Travel to Work

The city’s economy could save thousands of pounds a year by improving traffic flow through the city. An estimated £152 million a year is lost as a direct result of traffic congestion in the UK. Your business can help by:

• thinking about the way that your staff commute;
• looking at business travel; and
• using greener forms of travel whenever possible.

Your business just needs to take a little time and effort to come up with some ideas and we can provide support, advice, money and the plans to help make it possible. One way of helping is to produce a travel plan.

 What is a travel plan?

A travel plan outlines what your organisation and business is going to do to reduce congestion by looking at other ways to travel and help reduce your employee’s reliance on the car.

Look at the day-to-day activities of your business, including:

• commuter trips;
• business trips;
• deliveries;
• the use of fleet vehicles; or
• trips made by your visitors/customers;

and think about different ways to travel.

Who needs a travel plan?

Your organisation or business may develop a travel plan:

• as part of a planning requirement;
• because you have parking pressures at your site;
• because you want to give your staff a choice for commuter and business travel;
• because you are located in areas of heavy traffic congestion;
• because you want to make improvements to the environment in your local area; or 
• to help you achieve green business credentials such as ISO 14001.

What are the benefits for your business?

The advantages of a travel plan vary according to individual circumstances, but typically include:

• helping to secure planning permission for expansion/new premises;
• reduced congestion and improved site access;
• cost savings for example reducing workplace parking, reduction in business mileage;
• fitter, happier and more productive employees;
• improved environmental image;
• more attractive staff recruitment package, by offering wider travel choice or having a greener image;
• improved public relations and marketing opportunities.

Free help and advice available

Our Travel Plan Co-ordinator for Workplaces can guide you through the process of producing and implementing your travel plan. Practical help is available free of charge and includes:

• site visit
• travel plan resource pack
• preparation of site assessments, staff travel surveys and audits
• survey analysis
• mapping service to help you produce your plans
• support and assistance
• identifying measures and targets
• helping you to network with other companies and organisations 
• information on the company TravelWise Award Scheme
• monitoring procedures.

For a comprehensive library of guidance reports, case studies and best practice documents follow this link to the National TravelWise Campaign website, choose 'For Businesses' and then the quick link to 'Travel Plan'.

The Travel Plan Grant Scheme

You could apply for a grant of up to around £5,000 by taking part in our Travel Plan Grant Scheme.

You need to show how you are going to encourage your staff or visitors to travel to you in environmentally friendly ways instead of driving alone in a car. Our Travel Plan Grant Scheme helps you think about the alternatives that are available, it encourages businesses to offer more travel choices to their staff and visitors and encourages us all to take action to solve problems that overcrowded roads cause. Remember, small changes by us all make it better for everyone.

We will consider any idea you have. It might be anything from installing new cycle parking facilities to improving street lighting, or subsidising the purchase of pool bikes to relocating bus stops.

Contact us: For more information contact our Workplace Travel Plan Co-ordinator by phone 01782 234964 or email:  transportation@stoke.gov.uk