Provide financial savings especially by eliminating some meetings, replacing them with video conferencing but also by reducing costs of maintaining and providing secure car parking spaces;
2. Achieve carbon reduction and other environmental gains by promoting and catering for more sustainable modes of travel;
3. Produce a healthier workforce by promoting active travel or through staff using less stressful modes of travel;
4. Achieve a more productive workforce by reducing the need to travel and providing the opportunity to work whilst on route to meetings;
5. Provide a wide range of travel opportunities.