Committee Report: Staff Travel Plan Progress Report

Report to:	Cabinet Environment Panel
Date:	16 June 2005 3 August 2005
Subject:	Staff Travel Plan Progress Report
Report of:	Director of Engineering Services
Contact officer:	James Noakes - (01942) 404688
Purpose / summary:	To inform Members of the progress being made with the Staff Travel Plan and lay out plans for the year.
Alternative options considered and reason for selecting the one recommended:	None.
Recommendation / decision:	That Members note the content of this report and support the plans for the coming year.
Key Decision:	This report does not involve a key decision.
Implications:
Financial:	The financial implications for the planned measures are funded from the Highways Capital Programme previously approved by Cabinet on 31st March 2005.
Staffing:	It is anticipated that the work associated with these measures will be undertaken by the Departmental Travel Plan representatives in conjunction with the Travel Plan Co-ordinator.
Policy:	Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Strategy and Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan.
Equal Opportunities - Has a Diversity Impact Assessment been conducted?	There are no known equal opportunity issues associated with this report.
Wards affected:	All.
Special Interest Members – Which have been consulted

Categorisation of the report:

Discussion leading to a decision	-	Discussion	-
Monitoring	-	Decision	-
Sharing for corporate understanding	-	Information	x

Tracking/Process:

Panel	Overview & Scrutiny	Cabinet	Council
	Consultation	Ward Members	Partners
	-	-	-
3 August 2005	-	16 June 2005	-

There are no Background Papers within the meaning of Section 100D of the Local Government Act 1972 for this report

Proper Officer	Peter Taylor
Date	6 June 2005

1.0 Background

1.1 Policy Context

The Government White Paper "New Deal for Transport" refers to travel plans and identifies their promotion as one of the six key objectives for Local Transport Plans. The 2004 Report "Smarter Choices: Changing the Way We Travel" outlines the ways in which local authorities can promote sustainable travel and reduce car dependency.

1.2 Regionally, the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (LTP) includes the "Hearts and Minds" approach which aims at achieving modal shift away from the car towards more sustainable forms of travel. Local authorities are also encouraged to lead by example in delivering their own Travel Plan.

1.3 Wigan Council adopted its Staff Travel Plan in 2002. The Council is committed to delivering on its Staff Travel Plan not only due to LTP commitments but also Local Agenda 21, Air Quality Management Plan and the Cycling and Walking Strategies.

1.4 Wigan Council Staff Travel Plan

A Travel Plan is a package of measures and initiatives that aim to reduce the number of car journeys made, by providing people with greater choice. This is done through:

Providing realistic alternatives to the car
Making alternatives to driving alone more attractive
Reducing the need to travel
Managing car parking provision

1.5 Wigan Council's Staff Travel Plan addresses the following:

Commuter journeys
Business Travel
Fleet management
Visitors to Council sites
Deliveries

1.6 The Local Transport Plan Delivery Group, a part of the Highway Services Sector of the Engineering Department, is responsible for delivering the Government’s Smarter Choices agenda, which includes Travel Plans.

1.7 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator in the LTP Delivery Group oversees the implementation and co-ordination of Travel Plans and other sustainable travel initiatives.

2.0 Aims and Objectives

2.1 The Staff Travel Plan aims to reduce single occupancy car use and increase the use of alternatives to the car such as walking, cycling and public transport. It also aims to address problems that arise concerning staff travel both to and from work and for business purposes.

2.2 A baseline survey was conducted before the Travel Plan was adopted. This revealed the following:

Table 1: Staff Travel to Work - Mode of Transport
Mode	Usually use this mode (%)	Sometimes use (%)
Car	81	56
Bus	7	15
Train	2	7
Walk	8	12
Cycle	1	6
Other	1	4

3.0 Key Areas of Activity

3.1 The Staff Travel Plan Steering Group meets on a bi-monthly basis to discuss problems arising, new ideas and development of the Travel Plan. There are representatives of each Council department along with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and Wigan and Leigh Housing. It is chaired by the Director of Engineering. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator is responsible for the implementation of initiatives.

