News - New travel plans cut down on car use

29th September 2010

Bridgend County Borough Council is developing new travel plans that will encourage staff and employees to cut down on unnecessary car use and find more sustainable ways of travelling to and from work.

The initial plans are being developed for workers at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend, but will be rolled out to all main council offices by 2012.

They will expand upon existing initiatives based around car-sharing and flexi-working to offer a wider range of alternative transport methods. These include a cycle-to-work scheme and a discounted public transport ticket loan service.

The first of the schemes to be developed will be a cycle-to-work initiative. This will allow staff to purchase a bicycle and cycle safety equipment free of tax and National Insurance contributions in lieu of the salary on which tax and class one contributions would have been fully payable. As well as benefitting employees by promoting healthier lifestyles and more sustainable travel, the scheme will allow the council to save on secondary class one contributions. The cost will be funded by a third party finance company and staff will be able to pay for the bicycle and equipment through phased salary deductions.

Elected members will also be able to participate in the scheme. With cycle parking and shower/changing facilities already available at the soon-to-be-occupied Ravenscourt building, the initiative will focus on developing this facility as a hub for the service. Limited cycle parking is also currently available at Sunnyside and the Civic Offices.

Meanwhile, the discounted public transport ticket service is under development. The council is currently liaising with train operators over ways in which staff who live further away from their place of work could purchase reduced tickets as part of a wider travel plan. It will build upon existing schemes where season tickets can be purchased via direct debit arrangements.

Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “As well as benefitting employees and the local environment by promoting healthier lifestyles and alternative modes of transport for short journeys, these schemes will allow the council to benefit from a healthier, more active workforce.

“We are also committed towards gaining a Corporate Health Standard bronze award by September 2010 and a silver award by early 2011, and having travel plans in place for staff is crucial if we are to achieve the gold level.”