Please also refer to separate policies on Cycle to Work Scheme, Electric Bike Policy, Environmental Policy, Flexible Working, Vehicles, and Driving Policy, and to Staff Handbook and CSR Policy.
Introduction
Measures to promote sustainable travel and strategies are in place to promote the use of public transport, car sharing, walking, cycling, electric bikes and electric cars/vans. The health benefits of walking and cycling to staff are promoted. Most staff live within the area and already use sustainable travel to get to work.
Walking
Walking is the most sustainable method of travel, has a number of proven health benefits and is an important source of personal freedom. Walking is important for the vast majority of people, including those using public transport or without access to a car. It has the potential to play an important role in journeys to work, particularly for those living within two miles of their workplace. Walking is a form of active travel, which can offer a range of physical and psychological benefits to the individual.
Cycling
Cycling is cheap, offers reliable journey times and is environmentally friendly. Within the workplace, encouragement of cycling can lead to a healthier, more productive workforce. A link has been identified between car growth and obesity, with both trends
Increasing at a similar rate between 1985 and 2000. Travel Plans offer substantial health benefits to individuals who are motivated to complete more journeys on foot or by bicycle. In turn, employers can benefit through increased productivity and reduced absence through illness.
The company operate the “Cycle to Work Scheme” enabling employees to purchase bicycles and associated safety equipment through salary sacrifice. This means that employees are able to receive Income Tax and National Insurance savings on the retail price of their chosen bike and safety equipment package. The scheme is administered through a salary sacrifice agreement and is run in accordance with the Government’s Sustainable Travel Plan. Staff can select any model of bike up to a value of £300 pa through independent bike shops taking part in this scheme, thereby providing business to the local community.
The Company also has a fleet of 4 electric bicycles which are currently lent to staff who do not have access to a bicycle at home. The Company are considering increasing this provision by a further 2 electric bicycles.
The Company encourage, support and facilitate cycling by:
- providing lockers
- providing bicycle parking
- bicycle loan/tax free scheme for employees
- discounts on bicycles and accessory purchases
- marketing of cycling (e.g. health aspects)
And offer the following subject to demand
- bicycle training
- bicycle buddy scheme
- cyclist events
- cyclist users group
Public Transport Access
Public transport remains important, particularly for journeys to work of more than 5 miles (8km). Its benefits include:
- No need to park.
- Traffic free routes (with rail or bus priority existing within certain areas)
- Being able to relax, read or work (particularly beneficial for business travel)
The Company will encourage and support the use of public transport for commuting to Bridgwater Road by continuing with the following:
- Subsidised bus season tickets. (The local bus firms are Buses of Somerset, Taunton Park and Ride)
- Bus season ticket loans
Bus stops closest to Bridgwater Road:
Oxford Inn Stop
Take the number 21 bus from Taunton Bus station and stop at Oxford Inn Bridgewater road. 2-3 minutes walk to the nursery.
Managing car use
It is important that car use and parking are managed.
Where the only option is to transport by vehicle, mapping of staff journeys is used to aid implementing car sharing. ‘Car Sharing’ refers to a situation where two or more people travel by car together, for all or part of the car trip.
These initiatives work and greatly reduce car use, benefiting the health and well-being of staff and generally increasing the quality of life with the added benefit of reducing the carbon footprint.
Expenses are not paid for students attending training for solo car use if they are able to share.
There are allocated staff parking spaces at Tops Mini Mariners which are located outside of the nursery. These are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
There is plenty of on-street and some off-street parking within the surrounding area.
Car park can be accessed through the premier inn car park.
Van use
The Company have an electric van, Employees are able to borrow the van if not being used for company business.
Accessibility
No disabled parking allocated in the car park
