joseph john sebastian travel plan

A Travel Planfor Gateshead Council

Summary documentand action plan

Travel Plan Summary 9/17/04 10:30 AM

This leaflet sets out a summary of Gateshead Council’s Travel Plan togetherwith a number of recommended actions that will help us achieve theobjectives identified in the plan.

If you would like further copies of this summary leaflet or would like moreinformation on any of the issues raised, please contact Lorna Bell, thecouncil’s Travel Plan co-ordinator by:

Phone: 0191 433 3095

Email: [email protected]

Letter: Lorna Bell, Travel Plan Co-ordinatorDevelopment & Enterprise Gateshead CouncilRegent StreetGateshead NE8 1HH

DIFFERENT FORMATSIf you would like this leaflet in Braille, large print or on audiotapeor in a different language, please contact Diane Brennan,Communications Team on 0191 433 3444.


IntroductionThe Government’s definition of a Travel Plan is:

“A package of initiatives to tackle different aspects oftransport, including commuter journeys, business traveland fleet management.”

Gateshead Council’s Travel Plan will contribute to the Council’s policy of promoting the borough’sdevelopment and improvement supported by a safe and effective transport network, which balancesthe needs of all users.

Key motivators for developing a Travel Plan include:

● delays and personal stress caused by traffic jams;● parking problems;● congestion resulting in poor air quality; and ● increased noise pollution.

There are many benefits resulting from a Travel Plan. For example, improved employee fitness bytaking up walking and cycling; wider travel options for visitors and reduced business mileage.


ContextThe plan will contribute to achieving a number of localand national objectives and policies including:

● Gateshead Council’s Local Agenda 21 Strategy● Tyne & Wear Local Transport Plan ● The government’s Ten Year Transport Plan.

It also forms part of the Council’s work programme andwill contribute to the objectives set out in the CommunityStrategy and the Council’s vision document Towards2010.

Vision for the Travel PlanFor Council members, employees and visitors to haveeasy access to integrated, safe and affordable transportwhich supports economic growth and balances the needsof all users in a responsible way. (Source: Towards 2010)

Outcomes of theTravel Plan● People living in and contributing to a clean,

pollution free, attractive and sustainableenvironment.

● Employees and people accessing theCouncil using sustainable forms of transportand who are satisfied with the services andfacilities provided.

ObjectivesThe objectives are based on the Local Agenda21 Transport objectives which are to:

● reduce car usage and increase the qualityand attractiveness of public transport.

● reduce the amount of travel by motorisedmeans through promotion and provision ofgenuine alternatives which are lessdamaging to the environment.

● improve public access to amenities andservices, with less need to travel.


Plan DevelopmentThe plan has been formed using central government best practice guidance through a council-widesteering group.

A large volume of data was collected during the period September-December 2002 through focusgroups, formal and informal discussions, surveys and site audits.

The Civic Centre, Prince Consort Road, and Shearlegs Road were chosen for specific surveys as theyemploy the greatest number of people at each site, and so demonstrate a range of travel scenarios.This provided information about how employees, elected members and visitors travel to Councilpremises and on their duties.

It revealed various views on the issues surrounding travel. Inmany cases the findingsconfirmed anecdotal evidence.

One of the key findings is howemployees travel to and fromwork, and this is shownopposite:

Employees (% of base) Usual mode of travel Occasional mode

Car driver 69 6

Car passenger 11 9

Bus 12 9

Metro 10 8

Train 1 1

Cycle 1 3

Walk 6 3

Taxi 1 0

Motor cycle Under 1 Under 1


TargetsFive-year targets for each form of travel have been setbased on the information gathered and in line with localand national targets. The most significant of these are:

● 15% reduction in single occupancy car commuting;● 15% reduction in business mileage;● 15% increase in bus use; ● 13% increase in Metro use; and ● 33% increase in car-sharing.

Recommended ActionsA range of actions has been identified to achieve thePlan’s targets, resolve the issues and respond to theinformation collected, including employees’ statedpreferences and facilities available.

The actions will form the basis for a timetabled workprogramme including reviews of current practice andannual monitoring. These are set out at the end of thisdocument. Any actions, which have an impact onemployee conditions of service, will be subject to fulldiscussion with unions, employee representatives andMembers.

ImplementationFollowing the plan’s adoption by the council, anImplementation Group will be formed to ensureit is delivered and reviewed regularly.

The actions have been given estimatedtimescales and once further investigations arecarried out more detailed timeframes can beset.

Partnerships will be formed not only within thecouncil to enable initiatives to be developed,but also with outside organisations such aspublic transport operators to develop attractiveticket schemes.


Marketing andPromotionA campaign will be devised in order to maintaincommitment from those involved, promote successes,contribute to a sense of achievement and increaseunderstanding and support. Some promotion has alreadybeen undertaken prior to plan agreement, in order tosecure interest in the plan and ensure a good response tothe surveys.

Monitoring and ReviewIn order to ensure the plan is on track, annual surveys willbe carried out and actions checked for progress. The planactions may be altered depending on progress andsubject to Cabinet ratification.

ConclusionThe plan will create an improved environmentfor all travellers, while maintaining high qualityservice delivery.

It includes strong and relevant actions, whichinvolve and are fully supported by membersand senior officers. These actions may not beinitially supported. However, change is neededto tackle the transport problems facing thecouncil and to improve the local environment.While implementing its sustainable transportpolicy the authority will act as a lead to otheremployers in the borough.


