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TRAVEL PLAN & GREEN TRANSPORT POLICY
To whom this document applies: All Trust Staff
Trust Policy & Procedure Review Group Issue Date: March 2003 Draft
Document reference: Date(s) reviewed:
Approved by: Revision A – July 2004
Date approved: Revision B – August 2004
Next Review date: Revision C – September 2004
Version No: Revision D – 20th Sept 2004
Revision E – 27th Sept 2004
Responsibility for review: Revision F – 4th October 2004
Director of Facilities, Planning & Development Revision G – July 2006
Revision H – November 2006
Approved at Joint Staff Council Meeting 28/11/06 Revision I – December 2006
Contributors Colchester 2020 Travel Plan Club
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CONTENTS
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Travel plan review
1.3 The travel plan measures & costs 3
1.4 Staff consultation 4
1.5 Conclusion 4
2. INTRODUCTION 5
2.1 Background to this travel plan 5
2.2 Benefits of a travel plan 6
2.3 National policy 6
2.4 Local policy 7
2.5 Aim and approach of this plan 7
2.6 The focus of the travel plan 7
2.7 Objectives 7
2.8 Colchester 2020 travel plan club 8
3. CENTRALISATION OF ACUTE SERVICES IN COLCHESTER 9
3.1 Effects of the development proposals 9
4. THE TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES 11
4.1 Car sharing 11
4.2 A review of staff shift patterns and other workforce policies 11
4.3 Information provision 12
4.4 Travel management system 12
4.5 Cycling 12
4.6 Walking 13
4.7 Public transport 13
4.8 Motorcycling 13
4.9 Free transport home for staff in an emergency 14
4.10 Car parking policy 14
4.11 Monitoring and management 14
5. RESULTS TRAVEL PLAN STAFF ANNUAL SURVEY JULY 2006 15
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 – Update on Timetable and Action Plan 19
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 All NHS Trusts are required to have a Travel Plan. Hospitals are the largest
generator of trips outside of peak hours, and are estimated to account for up
to 5% of all trips. (Department of Transport 2006) With around 70% of trips to
hospitals being by car, the NHS contributed 2.1 billion car trips to Britain’s
Roads in 2000 (Dublin Transportation Office et al; - 2001)
The New Environmental Strategy for the National Health Service (NHS
Estates 2002b) identified five key areas where progress needed to be made,
one of which was Transport and specifically stated that all NHS sites should
have produced a healthy Travel Plan by 2002. In addition the National
Service Framework on Coronary Heart disease also required that Trusts
develop a Travel Plan by April 2002.
The Trust first produced a plan in March 2003. Following consultation with
staff and a number of revisions the Travel Plan was formally launched in April
2004.
1.1.2 The purpose of the Travel Plan is to reduce the number of single occupant
cars travelling to site. It should not be confused with the Trust Car Park
Procedure the aim of which is to efficiently manage the vehicles that do come
to site, which is issued by the Trust Estates and Facilities Department in
accordance with the Trust Policy and Procedures. This Travel Plan also
referred to as the Trust Green Travel Policy will help inform how the Car Park
Procedure should be developed.
1.2 Travel Plan Review July 2006
1.2.1 A Travel Survey was undertaken in July 2006 and followed by a number of
Travel Plan review meetings, the participants of which were members of the
Estates Department and a cross section of ERHT and Carillion staff
representing a variety of Travel Modes. Version G of the Travel Plan reflects
the proposals for changes and additions to expand the Travel Plan and the
Car Park Policy made by the Travel Plan review group, following
consideration of the Travel Plan Survey results, new ideas and discussion
with colleagues.
The action plan reflected in version F of the Travel Plan has been reviewed
and a new action plan devised. Where actions have been completed these
are now reflected in section 4 of this plan. Where actions are incomplete and
it is still intended that they are taken forward these have been carried over
into the new action plan.
1.3 The Travel Plan Measures & Costs
1.3.1 Section 4 of this Plan has been updated to reflect the measures the Trust
have introduced as part of this Travel Plan. The cost of Travel Plan measures
will be met via income from parking charges and capital funding from the
Estates and Facilities Budget.
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1.4 Staff Consultation
1.4.1 The results of the July 2006 Travel Survey have been included in section 5 of
this plan. Staff comments continue to focus on the current difficulties staff
experience parking on the site. A sub group of the Joint Staff Council (JSC)
was set up to review the Travel Plan in July 2006 chaired by the Director of
Facilities, Development and Planning. The Plan was then amended and
issued to the full JSC for comment.
