Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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Contents
Section Page
Executive Summary 3
1. Introduction 7
2. Travel Plan Development 9
Benefits of Developing a Travel Plan 9
Travel Plan Scope 9
Site Assessments 9
Smarter Working Methods 10
Staff Travel 10
Business Travel 12
Patient and Visitor Travel 12
3. Travel Plan Objectives and Targets 14
Travel Plan Objectives 14
2015 Travel Plan Targets 14
Setting & Achieving Targets 15
4. Travel Plan Initiatives 16
Car Park Management 16
Public Transport 18
Cycling 20
Walking 22
Motorcycles 23
Car Sharing 23
Addressing Business Needs 24
Travel Plan Implementation 26
Travel Plan Action Plan 28
5. Conclusion 35
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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Executive Summary Background
The main objective of the Belfast Trust Travel Plan is to encourage staff to travel by sustainable modes to
and from work as well as for business trips through promoting and enabling such modes in partnership with
Translink, Sustrans and Travelwise NI. The implementation of the plan will ultimately reduce single car
occupancy trips and increase trips by sustainable modes such as walking, cycling, car sharing and using
public transport.
The development and implementation of a sustainable Travel Plan will help to address current parking
pressures in and around the Trust sites, reduce the environmental impacts associated with the Trust’s travel
activities as well as promote healthier lifestyles to the Trust’s workforce. It should be noted that whilst the
plan is focused on staff travel, many of the initiatives contained therein will influence and encourage patients
and visitors to travel in a more sustainable fashion to the various Trust sites within the Belfast area.
Belfast Trust delivers integrated health and social care to approximately 340,000 citizens in Belfast and part
of the Borough of Castlereagh. It also provides a range of specialist services to all of Northern Ireland.
It is estimated that one third of all travel in Belfast is related to the Trust’s activities. Most of this activity is
due to the Trust’s 20,000 employees travelling to work and over one million patient attendances at our acute
sites.
With an annual budget of almost £1bn, Belfast Trust is one of the largest Trusts in the United Kingdom.
The Trust came into existence in April 2007 and is responsible for the services formerly delivered by six
Trusts which were merged on 31 March 2007. These Trusts were: Belfast City Hospital Health and Social
Services Trust; Green Park Health and Social Services Trust; the Mater Health and Social Services Trust;
North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust; South and East Belfast Health and Social Services
Trust, and The Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital Health and Social Services Trust.
The Trust workforce resides throughout Northern Ireland and travel to their sites on a daily basis to provide
such services. The Trust sites can be can be accessed by various modes of transport including train, bus,
car sharing, walking and cycling. One of the motivations for implementing a Travel Plan is to reduce the
reliance on the private car and reduce transport impacts in relation to Trust employees commuting to and
from work on a daily basis.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan Development
The purpose of the Travel Plan will be to drive significant change in transport and travel for Belfast Trust
staff. It should be noted that the development of the Travel Plan will also present benefits to both patients
and visitors where feasible. The Belfast Trust Travel Plan has been developed following the National
Specification for Travel Plans1, as follows:
Detailed site audits, assessing transport facilities, including car parking in and around the sites;
Current staff travel patterns and business journeys;
Travel Plan aims and objectives;
Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound (SMART) Travel Plan targets for a 5 year
period;
Travel Plan initiatives to achieve these targets; and
Strategy to monitor and review the progress of the Travel Plan.
1 PAS 500: 2008 National specification for workplace travel plans, BSI November 2008 (Publicly Available
Specification)
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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This Travel Plan should be considered as a ‘live’ document with measures reviewed and monitored over
time. Updates can be incorporated where necessary to ensure initiatives continue to target the relevant
issues.
Staff Travel Analysis
A staff travel survey was conducted in October 2010 to provide the current modal split for commuter journeys to the Belfast Trust sites. The staff travel survey received a response rate of 12% across all Trust sites which provide an adequate representation of travel behaviours of Trust employees for the development of the Travel Plan. The dominant mode of travel to work is by private car (alone or car sharing), as well as staff travel using bus and train services, taxis, walking and cycling on a regular basis. A number of respondents also indicated that they would consider travelling to work by other modes including car sharing, catching the bus, walking or cycling.
Staff postcode analysis was also undertaken for 17,465 Trust staff who work in the 12 largest Trust facilities.
This showed the potential for staff to use existing public transport services, car share, walk or cycle to work.
A mapping exercise showed there is a large potential for Trust staff to make use of current Metro (8,164
staff), Ulsterbus (1,512 staff), Goldline (5,855 staff) and rail services (7,370 staff) as they live within an
accessible distance of buscentres, bus stops, rail halts or stations. 4,157 employees currently live within
4km of work2 and could potentially cycle to work. Also, there are significant clusters of staff living close to
each other that could potentially car share.
Patient and Visitor Travel Analysis
Random sample visitor and patient interview surveys were conducted at various locations throughout the
following Trust sites:
Arches Centre, Westminster Avenue North;
Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road;
Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road;
Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman’s Lane; and
Royal Group of Hospitals, Grosvenor Road.
The aim of the surveys was to evaluate the existing modal split and consideration of alternative modes, duration of stay and parking arrangements for visitors and patients travelling to the Trust sites. A total of 336 surveys were collected which showed that the majority of visitors and patients travelled to the Trust sites by private car. Travel by bus was the most popular alternative mode of travel for consideration by visitors and patients.
Travel Plan Objectives and Targets
The principal objectives for the Belfast Trust Travel Plan were developed to address transport issues across
the Trust sites with a focus on commuter and business travel. Travel Plan objectives for the Belfast Health
and Social Care Trust is as follows:
1. improve access for all staff, patients and visitors to the Belfast Trust sites;
2. encourage a reduction in car use to the Belfast Trust sites and for business purposes;
3. improve the choice of modes and encourage travel by public transport, car sharing, walking and cycling;
4. improve health and wellbeing of staff through the promotion of active travel; and
5. support the Belfast Trust Travel Plan with other corporate policies.
The indicative Travel Plan targets are set for a five year period to meet the overall objectives of the plan as
listed above. These targets have been set with consideration to the research and information gathering
throughout the Trust, including postcode and staff travel data and are considered to be achievable yet
challenging. It should be noted that all calculations and percentages are based on the current total number
of Trust employees (20,000 staff).
2 Measurement of Accessibility to and from the site, Transport Assessment Guidelines for Development
Proposals in Northern Ireland November 2006
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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An increase in the number of trips made by walking and cycling from 6% of staff currently to 16% by
December 2015. Approximately 572 staff (29.6% of respondents) indicated that they would consider
cycling or walking to work as part of the staff survey and the analysis of staff postcode data for the Trust
indicated that approximately 21% of staff lived within a 15 minute walk or cycle ride of work;
An increase in the number of trips made by car sharing from 7% currently to 10% by December 2015.
381 staff (19.7% survey respondents) indicated that they would consider car sharing as part of the staff
survey and the analysis of staff postcode data indicated that there are clusters of staff living in similar
areas;
An increase in the number of public transport users from 12.5% currently to 23% by December 2015.
809 staff (41.9% survey respondents) indicated that they would consider travelling to work by public
transport and the analysis of staff postcode data showed that large numbers of staff live close to a bus
or rail service; and
A reduction in the number of lone car drivers from 71% in 2010 to 49% in 2015 through the use of
alternative modes.
A regular staff travel survey should be conducted to monitor shifts in modal split. The incremental targets set
for Belfast Health and Social Care Trust over the next five years are listed in Table A.
Table A Belfast Trust Travel Plan Targets3
Current (2010)
2011 Target
2012 Target
2013 Target
2014 Target
2015 Target
Car driver trips (single occupancy trips)
71% 65% 61% 57% 53% 49%
Car Sharing 6.9% 8% 8.5% 9% 9.5% 10%
Train 4.7% 6% 7% 8% 9% 10%
Bus 7.8% 9% 10% 11% 12% 13%
Walking 5.4% 6% 6.5% 7% 7.5% 8%
Cycling 2.5% 4% 5% 6% 7% 8%
Supporting Actions
A number of sustainable initiatives will be implemented throughout the Belfast Trust over a five year period in
order to meet all modal shift targets as presented in Table A. These initiatives involve the promotion of
existing facilities as well as introducing new schemes to encourage sustainable travel. Proposed measures
are likely to include:
Travel Plan implementation;
Car parking facilities;
Promoting public transport;
Promoting walking and cycling;
Providing motorcycle and cycling facilities;
Facilitating and promoting car sharing; and
Addressing business needs.
