Travel Plan success for Swindon!

Three Swindon organisations are celebrating after gaining accreditation for their travel plans.  The Great Western Hospital and Swindon College both attained the green level, whilst the Wichelstowe LLP received bronze accreditation.

The travel plan accreditation comes through national organisation, Modeshift, which is a centre of excellence for the delivery of effective travel plans.  Their STARS Business and Community schemes recognise organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.

Both Great Western Hospital and Swindon College submitted refreshed travel plans as part of a planning application for recent building works, and have pledged to run sustainable schemes for staff, students and visitors that encourage active travel, such as walking, cycling and taking public transport.

At Wichelstowe, the residential travel plan has attained a bronze level.  The residents that are moving into their new properties at the Canalside development all get a comprehensive pack of travel information, along with the offer of free bus taster tickets and a scheme to borrow a bike.  The travel plan, funded by the developer, also sees events being run, such as the Bike Week roadshow, during which dozens of residents were able to get their bikes security marked and checked over by a bike mechanic.

Emma Leake from Wichelstowe LLP says, “We have designed the environment around Canalside to maximise opportunities for walking, cycling and taking public transport, and the travel plan is supporting that vision and helping residents to lead healthier lifestyles.  We’re thrilled to be the first residential development in Swindon to gain this national accreditation, and will continue to strive to achieve the next level.”

At the Great Western Hospital, travel planning was core to their operations when the hospital was first opened, and the trust offer staff trial bus passes, good facilities for cycling to work, strong car park management and incentives for car sharing.