1.5 Conclusion
1.5.1 This Plan will be reviewed each year and the ongoing implementation of this
plan with the support of the Colchester 2020 Travel Plan2 club and should
enable the Trust to pro-actively reduce the number of single occupant cars
travelling to site, which it is hoped will lead to significant health benefits as set
out in section 2 of the plan.
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2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 Background to this Travel Plan
2.1.1 Boreham Consulting Engineers Ltd first produced a Travel Plan in March
2003 for Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust in support of its planning
application for the centralisation of acute services in Colchester. Although the
£167M PFI project is no longer going ahead, the Trust still plans to centralise
its services on CGH over the next 10 years and is still required to have a
healthy Travel Plan in place by the Environmental Strategy for the NHS and
the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. This Travel
Plan was developed in accordance with the results of staff consultation.
2.2 Benefits of a travel plan
2.2.1 The primary objective of a travel plan is to reduce the adverse effects of
transport associated with the operation of a site and hence the most easily
identifiable benefits are those that are directly related to reductions in vehicle
use; namely proportionally less congestion, noise, air pollution and accidents.
2.2.2 There is also a broader range of less tangible benefits that can accrue from
the implementation of travel plan initiatives. Depending on the content of
each travel plan, such benefits can include:
• increased productivity – a healthier workforce with higher morale can
increase the productivity of staff
• energy savings – through reduced fossil fuel use
• improved public transport – through TP initiatives
• an improved environment for pedestrians and cyclists
• improved organisational image
• reduced on-site congestion
• cost savings – to staff, patients visitors and the organisation as travel
becomes more efficient
• improved quality of life – through time savings and reduced stress and a
healthier lifestyle.
2.2.3 Travel Plans are an important element of the Government’s integrated
transport strategy. They are a means of holistically managing the traffic
generated by a development or site and implementing initiatives to reduce or
ameliorate identified adverse effects of such transportation. The principal aim
of a travel plan is to encourage modes of travel other than single occupancy
car use.
2.2.4 This travel plan has been prepared by the Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS
Trust. The Trust recognise that as a large organisation with various sites
around Colchester, their operations have a significant effect on transportation
in the area. As a responsible public body and a member of the Colchester
2020 Strategic Partnership the Trust wish to address this issue by
implementing a Travel Plan.
2.2.5 The initiatives within this plan are prepared in accordance with national and
local transport policy to reduce the number and length of private motorised
journeys and will help to encourage alternative means of travel that have less
environmental impact than the single occupancy car. To achieve these aims
a three-stage approach has been adopted as summarised below:
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• to provide a number of measures to help employees, patients and visitors to
use safe and viable transport alternatives to the car for accessing the
Trust’s sites.
• provide information with which to increase awareness of alternative travel
options to and from the hospital.
• once travel patterns have become established, to periodically monitor the
travel patterns of employees to ensure that the most sustainable travel
patterns are encouraged.
• to make recommendations from time to time for changes to Trust Car Park
Procedure so that it supports the aims of the Travel Plan.
2.3 National policy
2.3.1 At a national level, Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 (PPG13 – Transport,
2001), refers to travel plans in various forms, but does not propose any
standard format or content. The guidance notes that the relevance of travel
plans to planning lies in the delivery of sustainable transport objectives and
that these should include:
• reductions in car usage (particularly single occupancy journeys) and
increased use of public transport, walking and cycling
• reduced traffic speeds and improved road safety and personal security,
particularly for pedestrians and cyclists
• more environmentally friendly delivery and freight movements.
2.3.2 It is however acknowledged in PPG13 that the car will continue to have an
important part to play and for some journeys will remain the only real option
for travel. It is the Trust's belief that this is directly applicable to a hospital
where it is essential for quick and direct access. This is required in relation to
many of a hospital's functions either from time to time or on a more
permanent basis. Examples of these functions would include A & E,
Maternity and doctors on call.
2.4 Local Policy
2.4.1 Issues associated with travel plans are addressed at local level within the
Essex Local Transport Plan (LTP). The strategy predominantly focuses on
the need to reduce the reliance on the car and to promote more sustainable
forms of travel.
2.4.2 The LTP sets a series of Integrated Transport Themes as given below.
Individual site travel plans will not be able to achieve these objectives in
isolation and some may be more relevant to some travel plans than others.