Travel Plan ActionsObjective 1:To reduce car usage and increase the quality and attractiveness of public transport

Action 1: Improve access to, and enhance opportunities to use, public transportAction 2: Enhance opportunities for safe motorcycle use and parkingAction 3: Encourage more sustainable car use and efficient car parking

Objective 2: To reduce the amount of travel by motorised means through promotion and provision of genuinealternatives which are less damaging to the environment.

Action 4: Encourage and support opportunities for increased walking Action 5: Encourage and support opportunities for increased cyclingAction 6: Provide transport information and guidance

Objective 3: To improve public access to amenities and services, with less need to travel.

Action 7: Reduce the need to travel


Travel Plan Actions(Target dates are provisional based on the information available at this time)

Key Milestones:

From the start of the plan we will:● Develop discussions with public transport operators and Nexus about improvements in services and

infrastructure, including Park and Ride.

By December 2004 we will:● Set up salary deduction scheme for public transport season ticket loans. ● Arrange discounted public transport tickets, for commuter use.● All Groups and Services will provide business public transport passes.

By March 2005 and annually we will:● Investigate provision of a shuttle bus to run between the Civic Centre, Shearlegs Road and Prince

Consort Road.● Investigate provision of a public transport linking service between Council premises and the

Gateshead Interchange.● Ask operators to run promotional campaigns for public transport in Council premises on an annual

basis.

By June 2005 we will:● Review and amend guidance for taxi use.

Action 1: Improve access to, and enhance opportunities to use, public transport


Key Milestones:

By December 2004 we will:● Arrange discounts with motor-cycle supply shops for Council employees.

By June 2005 we will:● Provide loans for purchase of motor-bikes and accessories.● Review existing security arrangements for motor-bike parking.● Promote road safety through providing free or subsidised advanced training as a condition of any

motor-bike loan.

Key Milestones

By December 2004 we will:● Set up a manual, user-friendly car share scheme.● Provide dedicated car-sharing parking spaces in privileged areas of car parks.

By March 2005 we will:● Improve monitoring of car parks. ● Investigate the feasibility of a phased car park charging scheme and report the findings to Strategy

Group.● Review the criteria by which essential, casual and occasional car user status is assessed and

assigned to a post and report the findings to Strategy Group.

Action 2: Enhance opportunities for safe motor cycle use and parking

Action 3: Encourage more sustainable car use and efficient car parking


● Review the lease car scheme and report the findings to Strategy Group.● Review use of car parks at the Council’s three main sites, Civic Centre, Prince Consort Road and

Shearlegs/Park Rd and report the findings to Strategy Group.● Investigate a mechanism for improved control of visitor and day car parking permits and report the

findings to Strategy Group.● Review traffic congestion created by Civic Centre traffic on Arthur Street and report the findings to

Strategy Group.● Investigate and report to Strategy Group on the feasibility of changing the criteria upon which car

parking permits are issued to employees and Members to more accurately reflect green travelissues.

● Relate car permit numbers to available capacity for each Council site.

By June 2005 we will:● Set up a pilot pool-vehicle scheme, including dedicated parking areas, to be repeated in other areas

when proven.

By September 2005 we will:● Extend residential parking zones around Council premises.● Review and upgrade Car Share scheme to a computerised system if appropriate.

By June 2006 we will:● Review pilot pool-vehicle scheme and extend if successful.● Consider extending the car-sharing scheme to other employers.


Key Milestones

By December 2004 we will:● Prepare and issue a map showing radial walking distances and routes based on the main Council

premises.● Encourage more walking to and from Prince Consort Road and Shearlegs Road specifically.

From the start of the Travel Plan, we will:● Support the Health Walks Gateshead initiative as well as any other walking promotions.● Maintain high quality pedestrian network to and between Council premises, and within their

premises and respond quickly to maintenance issues identified.● Inspect pedestrian routes between Council premises and public transport provision and instigate

improvements.

Action 4: Encourage and support opportunities for increased walking


Key Milestones

By December 2004 we will:● Arrange discounts with cycle supply shops for Council employees.● Set up Bike Buddy scheme to assist new cyclists.

We will continue to:● Maintain and expand pool bike scheme.● Improve cycle route safety and add to the cycle network through engineering measures.● Develop Tyne & Wear cycle network with partners.● Provide safe and secure parking for cycles.

By June 2005 we will:● Review Council Cycle User Allowance and Purchase scheme. ● Provide and promote Adult Cycle Training.● Provide loans for purchase of bicycles and accessories.● Improve shower, changing, and locker facilities and provide where none exist.

Action 5: Encourage and support opportunities for increased cycling


Action 6: Provide transport information and guidance

Key Milestones

By December 2004 we will:● Create a marketing campaign for sustainable travel.

By June 2005 we will:● Provide public transport information through public terminals and literature.● Provide public transport information through Intranet/Internet.● Promote sustainable modes for visitors when attending meetings and conferences.● Prepare transport use guidance for employees and Members covering criteria for user designations,

parking badges, recommended use of vehicles and alternative forms of travel for service delivery.● Set up and keep updated an Intranet and Internet Travel web-page which sets out the summary

Travel Plan and progress made, travel facilities at Council sites and links users to public transportjourney planning information.


Action 7: Reduce the need to travel

Key Milestones:

We will continue to:● Develop the local community ‘One-Stop-Shop’ initiatives and the introduction of more e-commerce.● Develop Working at Home (where mainly desk-based) and Working from Home (where employees

do site visits from home).

By December 2004 we will:● Report to the Travel Plan Implementation Group on the Best Value Implementation Plan pilot for

video-conferencing facilities.


Gateshead Council Travel Plan summary produced by Transport Strategy Section, Development & Enterprise, Gateshead Council, Regent Street, Gateshead NE8 1HH.

© Gateshead Council September 2004.


joseph john sebastian travel plan

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