Council workers are on the road to greener travel

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Renfrewshire's staff travel plan was developed after a survey earlier this year of the travel to work patterns of almost 2000 council employees. That survey found that almost two-thirds of journeys were by a single driver, 8% of journeys to work were made by bus, 8% by walking, 3% by train and 1% by bicycle, with the remainder involving a combination of travel options.

"Our survey revealed that whatever their existing travel pattern, council employees were keen to try out more active and sustainable ways of travel," said Bob Darracott, the council's director of planning and transport.

"The new staff travel plan is designed to give our employees more information about the transport, health and environmental benefits of different travel options and give them practical help to make a change if they want to."

The key aims of the staff travel plan are to achieve:

• more active and sustainable travel
• more use of public transport, and
• a reduction in single occupancy car journeys

That would improve the health and fitness of council employees, reduce stress, save money and reduce traffic congestion and pollution.

Added Bob Darracott: "We've set targets to increase more sustainable forms of travel to work. Our intention is to give our employees the practical support that we can to achieve that."

Among the measures which the council will be investigating are interest-free loans for annual bus and rail tickets, the installation of secure cycle parking, storage lockers and showers for cyclists, and a bike loan scheme.

Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay said the staff travel plan would help to build on the council's "strong record" on sustainability.

Councillor Mackay said: "Renfrewshire already has a strong track record on addressing environmental and climate change issues. For example, our headquarters building, Renfrewshire House, is designed to be energy efficient and economical."

"The suggestions in the travel plan can only be good for the environment and also our employees through promoting a healthier lifestyle."

Press release: Thursday 24 April 2008