The plan will however seek to contribute towards these goals where
practicable.
• Encouraging sustainable development and travel patterns.
• Creating an inclusive transport system by providing choice and accessibility.
• Managing overall travel demand and the transport network.
• Expanding transport capacity.
• Protecting and enhancing rural and urban environments and communities.
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2.5 Aim and Approach of this Plan
2.5.1 The impact of road traffic has led to policy changes in the last iteration of
PPG13 and the recommendation that travel plans be prepared for certain
types of new development in order to encourage the use of more
environmentally friendly forms of travel.
2.5.2 The aim of the travel plan for the Essex Rivers NHS Trust is to help reduce
the number of motorised journeys, particularly by single occupancy private
car use, and as such it is structured to achieve a series of objectives listed in
section 2.6.
2.5.3 This plan is based around two main phases; consideration of the existing
transport conditions relevant to the Trust’s sites and the surrounding
environment, and the proposal of measures designed to effectively manage
transport associated with the sites and achieve positive changes in the
current travel patterns.
2.5.4 Guidance has been taken from PPG13 and local government policy in the first
instance but also from the former DETR (The benefits of Green Transport
Plans) and the Energy Technology Support Group - ETSU (A Travel Plan
Resource Pack for Employers).
2.6 The focus of the travel plan
2.6.1 The majority of measures within the plan are intended to encourage staff
working for the Trust to vary, or change, from current reliance on single
occupancy car use. This focus on staff has been adopted as it is considered
realistically more feasible to evaluate travel patterns and successfully
implement quantifiable initiatives with Trust staff than with the more variable
patient/visitor base. Measures for members of the public are therefore more
orientated towards increasing awareness of alternatives to private car use to
access the Trust’s facilities.
2.6.2 The Trust will undertake annual patient/visitor snapshot surveys to assess
levels of increasing awareness amongst the public about alternatives to
private car use.
2.7 Objectives
2.7.1 A list of global objectives have been compiled to be used as the basis of this
travel plan.
• foster a partnership approach between the NHS Trust, its staff, patients,
visitors and suppliers to influence travel behaviour
• generate fewer staff car trips than would otherwise be the case by
encouraging a modal shift in travel to the hospital
• encourage safe and viable alternatives for accessing the site
• to reduce the environmental impact associated with patient and visitor traffic
by raising travel awareness amongst members of the public and
encouraging the use of alternative modes to private cars
• to reduce the need for unnecessary journeys by hospital staff
• reduction in overall vehicle mileage
• to help improve the health of staff and members of the public
• accommodating those journeys that need to be made by car.
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2.8 Colchester 2020 Travel Plan Club
2.8.1 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust are part of the Local Strategic
Partnership known as Colchester 2020. One of the key deliverables of this
partnership vision is a modernised, integrated transport system meeting the
needs of local people and visitors.
2.8.2 To help achieve this six of the partners (Essex Rivers, Colchester Borough
Council, Essex County Council, University of Essex, Colchester Garrison and
Colchester PCT) representing over 10,000 employees in Colchester launched
the Colchester 2020 Travel Plan Club in July 2004.
2.8.3 The aim of the club is to work together to support the members in developing
and implementing their travel plans including sharing information, using
common car sharing systems, jointly appointing a Travel Plan Co-ordinator
and working together to seek improvements in public transport, cycle paths,
park and ride schemes and other mutually beneficial initiatives.
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3. CENTRALISATION OF ACUTE SERVICES IN COLCHESTER
3.1 Effects of the development proposals
3.1.1 The proposed centralisation of services from other sites in Colchester to the
Colchester General Hospital site (originally planned as a single £167M PFI
scheme now to be phased over 10 years by a serious of smaller
developments) will increase the amount of activity at Colchester General
Hospital site. This modernisation and extension of the hospital is proposed to
not only house the services to be transferred there, but also to cope with the
projected increase in population and need of the area which it serves.