3.2 During the past year, the Steering Group has examined:

The relocation of Education and Community Protection Departments to the new Westwood development. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator arranged a number of meetings for staff to raise concerns on how to get to the site. Additionally, the group is considering access to facilities during lunchtime from the Westwood site.
Provision of public transport information for staff. Work is being done to develop this so that information is regularly updated and relevant to the building.
The car sharing database and how it is promoted. Wigan Council controls a section of the Greater Manchester car sharing database (www.2sCompany.org.uk) that staff can use to find journey matches, thus reducing the number of cars being used for the daily commute. At present there has been little take-up although a number of factors have been identified with the aim of improving the database and increasing its members.
The Travel Plan Newsletter that is now being produced aimed at all staff. This publication keeps all staff informed on Travel Plan issues and key events. It is to be sent out to all staff on a bi-annual basis.
Arrangements for National Bike Week (June) and National In Town Without My Car Day (September). During 2004, Wigan Council arranged a Cycle Ride to raise money for local charity and raise awareness of health issues for Bike Week during June. In September, there was a stall in Wigan Galleries giving information on sustainable travel to the general public. A number of staff also took advantage of free bus tickets for the day provided by GMPTE.
Provision of bus tickets for staff to use for business purposes. Engineering Services has a quantity of Day Rider tickets available to staff for use in their work. Take-up has been low so far although more effort is being put into their promotion.
The Staff Cycle Policy and associated cycle schemes. There has been a small but steady stream of people joining the cycle mileage payment scheme. Staff can use their bikes for business purposes and claim 20p per mile. Additionally, the Steering Group has had many requests for more cycle lockers for staff use. Currently demand is outstripping supply. Limited funds mean that only a handful of lockers can be provided. There are 19 lockers covering four council sites and many are shared between two or more cyclists.
Organisation of another survey to monitor the effect on staff travel behaviour. This will enable the group to identify areas where staff can be encouraged to address their car use.
There has been a homeworking pilot across several council departments which is due to report back within the next six months.
Departments are now increasingly keen to promote alternative working practices such as job-share and nine day fortnights. A guide for Chief Officers is being developed and should be available in the near future.

3.3 In the coming year the following measures are planned:

Bike Week

In 2005, there will be more events during Bike Week. Another Ride for Health charity cycle ride for staff, off-road cycling for the public and a Biker's Breakfast for Council staff. Additionally, The Company of Cyclists has put on a roadshow in Leigh Town Centre for the general public with great success.
In Town Without My Car Day

During September there will be an event in Wigan Town Centre aimed at promoting Road Safety, sustainable travel and local organisations and groups.
Car Sharing Database

The database is undergoing a review to make it more user-friendly. This is being co-ordinated at a Greater Manchester level. The site will change in appearance and function. One of Wigan's aims is for the site to be useable for business journeys. It is hoped that a new site will be relaunched within the next six months.
Walking & Cycling

Along with the local Primary Care Trust and Wigan Leisure & Cultural Services Active Living Team, there is to be a concerted push for staff to address health issues through walking and cycling.

Further developments by the LTP Delivery Group in providing cycle facilities and walking routes will also be built upon in the Staff Travel Plan.

A pilot pool-cycle scheme will be developed in the next year at a couple of sites. The Cultural & Leisure Trust at Robin Park have expressed an interest in trialling it.
Public Transport

More information is to be provided for staff, including relevant timetables for each building. Development of Quality bus Corridors will be useful in encouraging staff to use the bus when on council business or for the daily commute.

Other departments are also raising an interest in Day Rider tickets for staff to use on business journeys. Further discussions are taking place with local public transport operators to deliver cheaper, better quality bus services for Council staff, enabling the bus to become a better option for business journeys.
The development of Wigan Town Centre over the next couple of years gives a good opportunity for promoting alternative ways of getting to work. The Steering Group is already planning how problems that will arise are to be dealt with.
Other

The Travel Plan section of the staff intranet is continually being developed to provide better information and to allow staff to contribute their ideas and suggestions to the Travel Plan. Additionally, departmental Travel Champions will develop their role in order for staff to be better informed about travel choices.

4.0 Conclusion

4.1 Members are asked to note the content of this report and support the plans for the coming year.

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