3 It should be noted that targets for each year does not total 100% as other modes such as motorcycles and
taxis have been excluded from the target setting
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The Trust will implement this Travel Plan in partnership with organisations such as Travelwise NI, Roads
Service, Sustrans and Translink. The Plan will encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport
and promote healthier lifestyles as well as reducing environmental impacts and travel costs.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan Coordinator
A Travel Plan Co-ordinator, working 1 day per week, has been identified within the Belfast Trust to provide
support on the implementation and development of the Travel Plan. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator reports to
a Senior Manager within the Directorate of Nursing & User Experience. To assess progress towards the
Travel Plan’s targets, modal split and initiative take-up levels will need to be monitored. The Travel Plan co-
ordinator’s responsibilities will include the organisation of travel surveys on a regular basis to monitor Trust
employee travel patterns. The scope of the Travel Plan Co-ordinator’s duties may be increased in the future
to encompass patient and visitor travel patterns to help monitor the demand upon specific facilities.
Other Travel Plan Co-ordinator responsibilities include:
Obtaining and maintaining commitment and support from senior managers, staff, union representatives
etc;
Designing and implementing effective marketing and awareness raising campaigns to promote the
Travel Plan in co-operation with Travelwise NI;
Setting up, co-ordinating and attending Travel Plan Groups and/ or Working Groups etc;
Acting as a point of contact for all staff requiring information;
Liaising with the various departments within the Trust, Health Promotion Agency, Trust staff, trade
unions and external organisations such as Translink, Belfast City Council and Sustrans; and
Presenting a business case to secure budget for Travel Plan development and ensuring its efficient and
effective use.
The Travel Plan coordinator is key to the success of the Belfast Trust Travel Plan as this individual is the
main driving force behind the plan. The Travel Plan coordinator is supported by the Trust Travel Plan Group
which has representation from Communications, Health Improvement, Estates Services, HR, IT, Finance,
Transport, Occupational Health, Risk Management and the Trade Unions. This Group will provide support
and resource on implementation and development of the plan. The Co-ordinator and Travel Plan Group will
lead by example and have a practical, realistic and balanced perspective of travel issues.
Business Travel
As part of the Travel Plan process, business travel and business travel needs were reviewed as this can also
have a fundamental influence on how staff travel to work. Factors considered include the potential to use
tele-conferencing or video conferencing to reduce the need to travel, or other alternative modes, such as
public transport or walking, to reduce the reliance on the private vehicle.
The encouragement of smarter travel through the use of alternatives to the private car can incur greater
efficiencies to the way the Trust currently manage their business travel in financial terms as well as staff
productivity.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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1. Introduction Background
1.1 Belfast Trust has received support from the Department for Regional Development (DRD)
Travelwise NI in developing a Travel Plan with specific initiatives selected for implementation at
the various Trust sites to encourage staff to conduct travel in a more sustainable way.
1.2 There is potential to encourage staff to travel by sustainable modes as a substantial number of
current car drivers have indicated in the staff travel survey that they would consider using
alternative modes to travel to work. Section 2 of this report provides further information on current
travel patterns.
1.3 It should be noted that although this Travel Plan will not specifically focus on patients and visitors,
due to the large number of trips generated by these individuals there will be potential to extend a
number of initiatives and measures, identified for staff, to influence their travel choices. This will
be referenced as appropriate throughout the document.
Benefits of Developing a Travel Plan
1.4 A Travel Plan aims to reduce dependency on cars by promoting the use of possible alternatives to
single occupancy car use. Implementation of a Travel Plan can potentially provide benefits for the
Trust, their staff, patients, visitors and the Greater Belfast Area including environmental and
economic benefits as summarised in this section.
Benefits for the Belfast Trust
Identifies targets for reducing environmental pollution from transport activities.
Presents a positive image which can be extended to patients and visitors, the local
community as well as to other Health and Social Care Trusts, Belfast City Council and other
local organisations;
Reduces car parking demand and releases spaces for alternative uses, for example for
priority patient parking and reserved car sharer spaces or cycle parking;
Provides better management of staff travel leading to lower mileage and expense claims and
more effective use of staff time; and
Contributes to the improvement of air quality in and around Greater Belfast through the
reduction of carbon emissions.
Benefits to Belfast Trust staff
Provides additional or increased choices through increasing travel and work options;
Reduces travel costs (including parking costs);
Encourages healthier and more active lifestyles which in turn may reduce stress and obesity;
and
Reduces stress associated with driving and car parking for those travelling to the Belfast
Trust sites by private car.
Benefits to patients, visitors and Greater Belfast
Helps to reduce congestion and parking stress;
Helps to improve local air quality;
Encourages healthier and more active lifestyles; and.
Helps to reduce instances of inappropriate parking in residential areas adjacent to Trust sites.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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1.5 To achieve the benefits associated with the development of a Travel Plan both financial and staff
time investment will be required. Plans can be self financing as the investment cost of
implementing measures within the plan can be offset by savings on parking, mileage claims and
staff time. There are also less tangible benefits such as improved image, healthier and more
active staff and the environmental benefits.
Travel Plan Scope
1.6 The Travel Plan is focused on Belfast Trust staff in relation to commuter trips as well as business
journeys.
1.7 The opportunity to influence patients and visitors travel has been captured throughout the
development and implementation of this plan.
1.8 There will be an opportunity to promote a number of Travel Plan measures and initiatives to others
working on the Trust sites, for example Queens University staff and students based at Belfast City
Hospital and Royal Group of Hospitals.
1.9 Where possible in its travel planning, the Trust will consider the impact of travel by suppliers and
contractors across all of the Trust’s sites.
Travel Plan Objectives
1.10 There are a number of key motivations for the production of a Travel Plan for the Belfast Health
and Social Care Trust including improved access, improved health and wellbeing of staff,
improved availability of affordable travel options and a reduced reliance on the private car through
the promotion of sustainable alternatives. These are outlined in Section 3 of this document.
1.11 There are several principles that are vital to achieving success in the Travel Plan:
Commitment from senior management – this is essential as senior management will be
pivotal in the development of objectives and should also lead by example;
Consultation with staff and trade unions – a Travel Plan will only be successful if staff and
representatives support and have ‘buy-in’ to it. Consultation is crucial in encouraging staff to
have a sense of ownership of changes and improvements being introduced;
Resource allocation – appropriate levels of staff time is needed to implement the plan and
maintain the momentum of the plan; the appropriate staffing resource should therefore be
allocated. A budget should also be allocated to cover the development and promotion of
specific Travel Plan initiatives; and
Travel Plan promotion – it is essential to promote the individual Travel Plan measures
initiatives and demonstrate their progress and benefits and ensure staff understand their
travel options and associated benefits.
1.12 Taking the information gathered on the needs of Belfast Trust employees into account; this Travel
Plan document is structured as follows:
Section 2: Travel Plan Development – this section sets out the benefits and scope of the
Belfast Trust Travel Plan. Summary of site audit, staff travel survey findings, postcode
analysis and business travel.
Section 3: Travel Plan Objectives and Targets – objectives and targets addressing transport
issues for Trust staff.
Section 4: Travel Plan Initiatives – a number of measures selected, based on site facilities
and data analysis to encourage sustainable travel throughout Belfast Trust.
Section 5: Conclusion - the conclusion of the Travel Plan.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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2. Travel Plan Development
Travel Plan Scope
2.1 The Belfast Trust Travel Plan will consist of a range of initiatives and activities developed for
Belfast Trust staff. There are approximately 20,000 employees based throughout the various
Belfast Trust sites. This Travel Plan will be taken forward in collaboration with the Travel Plan
coordinator, Translink, Health Promotion Agency, Sustrans and Travelwise NI.