3.1.2 Based on the originally PFI scheme Essex County Council and Colchester
Borough Council enforced a Section 106 Agreement of the Town and County
Planning Act on Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust. This requires the Trust to
undertake certain obligations (described in 3.1.3 below) in return for grating
planning permission for the development of Colchester General Hospital
which includes the provision of additional car parking in line with the Essex
County Council’s Maximum Parking Standard states that a Hospital should
provide:-
• 1 parking space for every 4 members of staff and
• 1 parking space for every 3 daily visitors
3.1.3 The Section 106 Agreement described above requires the Trust to:-
• Make three contributions to Essex County Council to make changes to the
roads around the hospital as follows:-
• Bus Stop contribution of £50,000
• Crossing contribution of £25,000
• Parking Restrictions contribution of £15,000
• To carry out a review of the Travel Plan each year and to agree this with the
Essex County Council
• At the Trust’s own expense to comply with an implement the terms of the
Travel Plan including the appointment of a Travel Plan Co-ordinator
• To undertake the following Highway Works (estimated capital cost of
£500,000) to the satisfaction of the County Council for the Colchester
General Hospital site
• Improvement of the two principal highway accesses to the Colchester
General Hospital site from Turner Road
• upgrade to current Essex County Council standards of the existing bus
stop located on the western side of Turner Road adjacent to the Colchester
General Hospital’s main entrance
• provision of a pedestrian/cycle link into the Colchester General Hospital
site from the Northern Approaches Road in the vicinity of the emergency
vehicle access
• provision of a surfaced and street-lit public footway/cycleway between the
Northern Approaches Road and Turner Road along a route to be agreed
with the County Council with a link to the proposed development on the
former Turner Village Hospital Site
While the original PFI scheme is not proceeding these measures are still good
practice and are may be requested on any future planning applications requested by
the Trust.
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4. THE TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES
4.1.1 The objectives given previously provide the framework for the travel plan
measures.
4.1.2 The following section covers the means by which the hospital is seeking to
fulfil these objectives including
• Car Sharing
• A review of staff shift patterns and other workforce policies
• Information Provision
• Travel Management System
• Encouraging Cycling
• Encouraging Walking
• Encouraging use of Public Transport
• Encouraging Motor cycling
• Offering Free Transport Home for staffing an emergency
• Car Park Policy
• Monitoring and Management of this Plan
• A full staff travel survey once every 3 years and annual staff snapshot
surveys will be undertaken.
4.2 Car Sharing
4.2.1 Car sharing is widely recognised as a viable method of reducing the numbers
of staff who drive their own car to and from a workplace although it is also
noted that, in the context of a hospital, variable shift patterns and start and
finish times may inhibit car-sharing at the hospital to a certain extent.
4.2.2 The Colchester2020 Travel Plan Club provides an internet based car share
matching scheme. ERHT staff, once registered can either search for matches
just within ERHT or from the wider 2020 pool. The website contains
testimonials from experienced car sharers, information about different forms
of travel, responsible car use and also a cycle, walking and taxi buddy
matching system. The website can be found at
www.colchester2020traveltogether.com
4.2.3 A guaranteed free ride home service will be provided for car sharers in the
event of an emergency
4.2.4 A dedicated car share bay system is being looked into as an incentive to car
share.
4.3 A review of staff shift patterns and other workforce policies
4.3.1 While it may not be feasible to re-arrange the entire shift structure of the
hospital, owing to the range of functions and need for operational flexibility,
the hospital will ensure that where staff submit a reasonable request for minor
amendments to their working hours (for example starting half an hour later) to
facilitate use of non-car modes of transport, the hospital management will
endeavour to accommodate this wherever possible.
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4.4 Information provision
4.4.1 Information relating to potential means of car-alternative access to the
hospitals is publicised each month in the staff newsletter ‘Mainstream’. Travel
information is also available on notice boards in the staff restaurant at ECH
and CGH and on the Trust’s intranet site.
4.4.2 Travel Information will be sent out to all new starters and introduced into the
induction process via senior staff presentations.
4.4.3 Travel information for patients and visitors to the hospital is available in the
Hospital Information booklet sent out with all appointment letters and from the
Travel Information point located in the main reception area.
4.4.4 The newsletter, Intranet and patient literature contain information about the
travel plan, and the reasons for it, public transport links, bus timetables and
contact information, cycle routes and pedestrian access. There may also be
scope for general information on the environmental costs/benefits of different
modes of transport. Information is collated by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator
(TPC) and will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that any changes can
be accounted for.
4.5 Travel Management System
4.5.1 The Trust worked with Essex County Council to launch an internet based
“Travel Management System”. The project forms part of a wider EU initiative
with similar projects to be implemented concurrently by the other EU partners
in Holland. The system is ‘tailor made’ so as to offer a wide range of travel
options to staff, patients and visitors travelling to hospitals.
