Sustainability

Travel Plan Strategy

This strategy was approved by the Senior Management Team on Tuesday 16th June 2009.

Objectives

The overall objective of any travel plan is to increase the options available for travel by any individual and reduce the total number of vehicles requiring to be used to provide for the business of an organisation. This is primarily likely to affect travel to and from work but should also include travel in the course of work, visitor travel and goods vehicles. The sub objectives of a travel plan are as follows:

  1. Meet any local government planning requirements
  2. Ration or lower the parking demand so that it can be accommodated in the available spaces that can be provided
  3. Allow the reuse of some land presently used for parking
  4. Meet the community and social responsibilities of the University by setting a good example and helping the future of society generally
  5. Reduce traffic congestion
  6. Reduce the impact on the environment by reducing pollution
  7. Improve recruitment and retention from a wider potential pool of both students and staff with improved alternative transport arrangements to reach the University
  8. Improve health of staff and students by allowing and encouraging greater exercise in travelling

Principles

For travel plans to work effectively there are five key principles that should be upheld in order to drive the required changes forward:

  1. An organisational and individual culture change in order to deliver more sustainable travel
  2. Motivating sticks and carrots should be used to encourage continued changes in travel behaviour
  3. An integrated holistic approach should be used to ensure that all measures work in the same direction with no mixed messages
  4. Total management support for all measures and leadership example to other staff
  5. A clear and continued objective with a clear purpose in order to maintain focus in the long term

Action Plan

An action plan was agreed that was underpinned by these objectives and principles. The plan is updated regularly and published here for information.