2.2 The Travel Plan presents initiatives and measures which can be implemented and promoted to
encourage staff to undertake sustainable travel wherever possible. The targets, measures and
initiatives have been selected through investigating the current level of facilities (such as cycle
parking, showering/changing facilities etc) on the Belfast Trust sites, as well as carrying out staff
travel surveys with the aim to encourage a change in established travel patterns and analysing
postcode data to assess the potential for staff to travel by alternative modes.
2.3 The plan also emphasises that it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiatives and
their influence on patient and visitor travel through monitoring the take up of initiatives and the
analysis of regular travel surveys.
Site Assessments
2.4 A number of site audits were conducted on behalf of the Trust to assess the transport facilities
(such as cycle parking, showering/changing facilities etc) available on the Belfast Trust sites. This
is summarised in the following sections. The site audits help to highlight key transport problem
areas and opportunities for the Trust.
2.5 The following sites, which are the 12 largest facilities in the Trust, were chosen for a survey of
accessibility by public transport services, cycle paths, pedestrian footways and provision of car
and cycle parking:
Arches Centre, Westminster Avenue North
Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road
Bradbury Centre, Lisburn Road
Carlisle Centre, Antrim Road
College Street (no. 16)
Grove Wellbeing Centre, York Road
Forster Green & Knockbreda Centre, Saintfield Road
Knockbracken Centre, Saintfield Road
Mater Hospital, Crumlin Road
Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Abbey Road, Antrim
Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman’s Lane
Royal Group of Hospitals, Grosvenor Road
2.6 As most of the sites are located within the Greater Belfast area, there is great accessibility by
public transport, walking and cycling. It should be noted that Muckamore Abbey Hospital is in a
rural location on the edge of Antrim town and access by sustainable modes is limited.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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Smarter Working Methods
2.7 There are tele-conferencing facilities available within the Belfast Trust as well as video-
conferencing facilities. This technology allows for joining conferences, meetings or training
courses, according to needs, for a number of people with similar equipment from anywhere in the
world.
2.8 The Trust has developed a number of staff policies which aim to improve working lives through a
work life balance. Flexible work policies include:
Job sharing;
Flexi-time scheme;
Compressed working; and
Homeworking
2.9 The policies listed allow for flexible working and work could be arranged to suit travel such as
public transport timetables or working hours of car sharer. Homeworking also reduces the need to
travel.
Staff Travel
2.10 A staff travel survey is the foundation of a Travel Plan as it provides an understanding of how staff
currently travel to work, as well as providing a baseline with which to measure progress of the
Travel Plan after it has been implemented.
2.11 The data also assists in identifying which initiatives will be most effective in changing travel
behaviour.
2.12 In addition post code analysis was carried out into all staff working in the 12 core facilities (approx
18,000 staff) to identify proximity to public transport and cycle routes, proximity to place of work
and clusters for potential car sharing.
2.13 The response to the staff travel survey in 2010 was 11.6%. An ‘Analysis of Travel Survey Data’
report was produced in December 2010 to provide a summary analysis of the survey responses
collected.
2.14 A breakdown of the actual modal split for Belfast Trust staff as established from the staff surveys
are in Figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1 Current Travel to Work Modal Split for Belfast Trust staff
68.4 %
6.6
4.6
7.6
2.5 0.55.2 1.3
Car driver
Car sharing
Train
Bus
Cycle
Motorcycle
Walk
Taxis
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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2.15 A summary of the key findings from the survey is as follows:
It is evident that the predominant mode of travel to and from work is by car as it is quick and
convenient compared to other modes available and allows for domestic and caring
responsibilities;
6.6% of staff who responded to the survey currently car share to work on a regular basis.
The survey indicated that 325 car drivers currently travelling on their own would consider car
sharing. These respondents would be encouraged to car share if they had help finding a
colleague to share with and if there was a dedicated car sharing parking space available at
their for their use;
57 survey respondents cycle to work daily and 163 additional staff members’ cycle
occasionally. Other staff members who currently do not cycle to work stated they would cycle
if improvements were made at to local routes making them safer and better lit; and
282 survey respondents currently use public transport as their main mode of transport to
work, be it bus, train or park and ride. Respondents stated discounted tickets, more frequent
and direct buses and better connections between home and bus stops would encourage
them to use public transport.
2.16 A summary of the key findings from the postcode analysis for Belfast Trust staff is as follows:
8,164 staff currently live near a Metro bus route and are potential bus users;
5,855 staff live near a high frequency Goldline express service (within 400m of a bus stop,
10km of a buscentre with parking facilities and bus based park and ride facilities or 4km of a
bus centre with cycle parking facilities (without car parking facilities);
1,512 staff currently live within 400m of an Ulsterbus bus stop, 10km of a buscentre with
parking facilities and bus based park and ride facilities or 4km of a bus centre with cycle
parking facilities (without car parking facilities);
7,370 staff currently live within 4km of a train station or halt with cycle parking facilities
(without car parking facilities) or 10km of a train station or halt with parking facilities and rail
based park and ride facilities;
4,157 staff live within the recommended 1km walking and 4km cycling distance to work4; and
There are significant clusters of staff living close to each other that could potentially car share
throughout Northern Ireland to the various sites in the Greater Belfast Area.
4 Measurement of Accessibility to and from the site, Transport Assessment Guidelines for Development
Proposals in Northern Ireland November 2006
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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Business Travel
2.17 The staff survey also provided the opportunity to collect data on business travel for the Trust.
Table 2.1 summarises average business miles travelled annually by usual mode used.
Table 2.1 Belfast Trust Staff Business Travel
Mileage
Number of staff claiming by mode
Total
(survey respondents)
Car
driver
Car
sharing Bus Train
Trust
Shuttle
Bus
Motor-
cycle Cycle Walk Taxi
0-500 352 40 24 5 50 1 8 45 10 535
501-1,000 158 9 1 0 5 1 1 3 2 180
1,001-
3,000 210 5 2 0 3 1 0 4 0 225
3,001-
5,000 102 3 0 0 4 0 0 3 0 112
5,001-
10,000 58 1 1 1 3 0 0 1 2 67
Over
10,000 32 2 1 0 8 1 0 4 0 48
2.18 Only a small proportion of staff travel over 10,000 miles per annum for business purposes. It
should also be noted that car sharing, the use of the Trust Shuttle bus and walking are all
sustainable travel modes used by Belfast Trust staff on a regular basis for business purposes. 2.19 A number of key findings from the staff survey in relation to business travel are as follows:
816 respondents who stated they drove to work as they needed their car for business trips.
The majority of these respondents conduct business trips at least once a week (total of 716
staff);
22% of those conducting business by car (231 of 1,058) would consider using bus or train to
conduct business travel and 24% would consider using a pool car;
707 respondents stated they would consider working at home; and
1,048 staff conducting business travel stated that they do not have access to tele
conferencing or video conferencing facilities.
2.20 It should be noted that duties associated with job roles may not facilitate home working or smarter
working methods such as home visits.
Patient and Visitor Travel
2.21 There were 336 patient and visitor interview surveys completed at five Belfast Trust sites, namely
Holywood Arches Centre (69), Belfast City Hospital (78), Mater Hospital (51), Musgrave Hospital
(35) and Royal Group of Hospitals (103).
2.22 The aim of the survey was to gain an understanding of:
Modal split;
General parking arrangements; and
Willingness to use alternative modes to the car if they do not already.
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2.23 The Travel Survey analysis report as included in Appendix A summarises all data collected as part
of the 2010 surveys.
2.24 Actual modal split for visitors and patients to the Belfast Trust sites are in Figure 2.2.
Figure 2.2 - Travel Modal Split for Belfast Trust Patients and Visitors
2.25 A summary of the key findings from the survey is as follows:
74.7% of patients and visitors duration of stay at the Trust facilities is two hours or less;
236 (72.4%) patients and visitors travelled by car on the day of the survey (car driver or
passenger). 124 of the total persons surveyed would consider using alternative modes
including public transport, walking and cycling;
42% of those who travelled by car had difficulty finding a parking space at the Trust site;
1 Arches Centre survey respondent cycled and 27 persons walked to Holywood Arches
Centre, Belfast City Hospital, Mater Hospital and Royal Group of Hospitals; and
33 survey respondents travelled by public transport to all the sites except for Musgrave Park
Hospital (10%).