4.5.2 The Travel Management System is specifically aimed at travelling to
Colchester General Hospital and provides:
• Journey planners for travel by car and public transport
• Location map, showing public transport links to the hospital
• Hospital site layout, including bus stops, parking and drop off points
• Internal site layouts, to help people find the department they are attending
In the future it is intended that the system be linked to the on line out-patient
booking system (depending on links to NpfIT)
The website can be found at www.getthereontheweb.org and can be
accessed via the internet or via free kiosks located in the main, Constable
and Gainsborough reception areas.
4.6 Cycling
4.6.1 To help increase the uptake of cycling to work by staff, the hospital provides
the following measures:
• changing facilities with showers and some lockers for staff, however
provision of further facilities will be looked into if a requirement is identified.
• a mixture of sheltered and secure staff and visitor cycle parking
• CCTV coverage of the cycle racks providing increased security for cycles
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• information will be made available about pedal cycle routes to employees
and members of the public via newsletters, Intranet and patient literature.
• a guaranteed free ride home service is available to cyclists in the event of an
emergency
• provision of free adult cycle training to National Standards via a local not for
profit organisation, Cycle Training East. www.cycletrainingeast.org
• provision of a cycle buddy matching scheme for new and aspiring cyclists
via the www.colchester2020traveltogether.com website
• The Trust will look into the introduction of the government initiative for
obtaining a discounted cycle and accessories through salary sacrifice
4.6.2 The number of cycle parking spaces and lockers for cyclists will be monitored
periodically by the TPC and more will be provided by the Trust if usage
indicates a need. The Estates section will investigate providing additional
cycle lockers at CGH as part of the project to replace the staff car park H.
4.7 Walking
4.7.1 Measures aimed at increasing the viability of accessing the Trust's sites on
foot are based around provision of the following facilities and benefits:
• changing facilities with showers and some lockers for staff, however
provision of further facilities will be looked in if a requirement is identified.
• information on the ‘on and off highway’ pedestrian network routes to be
made available through newsletters, Intranet and patient literature.
• provision of a walking buddy matching scheme for new and aspiring walkers
via the www.colchester2020traveltogether.com website
• a guaranteed free ride home service is available to walkers in the event of
an emergency
4.8 Public Transport
4.8.1 Increased accessibility to, and use of, public transport is considered to be a
key element of any travel plan. The Trust has implemented the following
measures to encourage public transport use:
• provide up-to-date public transport information including timetables, routes
and bus company contact information
• a guaranteed free ride home service is available to walkers in the event of
an emergency
• offer staff a 50% discount on Colchester Borough Card inner and outer zone
passes and First season tickets for travel by bus. The Trust contribute 35%
to this scheme and the bus companies 15%.
• the Trust is negotiating the introduction of a 5% discount on train season
tickets of one month’s duration or more which would be offered by ‘One’
• the Trust will offer an interest free annual season ticket loan scheme
4.9 Motorcycling
4.9.1 While motorcycle use is not as desirable as other alternatives to car travel,
such as walking and pedal cycling, exhaust emissions and traffic congestion
are less prevalent than with cars and therefore measures have been
proposed to encourage motorcycle use. The hospital will provide the
following facilities:
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• changing facilities with showers and some lockers for staff, however
provision of further facilities will be looked in if a requirement is identified.
• The provision of dedicated motorcycle parking bays with appropriate
facilities to secure motorcycles will be looked into by the Trust.
4.10 Free Transport Home for staff in an emergency
4.10.1 A number of the initiatives above require a free ride home to be offered to
staff in the event of an emergency. In practice this means the member of staff
affected should immediately inform their line manager of the need to go
home, who will then either arrange for another member of staff to provide a
lift, or agree to the use of a Taxi, the costs of which will be met by the Trust.
4.11 Car Parking Procedure
4.11.1 The Trust has a Car Parking Procedure for staff, and another one for patients
and visitors.
4.11.2 This Procedure covers:-
• the management of car parks, including a car park user group
• special car parking for car-sharing
• zoning of parking and drop off areas to assist disabled staff and visitors
• zoning of parking areas to accommodate different parking needs at different
times of the week and day depending on shift patterns and hospital work
loads.
• the management of a scheme to charge staff and public for car parking to
discourage inappropriate single car users and contribute towards the cost of
implementing the Travel Plan including subsidising bus passes and
maintaining the car parks
4.12 Monitoring and Management
4.12.1 This Travel Plan has been implemented by the Trust’s Estates and Facilities
Directorate, with the support of Colchester2020 Travel Plan Club and the
Travel Plan Co-ordinator jointly approved by the Club.
