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7 TRAVEL PLAN OPPORTUNITIES
Findings from the survey and discussion groups suggest the following ways to increase the impact of the Travel Plan.
7.1 Cutting down car use
Car parking availability is a key factor in determining how people travel to work and reducing car parking spaces would probably reduce car use. However, this would be unpopular, especially amongst those who have no viable public transport option, or would face much longer journey times using public transport.
Some non car users advocate smaller car parks, in particular at Victoria Quay, as they feel large car parks encourage a 'car culture'. On the other hand, car users generally favour greater parking provision.
If you were to close down half the car parking at VQ and say 'some of you are going to have to cycle and you're going to have to get public transport', they won't like it but it will be better for them in the end. Cyclist
If you get in after 8.30 you don't get in the car park .. I think there should be more car parking facilities. Saughton House car user
Most respondents, however, agree that car parking allocation should be based on need with 'genuine travelling officers' and those travelling longer distances to work having priority.
People that are genuinely out and about as part of their job.. should probably have first priority. Edinburgh public transport user/walker
7.2 Cutting down taxi use
Discussion group respondents are unsure of SE policy on taxi use. There is a need for clarification on the following issues:
- SE preferred travel mode between SE buildings - is the priority travel cost, salary time or environmental impact?
- SE policy on taxi use and grade - should SCS be leading by example by taking the bus/walking?
Taxi use could also be cut by increasing awareness of other travel options. Discussion group respondents suggest the following:
- Travel route information/advice on the intranet
- Easily accessible links to other route providers e.g. Traveline
- Travel option information provided as standard when setting up meetings/training
In particular, Glasgow discussion group respondents request better information about travel to Edinburgh SE buildings.
I think there's maybe an issue about good practice if you're setting up a meeting .. and you expect people to come from other buildings to actually give them some directions with public transport, where you get off or how many stops before you get off. Glasgow public transport user/walker
It's just we tend not to know where we're going. It must be so easy to have some kind of map that says 'you go right, left, down the Royal Mile. Glasgow public transport user/walker
To cut down on taxi use, the perception that it is normal and acceptable needs to be challenged. This could be done by increasing awareness of the real differences in public transport/taxi travel time. For example, there may be some journey routes where taxi travel is not significantly quicker than public transport. In other instances, walking could be encouraged for nearby destinations, for example, St Andrew's House to Parliament.
7.3 Business travel
Clarification of SE travel policy for business travel, especially London travel, is also needed. Discussion group respondents request SE policy guidance on the following:
- Air v rail travel - is the priority ticket cost, salary time or environmental impact?
- First class v standard class travel - when is first class acceptable?
- Open v fixed time air tickets
- Ticket booking methods - is CWT preferred or obligatory?
- Travel providers - can CWT/individuals book budget airlines?
- Claiming travel time - how much can be claimed?
- Overnight stays v early morning travel
Everybody wants to go first class and they're told they're allowed to do this and what not. The money that is spent is horrendous. Pentland House car user
(Using the divisional credit card to book travel) should be better advertised and when you can use it .. nobody knows the exact rules about the credit cards. Glasgow public transport user/walker
I would claim till the end of the flexi time that day .. It's something that does need clarified. Edinburgh public transport user/walker
Travelling the night before .. that's something the Executive is not very clear on.. whether that's acceptable or not. Edinburgh public transport user/walker
Respondents' comments also indicate the extent of confusion regarding business travel policy. For example:
I would imagine the policy would be by train given the environmental issues surrounding flights. Edinburgh public transport user
Is it time or cost that's the issue? .. I think my line manager would be saying cost! Pentland House car user
Air travel to London is currently standard SE practice (77% travelled by plane for their last London business trip) and this is emphasised by discussion group comments.
There's a real assumption if you go to London you fly down. I think it's just bizarre. Edinburgh public transport user/walker
Just everybody in my division goes down by plane. Glasgow public transport user/walker
Clear, regular communication of SE business travel policy will therefore be essential in order to reduce air travel.
7.4 Encouraging home-working / remote working
Some respondents feel that rather than trying to change how people travel to work, it would be better to encourage greater use of remote and home working:
I think home working is quite a good idea particularly for people who live quite far out. Pentland House car user
On the other hand, respondents are aware of practicality issues around this including:
- financial cost of supplying laptops
- health and safety issues
- cost of heating home
- only some people have suitable work environment at home
- achieving 'corporate cohesion'
- managing teams
If home working was properly explained to people, because it seems to be very ad hoc at the moment. If there was a proper policy. Victoria Quay car user
Some respondents would also like to see greater linking up of policies on the environment, travel, work-life balance, health and education.
It shouldn't stand in isolation .. there's like all of these issues about obesity, health, environment. It's making these connections as well. Cyclist
7.5 Encouraging cycling
Cyclists have a lot of ideas to encourage cycling to work, both for potential cyclists, and for those who currently cycle. These include:
- improving cycle access to buildings
- providing better signage directing cyclists to racks
- improving and extending cycle rack provision (especially poor at Pentland House, and need for more unlocked racks at VQ)
- consulting cyclists before changing facilities which effect them
- improving showering facilities/locker availability (especially in some buildings)
- publicising off-road cycle routes more effectively increasing awareness of business mileage reimbursement for cyclists
- bike repair facilities at work
- buddy scheme to encourage less confident cyclists
- getting other organisations involved, for example, Sustrans
Even amongst those that normally cycle to work, there was limited awareness of cycle routes, suggesting a need to publicise off-road routes more effectively.
I didn't realise there was that route [off-road] until quite late and I've lived in Edinburgh nearly eighteen years. Cyclist
I only found it (the cycle path) a few weeks ago. I have spent the last year going to VQ through the traffic. Cyclist
Cyclists also express some dissatisfaction with current cycle rack provision.
[The new racks at St Andrew's House] are bad if you've got decent wheels on your bike and the lack of security, because you can't properly lock your bikes. Cyclist
[The racks at Pentland House] are on a real slope .. by the time you get it (your bike) it's slipped away, it's hanging by a thread. Cyclist
They also suggest that small changes in cycle access and signage could significantly help convey the message that cycling is encouraged.
The first time I cycled down here [to St Andrew's House], I didn't know there was a covered shelter. It's not convenient .. because there's a barrier. It's just little things like that. Cyclist
If you're coming out of VQ .. you've got to get off onto the pavement, go through a gate, and back on to the road. Whereas where the barriers are they could just have a gap at the side for your bike. Cyclist
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