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180 164
72
1
276
28 27
1
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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3. Travel Plan Objectives and Targets 3.1 This Travel Plan has been developed to encourage staff to travel by more sustainable transport
modes to and from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust sites.
3.2 The Travel Plan objectives and targets address all transport related issues linked to staff
commuting to their place of employment and those travelling for business purposes. The
opportunity to influence all users of the Trust sites through the workings of this Travel Plan
including visitors and patients has also been identified.
3.3 There are approximately 20,000 staff employed by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. The
staff travel survey showed that the dominant mode of travel to all the sites is by private car.
3.4 46% of staff who regularly drive on their own to work and responded to the survey indicated that
they would consider using an alternative mode of transport. An overall target of a reduction of
21.7% of car driver trips over the next five years is therefore not unrealistic.
3.5 The staff travel survey also showed that business travel is undertaken by 38% of respondents at
least once a week to conduct home visits, meetings, training and other work related visits in
association with their job.
Travel Plan Objectives
3.6 Travel Plan objectives determined for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust to encourage staff
to use sustainable modes where possible to reduce staff reliance on the private car are as follows:
1. improve access for all staff, patients and visitors to the Belfast Trust sites;
2. encourage a reduction in car use to the Belfast Trust sites and for business purposes;
3. improve the choice of modes and encourage travel by public transport, car sharing, walking
and cycling;
4. improve health and wellbeing of staff through the promotion of active travel;
5. improve the availability to staff of affordable travel options; and
6. support the Belfast Trust Travel Plan in line with other corporate policies.
3.7 The Travel Plan targets were set with the purpose of meeting the objectives as listed above. The
information collected through staff surveys and other means has been used to make an informed
judgement about opportunities for change.
2015 Travel Plan Targets
3.8 A number of Travel Plan targets are provided to enable the Trust to quantify whether they are
meeting their objectives over the next 5 years. These achievable, but challenging targets are
based on current best practice and the Trust’s motivation to develop a sustainable Travel Plan
which in turn will reduce harmful transport related greenhouse gas emissions, reduce congestion
in and around Greater Belfast through better management of existing car parking facilities and
promote healthier and more active lifestyles for employees.
An increase in the number of trips made by walking and cycling from 7.9% of staff currently
to 16% by December 2015. Approximately 572 staff (29.6% of respondents) indicated that
they would consider cycling or walking to work as part of the staff survey and the analysis of
staff postcode data for the Trust indicated that approximately 21% staff lived within a 15
minute walk or cycle ride of work;
An increase in the number of trips made by car sharing from 6.9% currently to 10% by
December 2015. 381 staff (19.7% survey respondents) indicated that they would consider
car sharing as part of the staff survey and the analysis of staff postcode data indicated that
there are clusters of staff living in similar areas;
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
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An increase in the number of public transport users from 12.5% currently to 23% by
December 2015. 809 staff (41.9% survey respondents) indicated that they would consider
travelling to work by public transport and the analysis of staff postcode data showed that
large numbers of staff live close to a bus or rail service; and
A reduction in the number of lone car drivers from 70.8% in 2010 to 49.1% in 2015 through
the use of alternative modes.
Setting & Achieving Targets
3.9 Implementation of initiatives which can deliver these targets forms the basis of the Belfast Trust
Travel Plan. The choice of initiatives reflects the current transport facilities on and around the
Trust sites and facilities within the Greater Belfast area as well as the analysis and feedback
gained from the staff survey results. Each initiative will contribute towards one or more of the
targets.
3.10 The targets strike the right balance between being achievable yet challenging. In addition,
success in achieving these targets will deliver tangible improvements on the ground within the
Trust sites. The targets therefore need to deliver sufficient change to provide a reward and
encouragement for the scheme to continue. The targets will be reviewed regularly through the
conduct of regular staff travel surveys to ensure initiatives are successful and still relevant. The
initiatives and related targets are summarised in Chapter 4.
3.11 Visitors and patient travel will also be targeted to encourage the use of sustainable modes. There
are a number of initiatives set in the Travel Plan which will have an influence on visitor and patient
travel but there are no specific targets set. As the plan develops, additional visitor and patient
interview surveys will be conducted at the Belfast Trust sites to monitor how the Travel Plan
influences travel.
Monitoring & Reviewing the Travel Plan
3.12 The Travel Plan Coordinator and the Travel Plan Group are responsible for organising regular
staff travel surveys and a key task will be to review the Belfast Trust Travel Plan. The data
collected from the surveys can be used to assess if the targets and initiatives are realistic and to
monitor the plans’ progress.
3.13 The data gathered through staff travel surveys will allow the Travel Plan group to review the
Travel Plan initiatives, to continue with measures which have a positive effect or changing
direction where they have lacked efficiency or impact.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
16
4. Travel Plan Initiatives 4.1 This section outlines the means by which Travel Plan Targets and Objectives will be achieved by
the employees of Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. As previously noted, there may also be
the opportunity to influence visitor and patient travel. Initiatives outlined for the Trust will promote
the use of sustainable modes of transport to and from the various Trust facilities. The staff travel
data and site audit results were taken into account to select Travel Plan initiatives and measures.
4.2 This section also describes how the Travel Plan initiatives and measures will be implemented,
monitored and reviewed during the coming five years to ensure that progress is being made in
facilitating more sustainable travel patterns. To encourage staff to walk, cycle and use public
transport to travel to and from work the Trust needs to accommodate and ensure non-car modes
are more attractive. Alternatives to the car could also be promoted to patients and visitors to
make them aware of all the travel options available to them to get them to and from the facilities
conveniently.
4.3 Each initiative is summarised in a short table showing:
the actions required to implement and develop each Travel Plan measure;
a target based on current staff travel data and a subsequent timescale within which the
measure should be implemented. It should be noted that the timescale given is subject to
necessary resources; and
who will be responsible for implementing the initiative.
4.4 Initiatives are as follows:
Travel Plan implementation;
Car parking facilities;
Promoting public transport;
Promoting walking and cycling;
Providing motorcycle and cycling facilities;
Facilitating and promoting car sharing; and
Addressing business needs.
4.5 At the end of this section, the Travel Plan Action Plan summarises all initiatives identified for the
Trust and their associated characteristics.
Car Park Management
Background
4.6 Managing car parking facilities is a vital part of travel planning. If plentiful car parking is provided
for staff, they will not be encouraged to use an alternative to travel to work. Parking pressures are
experienced at a number of the Trust sites at peak times especially during outpatient clinics and
visiting times at the hospital sites. The Trust has developed a Draft Operational Car Parking
policy to reduce congestion on sites which has caused patients to arrive late for their
appointments.
4.7 The management of car parking has allowed the Belfast Trust to allocate parking for a number of
user groups as well as implement parking charges. User groups and facilities are as follows:
Patients / visitors – designated paid parking areas provided at Belfast City Hospital, Royal
Hospital and Mater Hospital (ticket and pay station system) for patients and visitors. Tariffs
are displayed as hourly rates and vary on each site. There is free parking eligibility for
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
17
patients with specific acute conditions attending hospital on a regular basis and next of kin
when transporting a patient. Other discretionary situations include parents staying with sick
babies or with a very sick or dying patient for example which is certified by a ward sister to a
maximum of 7 days.
The Hospital Travel Cost Scheme (HTCS) also provides financial assistance to low income
patients which allows a reimbursement of part or full fares incurred in travelling to hospital
based services if the reason for travelling to the Trust sites meets the criteria.
Disabled patients / visitors – reserved charged parking spaces provided in all Belfast Trust
sites in a convenient location to entrances. Those using spaces without blue badges will be
subject to wheel clamping. It should be noted that there is no requirement to provide free
parking where parking charges apply.
Staff – designated charged car parking is provided on each Trust site which can be accessed
using a valid parking pass for Belfast City Hospital, Royal Hospital and Mater Hospital sites.
This is managed by Estates Management. All staff are subject to charges and regular car
park users pay by salary deduction only (amount varies for each site). If cards are not used
for 90 days they are deactivated and a new application must be made. There is a waiting list
for new staff and each pass must only be used by the person to whom it was issued. Staff
parking at other sites where charges are incurred, are required to pay and reclaim the
charges through their expenses.
