Council introduces green travel plan

Feb 13 2009 by Jackie Grant, Dumfries Standard Friday

A SCHEME is to be introduced in a bid to cut the number of Dumfries and Galloway Council employees taking their cars to work.

The £30,000 project has a target of reducing the number of local authority staff driving to work on their own by 15 per cent over the next two years.

South West of Scotland Transport Partnership (SWESTRANS) has agreed to fund the council’s attempt to work towards a cleaner, greener environment.

In a report to the planning, housing and environment committee, Douglas Kirkpatrick, strategic planning and transportation team leader, stated: “Despite popular belief, many transport alternatives to single occupancy cars are actually less expensive.

“Making the council’s workplaces easier to reach can help to improve staff motivation and morale and ultimately, staff effectiveness.

“Promoting active travel such as walking and cycling can also have a positive impact on employee health and fitness and can reduce employee absence through sick leave.”

Mr Kirkpatrick said incentives will be offered to car sharers such as guaranteed rides home in an emergency and the authority will provide secure, covered, well-lit, easily accessible cycle parking to encourage staff to cycle to work.

Staff who do cycle to work will also be able to use improved showering facilities at the council headquarters with the possible installation of showering and changing facilities at all town centre campus sites.