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Areas of activity

The Council's Travel Plan

What is a Travel Plan?

A Travel Plan is a package of measures which aims to reduce the number of car journeys that people make, by providing them with a greater choice of attractive travel options. This is achieved by:

• providing realistic alternatives to lone driving (also known as ‘single occupancy car use’);
• making these alternatives more attractive;
• reducing people’s need to travel, for example through flexible working practices.

A workplace travel plan can address any or all of the following:

• commuter journeys
• business travel
• fleet management
• visitors to sites
• deliveries.

Fact: About 60 percent of all commuter trips under five miles in length are made by car. Trips of fewer than five miles are ideal for cycling journeys, or for combining walking with public transport. (Source: National Statistics / DfT 2007 )

Fact: Traffic levels in West Yorkshire increased by 12 percent between 1997 and 2007, a figure comparable with increases across the country. Employers have a crucial role to play in reducing traffic within the region.(Source: DfT 2008)

Why have a Travel Plan?

Having a Travel Plan enables an organisation to:

• save money on the cost of running a fleet of vehicles, on mileage claims and other staff travel costs;
• reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change;
• improve staff health and well-being by encouraging modes of travel that promote fitness and relieve stress, leading to better morale and productivity levels;
• reduce parking space demand;
• improve accessibility to sites for staff (aiding recruitment and retention), customers and deliveries;reduce congestion on and around sites;
• combat local pollution from traffic fumes, creating a better environment for people working and living in the area.

The Council’s Travel Plan

Calderdale Council’s Corporate Travel Plan (CTP) is based around three key targets. From a 2004 baseline, by 2010 the Council will:

• Reduce the number of single occupancy car trips to / from work by 15%;
• Triple the number of its staff who car share to / from work;
• Reduce staff business kilometres by 5%.

Results of staff travel surveys carried out to date show that good progress is being made towards these targets (see graph below). Current Council initiatives which have contributed to these results include:

• Calderdale Car Share|  scheme, in partnership with HBOS;
• Discounted parking charges for carsharers at Cow Green car park in Halifax;
• the Company MetroCard scheme, providing discounted annual bus and rail tickets for staff;
• participation in the West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network’s Travel for Work project, which is running a series of month-long campaigns to encourage changes in staff travel behaviour;
• the Tax-Free Bike scheme, making bicycles available to Council employees at discounted rates via a salary-sacrifice arrangement.

The Council continues to work on the following projects to further the aims of the CTP:

• a Council-wide audit of facilities for cyclists – bike storage, changing and shower rooms, lockers for outdoor gear – which will establish where there is the greatest need for improvements;
• promotion of the Council’s various travel policies to managers, to encourage a reduction in the frequency of business travel, and a reduction in car use for essential business travel;
• a campaign targeting drivers, providing information and encouragement on responsible car ownership – including fuel-efficient driving techniques, hybrid cars and alternative fuels as well as carsharing;
• promotion of the Council’s Green Travel Directions, which provide alternative journeys to popular destinations around Calderdale;
• investigation of potential policy changes that will result in reduced car use for travel on Council business.

Useful links

Metro|
(The name used by the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive) is the professional transport coordinating body for West Yorkshire, staffed by officers experienced in transport planning and related disciplines.

Sustrans |
A a sustainable transport charity working on practical projects to encourage people to walk ,cycle and use public transport in order to reduce the adverse effects of motor traffic.

Campaign for Better Transport| (formerly Transport 2000)
The independent national body concerned with sustainable transport. It looks for answers to transport problems and aims to reduce the environmental and social impact of transport by discouraging car use and encouraging greater uptake of public transport, walking and cycling.

Fleet and Travel Plans|
Works with industry, public sector and the community to meet emissions targets for the transport sector.

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