Emergency services – Ambulance Service Trust vehicles are exempt from charges and are
not permitted to park in restricted areas during periods of driver down time.
4.8 Other user groups facilitated by the Belfast Trust in their car parks are as follows:
Disabled staff;
Volunteer drivers;
Motorcyclists;
Cyclists; and
Service providers and contractors – contractor vehicles are subject to charge unless
allocated site compounds are agreed.
4.9 The policy allows for clamping of vehicles parked in unauthorised areas by Belfast Trust security
staff and will be removed when a fine is paid (waived in exceptional circumstances except if the
vehicle is obstructing traffic flow or emergency vehicles). Unauthorised areas include drop off and
pick up zones, emergency hatched areas / in front of emergency exits, double yellow lines,
ambulance bays, grass verges, pavements and disabled bays if no blue badge is displayed.
4.10 There may also be an opportunity to review the current parking policy to implement a points based
criteria throughout the Belfast Trust sites to restrict staff bringing their cars to work. Criteria could
include:
1. Mobility difficulties;
2. Essential Business Users;
3. Car sharing;
4. Out of hours work responsibilities;
5. Care commitments / responsibilities (personal circumstances); and
6. Home address too far to walk or inconvenient for using public transport.
4.11 The permit system should be fair and should be applied to all staff grades and can be controlled
easily using barriers.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
18
Survey Data
4.12 As outlined in section 2, there are 886 respondents who stated that they drove to work as they
needed their car for business trips; 716 of these respondents conduct business trips once a week
or more frequently and 13 staff never conduct business travel. Also 22% of those conducting
business by car (231 of 1,058) would consider using the bus or train to conduct business travel
and 24% would consider using a pool car as alternative to the car.
4.13 It has been noted that 707 respondents stated they would consider home working and although
staff have access to tele conferencing or video conferencing facilities it should be noted that duties
associated with job roles such as home visits may not facilitate home working or smarter working
methods such as home visits.
Travel Plan Initiatives
4.14 The following initiatives have been included to make better use of car parking spaces that are
currently provided at the Belfast Trust sites.
(CP) Action Targets Responsibility
CP1
Car Park Management: Enforce vehicle
clamping at appropriate sites to ensure
vehicles only park in designated areas,
including disabled parking spaces;
December 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP2
Car Park Management: Review and
improve signage to clearly direct staff,
visitors and patients to designated parking
areas;
June 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP3 Car Park Management: Allocate car parking
spaces to car sharers; June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP4
Car Park Management: Review the need for and provide covered motorcycle parking facilities, typically 3 motorcycles can be fitted into an average car parking space;
Review - June 2012
Implementation -
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP5
Car Park Management: Review and update the car parking policy with a view to discouraging staff and others travelling by car and to include the measures noted above;
June 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP6 Car Park Management: Consider the provision of a number of electric charging points for electric powered vehicles
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, DRD, Travel Plan coordinator
4.15 There is a potential to review the current Car Parking policy to give certain staff priority to spaces
(using a fair and equitable criteria system) in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint by travelling
more sustainably to and from work.
Public Transport
Background
4.16 Belfast Trust sites are located in the Greater Belfast area with exception to Muckamore Abbey
Hospital. All sites are accessible by public transport which includes a mix of bus and train and
park and ride.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
19
4.17 However, using public transport can be a stressful experience as there are so many uncertainties
such as the location of the bus stop, the time the bus or train leaves, whether you have enough
money, whether you make your connection on time, and so on. These uncertainties can be
minimised through planning and making travel information available and also by using the
Translink website and call centre.
4.18 Flexitime can help to schedule the working day around catching buses and trains. There are
many advantages of using public transport such as saving money on city centre parking and
charged car parking within Trust sites as well as reducing the stress of finding a space. Public
transport it is more environmentally friendly mode of travel.
Survey Data
4.19 282 survey respondents currently use public transport on a regular basis to commute to and from
work. 25% of regular lone car driver respondents stated that they would consider using public
transport as a means of travelling to work. Postcode analysis also showed there is a large
potential for Belfast Trust staff to travel to work by bus and train (included in Appendix B).
Initiatives
4.20 The table below summarises initiatives in relation to promoting and increasing the use of public
transport for commuter trips as well as for business purposes. Travel information displays will
also encourage visitors and patients to use public transport and other sustainable modes.
(PT) Action Targets Responsibility
PT1
Public Transport: Inform staff of Public Transport facilities including the Interactive Journey Planner service, ticketing, public transport services and Park and Ride services;
June 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Communications
PT2
Public Transport: Promote existing public transport services through Getting There section on website and link in with patient appointment cards;
June 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Communications
PT3
Public Transport: Investigate opportunities to use the Translink’s Corporate Commuter Initiative (CCI) to encourage staff to travel to work by alternative modes;
March 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT4
Public Transport: Promote TaxSmart which
allows staff to purchase annual tickets via
monthly payments to the Trust through
salary sacrifice);
ongoing
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT5
Public Transport: Promote Advance Salary
scheme which allows Belfast Trust to
purchase annual NIR tickets on behalf of
staff thus facilitating monthly payments to
the Trust;
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT6
Public Transport: Target staff induction
days for promotion of public transport,
including TaxSmart and Advance Salary
scheme;
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT7
Public Transport: Develop document to
explain public transport schemes and
associated incentives, including TaxSmart
and Advanced Salary scheme;
November 2011 Travel Plan Coordinator
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
20
PT8
Public Transport: Continue to introduce
Infopoint Units for direct dial to Translink for
Public Tranport information and provide real
time travel information points in foyers to
display public transport information;
June 2013
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Facilities / Estates
Management
PT9
Public Transport: Consult Roads Service
on the need for Real Time Information at
bus stops;
June 2013
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Roads Service,
Facilities / Estates Management
PT10
Public Transport:Promote internal bus
service for staff which runs from Belfast City
Hospital to Royal Group of Hospitals; and
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT11
Public Transport:Investigate possibility to
expand internal bus services between
hospital facilities and link in with staff travel
policy i.e. where bus is available mileage
expenses are not reimbursable.
December 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator,
Finance
4.21 It should be noted that other integrated journeys associated with public transport travel are walk
and ride and cycle and ride. These modes should be promoted in association with the need for
active lifestyles and health promotion.
Cycling
Background
4.22 Cycling provides health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and strokes, helps
control weight and reduces stress. Cycling can often get you to work more quickly and reliably in
areas where there is traffic congestion as well as providing exercise. Cycling is also good for the
environment and is a relatively low cost mode of transport.
4.23 Also it is important that those staff who can cycle to work and for business purposes are
encouraged to do so to reduce the number of car trips and parking pressures as well as carbon
emissions.
4.24 Cycling can be promoted through Bike User Groups (BUG). A Bike User Group should be
established at Belfast Trust to include employees who cycle or would like to cycle to work or for
leisure. The group would meet in their own time to discuss how conditions for cyclists can be
improved and to persuade more people to give cycling a try. The group should be open to all bike
users and their views, ideas, needs and concerns as these are all valuable. A single
representative can provide feedback at Travel Plan Group or management meetings to make the
workplace more cycle-friendly.
Survey Data
4.25 57 survey respondents cycle to work daily and 163 additional staff members’ cycle occasionally.
Other staff members who currently do not cycle stated they would be encouraged to cycle if
improvements were made at to local routes making them safer and better lit and secure cycle
parking facilities were provided in a good location.
4.26 The postcode data analysis revealed that approximately 4,157 staff could be encouraged to cycle
to work as they live within the 4km recommended cycling distance of their workplace. There may
be a number of staff living beyond this distance willing to cycle to work so this should be treated
as a guide only.
4.27 The survey data also revealed that 153 respondents would be interested in cycling for business
purposes and 12 employees currently conduct business by bicycle and claim mileage allowance
for such travel.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
21
Initiatives
4.28 The following initiatives or actions should help increase the number of Belfast Trust staff cycling to
work. Cycling is ideal for short journeys and has many advantages including saving money.
