Many of the largest employers in Brighton & Hove got together on Thursday 18th October to work together on developing Travel Plans to encourage their employees to travel from home to work in sustainable and environmentally friendly ways. Brighton & Hove City Council hosted the event and is leading the partnership, as part of the councils’ commitment to reducing congestion, improving air quality and reducing the carbon footprint of the city.

Brighton & Hove City Council re-launched their staff Travel Plan earlier this year, and some of the incentives for travelling sustainably so far include a new tax free bike scheme, discounted bus tickets, interest free loans for bus and train season tickets, and a range of cycle parking facilities.

The launch took place at Hove Town Hall and was attended by representatives from  Hilton Brighton Metropole, Neilson Active Holidays, Southern Water, EDF Energy, Ricardo UK Ltd, Brighton Nuffield Hospital, Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company, Brighton & Hove City PCT, Ecosys Environmental Management & Education, Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership, Asda, University of Brighton, Legal & General, University of Sussex, Lloyds/TSB, Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, American Express, RSPB, and Sainsburys.

The delegates heard about the huge financial benefits for their organisations in encouraging their employees to use healthier and more sustainable ways of travelling to work. Rose McArthur, Associate Transport Planner with Colin Buchanan & Partners, the key note speaker at the event, made clear the massive savings that could be made by addressing the transport needs of all employees, and working together in partnership to address larger transport issues in Brighton & Hove. Many of the businesses attending the event are already in the process of introducing Workplace Travel Plans at their offices, which heavily promote the benefits of walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.

The Brighton & Hove Travel Plan Partnership will meet every three months to discuss new ideas, share best practice, look at partnership working between organisations and increase employee access to smarter choices for their everyday travel.

The Partnership is open to all employers in the Brighton & Hove area who are interested in providing smarter travel choices to their employees, and encouraging local sustainable travel. Further details can be obtained from Rob Dickin, Workplace Travel Plan Officer, on 01273 292233 or by visiting the website on www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/travelplanpartnership.