Agenda item

To update the Committee on progress in preparing and implementing a new Staff Travel Plan, in line with the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Mr David Simper, Group Leader (Transport Projects), presented an update on the work to develop a Staff Travel Plan. He presented the draft Plan to the Committee and explained that this had been developed in order to update an existing document and support the Council’s target of achieving net zero carbon emissions.

While recognising that some staff remained dependent on cars in order to undertake their work, there remained a significant proportion of staff who could be encouraged to modally shift to use alternative methods of transport. Mr Simper noted that 64% of staff who lived between 1-3 miles from the Council’s offices used a car to travel to work. He further added that the Annual Staff Travel Survey had shown that the top three reasons for using a car for travel to work were:

-           Travel Time – The perception that car travel was quicker than other forms of transport such as bus or train.

-           Need – The belief that they needed a car in order to do their job.

-           Cost – The belief that travel by car was cheaper than alternatives.

These responses showed the challenge that existed in getting staff to change how they travelled to work. Mr Simper advised that the assumption of cars being quicker, cheaper and their being a lack of alternatives was not always the case. He highlighted the existing bus and tram network within Blackpool for which a discounted season ticket was available, in contrast to the rising cost of fuel and car ownership.

Efforts to encourage modal shift included information available on the Council Hub, highlighting public transport offers and cycling to work facilities. It had been recognised however that there was great reluctance among many staff to reduce car usage and therefore the aims and timescales within the Plan were long-term targets. Mr Simper also added that ongoing regeneration developments within Blackpool such as the Tramway Extension and the introduction of electric buses, presented an opportunity to promote the benefits of public transport.

The possibility of the introduction of incentives for staff to stop car use and adopt other methods of transport was discussed by the Committee. Mr Simper informed Members that consideration had been given to the promotion of an app that rewarded users for public transport usage in the form of vouchers.It was therefore agreed that details on possible incentives for modal shift be included in future reporting.

Other options that could be considered raised by Members included, discounted gym memberships, car sharing and public transport travel discounts. It was noted that there was a discount for staff car parking and the possibility of removing this to encourage other forms of travel was discussed. Mr Alan Cavill, Director of Communication and Regeneration, noted that due to the current perceptions surrounding car use, removing car permit discounts for staff would be unpopular. He advised that the Council did however charge more for staff parking closer to its offices and that homeworking had made the purchase of discounted permits less desirable. Mr Simper also stated that talks with Blackpool Transport Services Limited, would be undertaken to look at what other incentives could be provided.

The use of E-Scooters was also raised as a possible alternative, although Mr Simper advised that this was a complex issue and highlighted that many such devices were operated illegally and were of low quality. Although it was therefore not recommended that this idea was pursued the Committee recognised the challenges posed by encouraging modal shift in staff travel and expressed its support for the draft Plan and the actions contained within, while emphasising the need for innovative thinking to achieve its aims.

The Committee agreed:

1.           That the report be noted;

2.           That the Committee’s support for the aims and actions outlined be noted; and

3.           That details of considerations to incentivise staff use of public transport be included in future reporting.

Councillor Williams and Mr Simper left the meeting following this item.