(C) Action Timescale Responsibility
C1
Cycling: Establish a Bike User Group (BUG) within The Trust. The group would have a number of functions including arranging training days for employees, provide ‘bike doctor’ and ‘bike buddy’ services and take part in bike week;
March 2012 Sustrans, Travel Plan
Coordinator
C2 Cycling: Promote Trust Cycle to Work scheme; ongoing Travel Plan Coordinator
C3 Cycling: Arrange staff discounts at local bicycle supplier stores;
June 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, BUG
C4 Cycling: Investigate a pilot scheme to allow staff to either hire a bicycle or use Trust pool bicycles (if available) for a month to try out cycling;
March 2013
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
C5
Cycling: Promote ‘Bike It with Translink’. All
bicycles will be carried free of charge on trains
(dedicated space permitting) and buses, if the bus
has a boot and space available (there are no
restrictions for folding bikes). However, bicycles
are only permitted after 09:30 Mon-Fri;
March 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, BUG
C6 Cycling: Promote health benefits of cycling and link into Active Belfast group;
ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator, BUG,
Health Improvement, Active Belfast
C7
Cycling: Review cycling links and signing in and
around the Trust sites and implement
improvements where deemed necessary;
Review – June2012
Implementation - June 2013
Sustrans, BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator,
Estates Management
C8 Cycling: Take part in the annual Bike to Work
Week; ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator, BUG,
Health Improvement
C9 Cycling: Promote staff mileage allowance for business travel by bicycle (20 per mile);
March 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
C10
Cycling: Review cycle parking facilities on all
Trust sites (secure and covered stands) and
provide / increase / improve facilities where
deemed necessary;
Review – June 2012
Implementation
- June 2013
Belfast Trust, Estates Management, BUG,
Travel Plan Coordinator
C11 Cycling: Provide a number of pool bicycles at key
locations; June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
C12 Cycling: Develop cycle parking procedure and
integrate into car parking policy; and June 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
C13
Cycling: Review existing locker, changing room
and shower facilities on all Trust sites and provide
/ increase / improve facilities where deemed
necessary.
Review – June 2012
Implementation - June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator, Estates
Management
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
22
4.29 Implementation of the actions listed over the incoming five years will help increase the number of
cycling trips to reach the target walking and cycling modal split of 16% by December 2015
(increase from current modal split of 7.9%).
Walking
Background
4.30 Walking is a cheap way of travelling to work and also provides health benefits such as reducing
the risk of heart disease and strokes, helps control weight and reduces stress. Also it is important
that staff who can walk to work and for business purposes are encouraged to do so to reduce the
number of car trips and carbon emissions.
4.31 A walking group could also be established for those employees who live within close vicinity of
each other but feel unsafe walking alone. The group could identify routes and pickup points for
staff to meet and walk to work wherever possible.
4.32 The Health Promotion Agency NI promotes active living and can be utilised to provide information
and support to the Belfast Trust. There may be an opportunity to provide Trust staff with
pedometers or personal alarms.
Survey Data
4.33 The survey data revealed that 93 respondents currently walk to work and 291 employees
occasionally walk.
4.34 The postcode data analysis revealed that there are 1,272 employee lives within the 1km
recommended walking distance. As the survey data showed, there is a number of staff living
beyond these distances willing to walk to work so these should be treated as a guide only. 168
employees revealed that they would consider walking as a means of making a business trip
instead of using the private car as they do so now.
Initiatives
4.35 The following initiatives or actions should help increase the number of Belfast Trust staff walking
to work. Walking is also ideal for short journeys and has many advantages including saving
money.
(W) Action Targets Responsibility
W1
Walking: Investigate opportunities for foot MOTs
for those who walk to work through a chiropodist /
podiatrist;
March 2013 Travel Plan Coordinator
W2
Walking: Establish walking groups at main sites
and link with existing established walking groups
across the Belfast Trust area;
March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Improvement
W3 Walking: Offer walker leader training to
interested staff; March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Improvement
W4
Walking: Review walking links and signing in and
around the Trust sites and implement
improvements where deemed necessary;
Review – June2012
Implementation - June 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator,
walking group, Estates
Management
W5
Walking: Review existing locker, changing room
and shower facilities on all Trust sites and
provide / increase / improve facilities where
deemed necessary;
Review – June 2012
Implementation - June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator,
Estates Management
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
23
W6
Walking: Promote the health benefits of walking through initiatives such as 10,000 steps to health (www.10000steps.org.au/index/workplaces); and link into Active Belfast group;
ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Promotion Agency, Active
Belfast
W7 Walking: Investigate providing staff with personal
alarms and pedometers to encourage walking; June 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Promotion Agency
W8 Walking: Investigate opportunity to link into staff
discounts at local outdoor leisure stores; June 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Promotion Agency
W9
Walking: Investigate providing awareness
training to vehicle drivers to improve safety of
pedestrians;
June 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Promotion Agency
W10 Walking: Investigate options to provide additional
flexibility for staff walking to work June 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Promotion Agency
4.36 As the actions listed are implemented staff will be encouraged to walk instead of using the private
car, especially for business trips. This will help reach the target walking and cycling modal split of
16% by December 2015 (increase from 7.9% in 2010).
Motorcycles
Background
4.37 Motorcycles have many advantages over cars. These include being cheaper to run, easier to park
and more flexible in traffic. Also motorcycles take up only one third the space of a car in a car
park, therefore 3 motorcycles can be accommodated for every one car parking space
4.38 However, Motorcyclists have an especially poor safety record when compared to other road user
groups. Their killed and serious injury (KSI) rate in the UK, per million vehicle kilometres, is
approximately twice that of pedal cyclists and over 16 times that of car drivers and passengers5.
Survey Data
4.39 The survey data showed that 11 respondents use a motorcycle regularly to get to work and 36
others use a motorcycle occasionally.
Initiatives
4.40 Motorcycling is an alternative mode to travelling alone by private car. Action CP4 in the car
parking management section should therefore be implemented to improve motorcycle facilities
around the Trust sites.
Car Sharing
Background
4.41 It is fact that people have been car sharing for years informally. The Car Share NI is an initiative
which formalises those who share a lift to work and helps staff realise the potential to provide
5 Indepth study of Motorcycle Accidents, Department for Transport, Road Safety Research Report No. 54
November 2004
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
24
other individuals with a lift within the same organisation from a similar origin or those working
locally to others car sharing.
4.42 Car sharing is a great way of reducing travel and parking expenses, reducing traffic on the roads
as well as reducing congestion and pollution.
4.43 The Belfast Trust actively encourages staff to car share and has established a car share user
group on the NI car share website. Membership of this scheme enables staff to find a match for
car sharing to and from work which helps to reduce travel costs and environmental impacts.
Survey Data
4.44 The survey data showed that 6.9% of survey respondents are currently car sharing their journey to
and from work. There is a potential to increase the modal split for car sharing further as reported
from the staff survey.
4.45 1,199 respondents stated that they are not aware of the car share NI website and so information
about the website and car sharing should be distributed to all staff. 22 staff reported that they are
registered on the website but currently do not car share. 667 Trust staff would like some help to
find a colleague to share a lift to work with and 280 staff they would be encouraged to car share if
they have a dedicated parking space.
Initiatives
4.46 There are a number of actions that can be considered over the incoming 5 year period to increase
the number of staff car sharing and in turn reduce the number of staff travelling alone to work in
their private vehicles on a regular basis.
(CS) Action Targets Responsibility
CS1
Car sharing: Promote car sharing to staff
including the use of the Belfast Trust’s Car
Share website;
ongoing Travel Plan Coordinator, Travelwise NI
CS2 Car Sharing: Organise breakfast or lunch
sessions for prospective car sharers to meet; March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator, Travelwise NI
CS3 Car Sharing: Offer Guaranteed Lift Home
(GLH) in case of an emergency; June 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
CS4 Car sharing: Provide designated car sharing spaces; and
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CS5 Car Sharing: Prepare car sharing policy and link into other relevant policies such as the car parking policy and staff travel policy.
June 2013 Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator
Addressing Business Needs
Background
4.47 Business travel is also an important element of the Belfast Trust Travel Plan. There are a number
of ways to reduce business travel mileage and the impact of travelling due to technological
advances and improved public transport in Northern Ireland.
