Company Travelwise Award Scheme

We realise that tackling the problems of traffic flow, emissions and their ensuing environmental impacts is paramount to the economic development and quality of life in Staffordshire. The Government's White Paper on the Future of Transport states that "we look to business to ensure that it makes the most effective use of transport in a way which supports sustainable development.

This means reducing the impact on the environment and helping to reduce congestion". It also underlines the importance of partnerships to achieve this - "we want to create partnerships at all levels, to help business, local authorities and local communities to come together and respond to the challenge."

Much of the travel in our county is linked to commuting, and these journeys peak in rush hour - the times when congestion and environmental problems are most acute. It is clear therefore, that businesses as employers are the key players in the search for a solution.

The new Company TravelWise Award scheme was launched on 22nd March 2002 at County Buildings, Stafford as a joint venture between Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

This is a FREE initiative to support Staffordshire businesses in the fight to tackle the ever-growing problems associated with traffic congestion. The aim is to raise awareness of the real costs on the health, economy and environment of our County. The scheme actively promotes the introduction of alternatives to drive-alone journeys, through measures and incentives that encourage employees to make informed choices about how they travel.

Benefits of Membership

• Free membership of Staffordshire Share-A-Lift.com car sharing scheme
• Free, practical advice and real examples of good practice
• Potential business links with other members
• Regular seminars, conferences and the TravelSmart newsletter
• Discount products / services
• Publicity
• Up-to-date transport information
• Company TravelWise noticeboard
• Support and advice of experienced travel co-ordinators
• The Award, offered to recognise examples of good practice and reward individual efforts.
  

Benefits of Measures

• Improved company environmental image
• Improved relations with local community
• Easier access / more parking for customers, deliveries and visitors
• Freeing up of car park land for development etc
• Financial savings from reduced mileage allowances/ payments
• The ability to offer your workforce negotiated discount public transport passes
• Healthier, more motivated, more productive staff
• Increased staff travel choices - promotes equal opportunities

Some Company TravelWise Award winners… the latest could be YOU!!

                                  

Any Staffordshire organisation that is concerned about the negative impacts of traffic can join this support network FREE. Information about the scheme can be obtained from the Road Safety & Sustainable Travel Team on 01785 276615.

If every car user used an alternative just one day each week then congestion and all its related problems would be reduced by as much as 20% immediately. It would reduce company car parking requirements by 20% also.

By making everyone aware of his or her own impacts and responsibilities, and by adopting more sustainable modes of transport such as car-sharing, cycling and walking whenever possible and practical, we can all work at an individual level towards improving the quality of life in Staffordshire.

How much longer will it take before the amount of time we spend stuck in traffic jams becomes unacceptable, too expensive, too time consuming?

How much more pollution will we produce before we realise the harm we are doing to our environment and our children?

We are hoping to encourage employers to consider how a Travel Plan can benefit their company, both through resource saving and improvement of public image. The Travel Plan consists of a package of measures to encourage and enable more staff to walk, cycle, car-share, use public transport and pool vehicles rather than make solo car journeys for all commuting and work-related trips. Teleworking, videoconferencing and compacted working week can also be considered. An organisation can select and implement those measures relevant to their particular way of working.

It is not car ownership but the inappropriate use of the car that is the basic issue. The reduction of transport overheads like provision of company cars, mileage allowances and parking spaces will not only save businesses money but also help reduce congestion around their sites.

To ensure that Company TravelWise has something positive to offer we have already developed quality partnerships with public transport providers and other organisations such as cycle retailers to produce benefits, discounts and incentives that will be available to employees.

As one of the major employers in the county, with its employees in turn providing services for thousands of residents and employees, Staffordshire County Council is in a position to lead the way forward and set an example to others. By working together with other employers in Staffordshire it will be possible to make real improvements to the accessibility and environmental quality of our county.

It is generally accepted that we cannot continue to build new roads to remove the problem of congestion, so, as the highways authority we are looking to develop more sustainable alternatives. We launched our own Travel Plan, in October 2000, with an overriding aim to encourage the reduction of unnecessary drive-alone car journeys, thereby reducing congestion and improving the environment. The Plan is an important part of Staffordshire's LA21 and complements the Staffordshire County Council Integrated Transport programme, promoting sustainable transport in Staffordshire.

                                                 
                                     Florette Managing Director Gerald Lacey                                          receiving the Company TravelWise Gold Award

 

Last Modified: 30/10/2006 14:53:40
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