4.12.2 The Action Plan in Appendix 1 will be reviewed and updated each year as
part of the Travel Plan Review required by Essex County Council in
conjunction with Colchester2020 Travel Plan Club and a Travel Plan Review
Group made up of representatives from ERHT and Carillion staff .
4.12.3 A Travel Survey will be conducted to support this review.
4.12.4 It is proposed that the plan will then be approved by the Trust Board in
October each year following this review.
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5. RESULTS TRAVEL PLAN ANNUAL SURVEY JULY 2006
5.1 Analysis of Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust Annual Travel Survey, July
2006.
5.1.1 Total respondents
Total respondents reflected in this analysis: 379
Number of hard copy responses received in total: 74
Replies from:
CGH 293
ECH 60
Brunel Court 1
Chestnut Villa 7
Microbiology 3
Other 17
5.1.2 Change in Travel Habits since introduction of Travel Plan
16.8% of respondents (63 individuals) said they had changed the way they
travel to work since April 2005, out of these 33.3% (21 individuals) said their
decision to change had been influenced by the travel plan.
5.1.3 Business Travel
Out of 222 respondents to which the question was relevant, 49.1% said they
would leave their car at home either all or some of the time if the Trust
provided alternatives means of transport for business travel.
5.1.4 Communication
It is evident that the articles in mainstream and the Travel Plan information on
the intranet are the most known about methods of communication with 76.5%
of respondents being aware of them. The notice boards in the staff
restaurants were the least known method for communication, at CGH this is
probably because it is placed in an obscure location. The display is due to be
put up near the entrance to the new staff internet access area in the
restaurant, so should be more obvious to staff in the future.
At least 20% were not aware of any of the means of communication regarding
the Travel Plan. From inputting the hard copy surveys, it tended to follow
through that staff were not aware of any of the Travel Plan incentives in place
either such as bus discounts, cycle facilities and car sharing website.
5.1.5 Services and facilities for cyclists.
The majority (80.7% of respondents) knew about the cycle storage facilities
and 62.8% were aware that adult cycle training was on offer. It is evident that
a large number of people are not aware of the shower facilities or cycle
maintenance workshops.
5.1.6 Bus Discount Scheme
45.6% of respondents are not aware of the discounted bus pass scheme, this
is very high. A further 47% know about the scheme but do not use it. 7.4%
use it.
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5.1.7 Car sharing scheme
An even higher 50.7% of respondents are not aware of the Travel Together
website, 37.1% were aware of the site but had not looked at it, only 4.3% (16
individuals) had looked at the site and registered a journey.
5.1.8 National events
Due to an error in the question whereby only one of the answers could be
ticked, the results are incomplete. From inputting the hard copy surveys, staff
appeared more aware of Bike Week promotions than ITWMC, however this
may be due to Bike Week 2006 having just taken place and therefore being
fresh in people’s memories. 63.3% of respondents were aware of Bike Week,
and 27.6% aware of ITWMC day. 23.5% were not aware of the promotion of
either national event
5.1.9 Potential train discount
Out of the 178 respondents that could potentially use the train, 46.1% (82
individuals) said they would seriously consider it if the Trust offered a discount
on a season ticket.
5.1.10 Support for 50% discount on bus passes.
An overwhelming 93.3% of respondents thought the bus discount was a good
and useful travel initiative to offer to staff.
5.1.11 Parking at CGH Finding a space
Out of the 271 staff who the question applied to, 7% said that they have
difficulty finding a parking space at Colchester General Hospital.
5.1.12 Support for staff living locally being provided with a parking permit.
50.4% of staff thought that staff living locally should not be automatically
provided with a parking permit.
5.1.13 Staff prepared to pay more for a parking permit if better quality car parks were
provided.
Only 29.7% of staff were prepared to pay more for better quality car parks.
5.1.14 Staff prepared to pay more for a guaranteed space
However 49.8% of staff were prepared to pay more for a parking permit if they
were guaranteed a space.
5.1.15 Preference for the old system of parking on a first come first served basis
(this question added later and responded to by 177 individuals to whom it was
relevant) 71.2% of respondents (126 individuals) supported returning to the
old system of parking on a first come first served basis.
5.1.15 Should any staff be exempt from paying car park charges?
50.4% of respondents thought that no staff should be exempt from car park
charges.