4.48 Belfast Trust staff already has access to telephone conferencing and video conferencing which
reduces the need to travel to meetings locally and further afield where a flight might be involved.
Flexi working and home working arrangements help avoid peak time traffic and reduces the need
to travel to work.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
25
4.49 Pool bicycles and cycling is also a smart way of conducting business locally and when staff use
their own bicycle for business use they can claim business mileage (rate 20 per mile).
Staff Surveys
4.50 Approximately 1491 Trust staff who responded to the survey currently conduct business travel
with 872 staff conducting trips in association with work at least once a week. Only a small
proportion of staff travel over 10,000 miles per annum for business purposes.
4.51 1057 respondents normally use a car to conduct business travelling, driving alone, travelling with
another in a car or using a taxi. Only 7% use public transport services.
4.52 10.7% of respondents currently use video and tele conferencing equipment. 70% reported that
they do not have access to such equipment and so are not aware of their availability within the
Trust.
4.53 231 staff who normally conduct business travel by carreported that they would be encouraged to
use public transport. It has been noted that duties associated with job roles , for example home
visits, may not facilitate home working or smarter working methods.
Initiatives
4.54 Those staff conducting business travel can be encouraged to travel less or travel more sustainably
instead of using the private car where possible. The following initiatives should be implemented
and promoted to Belfast Trust staff.
(B) Action Targets Responsibility
B1
Business Needs: Provide pool bikes and safety
equipment for staff use during their working day
for business trips (see ‘Providing motorcycle and
cycle facilities’ section above).
June 2013 Belfast Trust, BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
B2 Business Needs: Investigate providing pool
cars or vans for staff use. December
2013 Travel Plan Coordinator
B3
Business Needs: Review business travel policy
within Trust to promote use of sustainable modes
including walking, cycling (and potentially provide
cycle milometers), car share, car allowances.
December 2012
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
B4
Business Needs: Promote the use of
sustainable modes for business travel, attending
training etc and link in with business travel
policy.
December 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Finance
B5
Business Needs: Promote availability and use
of existing video and telephone conferencing
facilities for business use.
December 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
B6
Business Needs: Review Trust Fleet vehicles
and their use in conjunction with the Energy
Savings Trust (to include internal mail
distribution) and investigate the use of bicycles
or electric vehicles.
December 2012
Belfast Trust, PCSS, Travel Plan Coordinator
B7 Business Needs: Review Grey Fleet usage in
conjunction with the Energy Savings Trust. December
2013
Belfast Trust, Finance, Travel Plan Coordinator
B8 Business Needs: Produce travel information
specifying which modes of transport the Trust March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
26
considers acceptable for staff travel in relation to
each main site for business purposes (depends
on type of trip undertaken) and support with
walking/cycling route maps where appropriate.
Finance
B9
Business Needs: Investigate the opportunity to
provide staff access to bus services through the
purchase of Smartlink cards and Travel cards by
Trust departments.
March 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, Travel Plan Group
B10
Business Needs: Investigate options which
would allow staff to car share for meetings
throughout the Trust’s Intranet, the Outlook
System or –Lliftshare.
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Finance, Travel Plan
Coordinator, IT,
Travel Plan Group
Travel Plan Implementation
4.55 For the Travel Plan to achieve its objectives and targets, measures and initiatives will need to be
implemented, promoted and monitored. The Travel Plan Coordinator with support from the Travel
Plan Group will set up and implement the Travel Plan measures and initiatives. External partners
may include Translink, Travelwise NI, Sustrans, Health Promotion Agency and the Carbon Trust.
4.56 The Travel Plan Coordinator or coordinators should engage in:
Marketing campaigns to promote sustainable travel and the Travel Plan;
Setting up, coordinating and attending Travel Plan group, interest group and working group
meetings;
Acting as a point of contact for staff requiring information; and
Coordinating the monitoring and review of measures and Travel Plan action plan.
4.57 It is important to brand and continually promote the Travel Plan. Travel Plan communications
should be branded so that staff can see that all the initiatives, information and messages are
linked to the Travel Plan.
4.58 The Travel Plan targets and objectives should be explained as well as informing staff of initiatives
and available travel alternatives.
4.59 For the Trust to progress towards the Travel Plan’s targets, modal split results should be reviewed
through conducting staff travel surveys on a regular basis. For interim years it would be
acceptable to carry out snap shot surveys to collect relevant baseline travel data.
4.60 The Travel Plan coordinator will also gather data on initiatives take up levels such as:
the number of car share scheme members;
the number of employees taking part in the Advance Salary scheme, TaxSmart scheme and
Cycle to Work scheme to purchase public transport tickets or bicycles; and
the number of employees using the cycle and motorcycle parking facilities, etc.
4.61 The Travel Plan coordinator will report on progress to the Travel Plan Group according to the
survey results. The Travel Plan group and the coordinator will then decide on new initiatives,
modification of existing ones, review of targets to ensure they remain challenging but achievable,
etc. If the targets set in the Travel Plan are not met, the Travel Plan coordinator and Group will
review the targets and identify what is preventing them from being met.
Initiatives
4.62 A number of actions can be followed from implementation of the Travel Plan to ensure staff are
aware of their travel options for commuter trips and business purposes.
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
27
(TP) Action Targets Responsibility
TP1
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: It is important that the Belfast Trust Travel Plan is branded to give it an identity that staff can easily recognise when marketing or promoting sustainable measures and initiatives.
September 2011
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Improvement, Communications
TP2
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion:
The Travel Plan coordinator should use every
opportunity to promote the Travel Plan to
employees as well as visitors and patients such
as taking part in events such as Bike Week,
Walk Week and European Mobility Week and
organising promotional and charity events.
ongoing Travel Plan Coordinator
TP3
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust should promote sustainable travel to employees by providing travel information on staff induction packs.
December 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
TP4
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Travel information provided on intranet site and ensure links are available to Cycle to Work scheme, TaxSmart scheme, Car Share NI, Travelwise NI Energy Saving Trust etc to enable staff to easily access all Travel Plan related information.
December 2011
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP5
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Travel information should be provided on webpage under Getting There section (with PT, walk and cycle outlined before car options giving the sustainable modes a sense of priority) to enable patients and visitors to review travel options.
December 2011
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP6
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust should (or continue to do so where applicable) promote sustainable travel to visitors and patients by providing travel information on patient appointment cards.
December 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
TP7 Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust could offer journey planners for staff and patients to outline their travel options.
December 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP8
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Nominate a travel plan coordinator/s to oversee the development and implementation of the Travel Plan (1-2 days per week).
Complete Belfast Trust
TP9
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Invite the relevant departments to nominate a representative to attend Trust Travel Plan group meetings.
Complete Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator
TP10
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Regular initiative take up monitoring and regular staff travel survey, snap shot surveys and consultation where relevant.
September 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator, Travel Plan Group
4.63 As the actions listed are implemented staff will be encouraged to use sustainable modes instead
of using the private car. This will help reach the targets set for the Belfast Trust as follows:
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
28
An increase in the number of trips made by walking and cycling from 7.9% of staff currently
to 16% by December 2015;
An increase in the number of trips made by car sharing from 6.9% currently to 10% by
December 2015;
An increase in the number of public transport users from 12.5% currently to 23% by
December 2015; and
A reduction in the number of lone car drivers from 70.8% in 2010 to 49.1% in 2015 through
the use of alternative modes.
Travel Plan Action Plan 4.64 Table 4.1 summarises the Travel Plan initiatives and measures, showing their target groups,
implementation and expected impact as well as who will be responsible for implementing them
and timescales. The Travel Plan coordinator and Travel Plan group will use this table to monitor
progress.
4.65 The actions have been selected primarily to target staff, however there are a number of measures
and initiatives that will influence visitor and patient travel accordingly.
Table 4.1 Belfast Trust Travel Plan Action Plan
Action Targets Responsibility
CP1
Car Park Management: Enforce vehicle
clamping at appropriate sites to ensure
vehicles only park in designated areas,
including disabled parking spaces
December 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP2
Car Park Management: Review and
improve signage to clearly direct staff,
visitors and patients to designated parking
areas.