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5.1.16 Suggestions for improving communication
• Regular leaflets, e-mails and information/posters to be put up in wards.
• Lots of people said they do not see Mainstream, aren’t all staff sent a copy
with their pay slip?
• Travel Plan information in inductions/ a facilities handbook for new starters
• More display boards
• An awareness day.
5.1.17 Suggestions for improving facilities for cyclists:
• Publicise location of showers (Use of patient showers in Gainsborough
offered – feasibility to be looked into?)
• More secure cycle storage
• More regular cycle training sessions
• Improved cycle paths to the hospital and around Colchester
5.1.18 Who should be exempt from car park charges
Mainly all staff, volunteers, disabled, shift workers, those who need their car
for work, people with no other travel options.
5.1.19 Suggestions for Improving the Travel Plan
• Lots of staff continue to oppose car park charges particularly due to no
being able to find a space and/or quality of car parks.
• Consistent approach to enforcing car park management – considered
inconsistent and double standards at present.
• Fairer car park management including short stay bays/areas
• Either all or none essential users exempt from charges – as unfair
application at present
• In house maintenance to be carried out, out of standard working hours to
free up car park spaces.
• Barrier operated car parks so you can pay as you go
• Higher parking fees for those living close to work
• Tiered car park charging system
• Clearly marked out parking spaces in all car parks to maximise the number
of spaces available
• Improved signage to discourage visitors/patients from parking in the wrong
areas
• Bus and train timetables need to tie in with working hours
• Park and ride
• Extend bus running times
• Shuttle service to and between hospitals.
• Mini bus service around rural areas
• Extend bus discount to other operators
• Cheaper public transport system
• Discounts on daily tickets
• Discount on train travel
• Review shift patterns and arrange staggered handovers
• Flexible working review
• Implement discounted cycle purchase scheme
• Mileage allowance for cycle users
• Annual prize/incentive for people most successfully using alternative
transport
• Reward system for not driving
Policy: Page 16
Version: I
APPENDICES
Policy: Page 17
Version: I
APPENDIX 1
PROPOSED TIMETABLE AND ACTION PLAN FOR INTRODUCTION OF TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES 2006/07
No. MEASURE/ACTION STATUS IN 2004 LEAD COST UPDATE ON STATUS IN
MANAGER/TRUST 2006
REPRESENTATIVES
1. Implementation of a car-sharing Agreed with Colchester 2020 Director of Estates, £1,000 p.a. for Complete though scheme
scheme for employees. Travel Plan Club to use Facilities & Development membership of the provider changed to Liftshare,
www.travelshare-essex.com scheme. launched June 06.
with a free 3 month trial starting
in January 2004.
2. Signage and zoning of Car None Head of Facilities Cost of signage and Carried over into 06/07 plan.
Parks to encourage car sharing. zoning car parks to be
procedure.
3. Accept alterations to staff shifts Consider as part of Improving Associate Director of HR Expected to be cost Flexible & Home working policy
to accommodate use of public Working Lives. neutral, or costs borne introduced in 2007.
transport or car share where by directorate budgets.
practical.
4. Provision of information for Currently available on the Trust Head of Facilities To be confirmed Provided on staff intranet and on
members of the public and website. display boards in restaurants for
employees on pedestrian access staff and visitors. Needs to be
to the hospital. added to Trust website or link to
TMS.
5. Travel Management System in Project underway led by Essex Director of Estates, ECC have not Complete, launched June 2006.
partnership with Essex County County Council. Facilities & Development requested any Operational and maintenance
Council. additional monies from costs to be passed to ERHT
the Trust to date, from 2007.
although the Trust may
incur some costs in
collating the data
required by the ECC
from the Trust to
complete the Project.
Policy: Page 18
Version: I
No. MEASURE/ACTION STATUS IN 2004 LEAD COST UPDATE JULY 2006
MANAGER/TRUST
REPRESENTATIVES
6. Provision of information for Colchester cycle map – Head of Facilities None New and updated cycle map
members of the public and available on request from Carol awaited from Essex County
employees on cycle access to Buckland. Council.
the hospital.
7. Increase/improve the cycle Cycle shelters provided – will Head of Facilities Additional shelters Review of cycle shelters to be
parking provision if this is continue to monitor would be added as part carried over into 06/07 plan.
deemed insufficient. requirement. of the PFI Project.
8. Set up Bicycle Users Group for Set up as sub group of Head of Facilities None Idea dropped due to lack of
staff. Colchester Cycle Campaign. interest.
9. Provision of changing facilities Now provided at Stroke Unit, Head of Facilities None Complete, however investigate
and lockers for employees. CGH and Sanders Ward, ECH. use of additional patient
showers in Gainsborough Wing
during set times.
10. Implementation of a ‘buddy- No progress, to be developed Director of Estates, None Launched June 06 as part of
walking’ scheme for employees. by Colchester 2020 TPC. Facilities & Development TravelTogether website.
11. Subsidised Colchester Borough Was a 10% discount offered by Director of Estates, Increased to 15% from Approx 310 regular users.
Bus Card for Staff. First Bus. Facilities & Development First Bus and 35% from
Trust, costing the Trust
about £22,000 in
2006/7
12. Provide parking for motorcycles None Director of Estates, Purpose built facilities Dedicated motorcycle bays with
and increase level if deemed Facilities & Development will be added under secure facilities to be carried
insufficient. parking project. over to 06/07 plan.
13. Provision of a Freephone, Active – FREEPHONE (PDQ Head of Facilities None Complete.
providing a direct link to a local Taxis) available in Main
taxi firm. Reception Area of CGH.
14. Provision of free transportation Not currently offered. Head of Facilities Based on experience Complete but needs to be more
home in the event of an elsewhere expected to widely publicised.
emergency for car sharers, be negligible.
users of public transport,
walkers and cyclists.
Policy: Page 19
Version: I
No. MEASURE/ACTION STATUS IN 2004 LEAD COST UPDATE JULY 2006
MANAGER/TRUST
REPRESENTATIVES
15. Update Car Parking Policy to Under Review to be launched Head of Facilities To be confirmed. Complete November 05.
reflect Travel Plan Aims and with new car park management Reviewed July 06 and some
Objectives. contract in October 2004. actions to be carried over to
06/07 plan.
16. Developing a Policy (probably Under Review , to be launched Head of Facilities Cost to staff is 0.15% of Introduced from December
an update of the existing car in April 2005. salary, income to the 05. Procedure updated this
parking policy) to charge staff Trust is about £51,268 year.
for car parking permits during in 2006/7
peak hours.
17. Monitoring and Management of On-going Head of Facilities Cost to Trust is £86,545 No increase in parking
the Trust Car Parking Policies. in 2006/7 charges in 2006/7
18. Appointment of Travel Plan Co- Joint appointment proposed Director of Estates, £10,000 pa for Complete Travel Plan, Co-
ordinator. with Colchester 2020 Travel Facilities & Development membership of ordinator in post from
Plan Club. Colchester 2020 Travel November 2004.
Plan Club.
19. Travel Survey To be undertaken in 2005/06. Director of Estates, Jointly with Colchester Complete March 05.
Facilities & Development 2020 Travel Plan Club.
20. Undertaking Annual Travel Plan To be undertaken from June Director of Estates, Included above. Complete, third survey
Review. each year by TPC. Facilities & Development undertaken in July 06.
Annual survey into 06/07
plan.
21. Introduce an interest free Not yet in existence. Deputy Director of To be confirmed. New idea from July 2006
season ticket loan policy. Finance consultation.
22. Investigate introduction of Not yet in existence. Deputy Director of To be Confirmed. New idea from July 2006
government initiative for Finance consultation.
obtaining tax free bikes and
accessories through salary
sacrifice scheme.
Policy: Page 20
Version: I
No. MEASURE/ACTION STATUS IN 2004 LEAD COST UPDATE JULY 2006
MANAGER/TRUST
REPRESENTATIVES
23. And/or introduce an interest Not yet in existence. Deputy Director of To be confirmed. New idea from July 2006
free loan for buying a bike. Finance consultation.
24. Improve communication of the In process of being TP Co-ordinator Admin time, cost of New idea from July 2006
Travel Plan through induction implemented. leaflet production. consultation.
process, contact with new
starters and a Travel Leaflet to
go out with a payslip run.
25. Carry out investigation and Not yet in existence. Head of Procurement Staff time, costs of New idea from July 2006
research into the viability of implementation to be consultation.
providing a pool car system for investigated as part of
business travel. research.
26. Investigate introduction of Not yet in existence. Capital Projects Manager Cost of marking up New idea from July 2006
dedicated car share bays and and TP Co-ordinator bays and signage. consultation.
associated permit system.
Policy: Page 21
Version: I