June 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan
CP3 Car Park Management: Allocate car
parking spaces to car sharers. June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP4
Car Park Management: Review the need for and provide covered motorcycle parking facilities, typically 3 motorcycles can be fitted into an average car parking space.
Review - June 2012
Implementation -June
2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP5
Car Park Management: Review and update the car parking policy with a view to discouraging staff and others travelling by car and to include the measures noted above.
June 2012
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
CP6 Car Park Management: Consider the provision of a number of electric charging points for electric powered vehicles
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, DRD, Travel Plan coordinator
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
29
Action Targets Responsibility
PT1
Public Transport: Inform staff of Public Transport facilities including the Interactive Journey Planner service, ticketing, public transport services and Park and Ride services;
June 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Communications
PT2
Public Transport: Promote existing public transport services through Getting There section on website and link in with patient appointment cards;
June 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Communications
PT3
Public Transport: Investigate opportunities to use the Translink’s Corporate Commuter Initiative (CCI) to encourage staff to travel to work by alternative modes;
March 2012 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT4
Public Transport: Promote TaxSmart
which allows staff to purchase annual
tickets via monthly payments to the Trust
through salary sacrifice);
ongoing
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT5
Public Transport: Promote Advance Salary
scheme which allows Belfast Trust to
purchase annual NIR tickets on behalf of
staff thus facilitating monthly payments to
the Trust;
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT6
Public Transport: Target staff induction
days for promotion of public transport,
including TaxSmart and Advance Salary
scheme;
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT7
Public Transport: Develop document to
explain public transport schemes and
associated incentives, including TaxSmart
and Advanced Salary scheme;
November 2011 Travel Plan Coordinator
PT8
Public Transport: Continue to introduce
Infopoint Units for direct dial to Translink for
Public Tranport information and provide real
time travel information points in foyers to
display public transport information;
June 2013
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Facilities / Estates
Management
PT9
Public Transport: Consult Roads Service
on the need for Real Time Information at
bus stops;
June 2013
Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator, Roads Service,
Facilities / Estates Management
PT10
Public Transport:Promote internal bus
service for staff which runs from Belfast City
Hospital to Royal Group of Hospitals; and
December 2011 Translink, Travel Plan Coordinator
PT11 Public Transport:Investigate possibility to
expand internal bus services between December 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator,
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
30
Action Targets Responsibility
hospital facilities and link in with staff travel
policy i.e. where bus is available mileage
expenses are not reimbursable.
Finance
C1
Cycling: Establish a Bike User Group (BUG) within The Trust. The group would have a number of functions including arranging training days for employees, provide ‘bike doctor’ and ‘bike buddy’ services and take part in bike week;
March 2012 Sustrans, Travel Plan Coordinator
C2 Cycling: Promote Trust Cycle to Work
scheme; ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator
C3 Cycling: Arrange staff discounts at local bicycle supplier stores;
June 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, BUG
C4
Cycling: Investigate a pilot scheme to allow staff to either hire a bicycle or use Trust pool bicycles (if available) for a month to try out cycling;
March 2013
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
C5
Cycling: Promote ‘Bike It with Translink’.
All bicycles will be carried free of charge on
trains (dedicated space permitting) and
buses, if the bus has a boot and space
available (there are no restrictions for
folding bikes). However, bicycles are only
permitted after 09:30 Mon-Fri;
March 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, BUG
C6 Cycling: Promote health benefits of cycling and link into Active Belfast group;
ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator, BUG,
Health Improvement, Active Belfast
C7
Cycling: Review cycling links and signing in
and around the Trust sites and implement
improvements where deemed necessary;
Review – June2012
Implementation - June 2013
Sustrans, BUG, Travel Plan
Coordinator, Estates Management
C8 Cycling: Take part in the annual Bike to
Work Week; ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator, BUG,
Health Improvement
C9 Cycling: Promote staff mileage allowance for business travel by bicycle (20 per mile);
March 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
C10
Cycling: Review cycle parking facilities on
all Trust sites (secure and covered stands)
and provide / increase / improve facilities
where deemed necessary;
Review – June 2012
Implementation - June
2013
Belfast Trust, Estates
Management, BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
C11 Cycling: Provide a number of pool bicycles
at key locations; June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
C12 Cycling: Develop cycle parking procedure
and integrate into car parking policy; and June 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
C13
Cycling: Review existing locker, changing
room and shower facilities on all Trust sites
and provide / increase / improve facilities
where deemed necessary.
Review – June 2012
Implementation - June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator, Estates
Management
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
31
Action Targets Responsibility
W1
Walking: Investigate opportunities for foot
MOTs for those who walk to work through a
chiropodist / podiatrist;
March 2013 Travel Plan Coordinator
W2
Walking: Establish walking groups at main
sites and link with existing established
walking groups across the Belfast Trust
area;
March 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, Health Improvement
W3 Walking: Offer walker leader training to
interested staff; March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator, Health
Improvement
W4
Walking: Review walking links and signing
in and around the Trust sites and implement
improvements where deemed necessary;
Review – June2012
Implementation - June 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator, walking
group, Estates Management
W5
Walking: Review existing locker, changing
room and shower facilities on all Trust sites
and provide / increase / improve facilities
where deemed necessary;
Review – June 2012
Implementation - June 2013
BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator, Estates
Management
W6
Walking: Promote the health benefits of walking through initiatives such as 10,000 steps to health (www.10000steps.org.au/index/workplaces); and link into Active Belfast group;
ongoing
Travel Plan Coordinator, Health Promotion Agency,
Active Belfast
W7
Walking: Investigate providing staff with
personal alarms and pedometers to
encourage walking;
June 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, Health Promotion Agency
W8 Walking: Investigate opportunity to link into staff
discounts at local outdoor leisure stores; June 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator, Health Promotion Agency
W9
Walking: Investigate providing awareness
training to vehicle drivers to improve safety
of pedestrians;
June 2013 Travel Plan
Coordinator, Health Promotion Agency
W10 Walking: Investigate options to provide
additional flexibility for staff walking to work June 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator, Health Promotion Agency
CS1
Car sharing: Promote car sharing to staff
including the use of the Belfast Trust’s Car
Share website;
ongoing Travel Plan Coordinator,
Travelwise NI
CS2
Car Sharing: Organise breakfast or lunch
sessions for prospective car sharers to
meet;
March 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator,
Travelwise NI
CS3 Car Sharing: Offer Guaranteed Lift Home
(GLH) in case of an emergency; June 2012
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator
CS4 Car sharing: Provide designated car sharing spaces; and
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Facilities / Estates
Management, Travel Plan coordinator
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
32
Action Targets Responsibility
CS5 Car Sharing: Prepare car sharing policy and link into other relevant policies such as the car parking policy and staff travel policy.
June 2013 Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator
B1
Business Needs: Provide pool bikes and
safety equipment for staff use during their
working day for business trips (see
‘Providing motorcycle and cycle facilities’
section above).
June 2013 Belfast Trust, BUG, Travel Plan Coordinator
B2 Business Needs: Investigate providing pool
cars or vans for staff use. December 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator
B3
Business Needs: Review business travel
policy within Trust to promote use of sustainable
modes including walking, cycling (and potentially
provide cycle milometers), car share, car
allowances.
December 2012 BUG, Travel Plan
Coordinator
B4
Business Needs: Promote the use of
sustainable modes for business travel,
attending training etc and link in with
business travel policy.
December 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Finance
B5
Business Needs: Promote availability and
use of existing video and telephone
conferencing facilities for business use.
December 2012 Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator
B6
Business Needs: Review Trust Fleet
vehicles and their use in conjunction with
the Energy Savings Trust (to include
internal mail distribution) and investigate the
use of bicycles or electric vehicles.
December 2012 Belfast Trust, PCSS,
Travel Plan Coordinator
B7
Business Needs: Review Grey Fleet usage
in conjunction with the Energy Savings
Trust.
December 2013 Belfast Trust,
Finance, Travel Plan Coordinator
B8
Business Needs: Produce travel
information specifying which modes of
transport the Trust considers acceptable for
staff travel in relation to each main site for
business purposes (depends on type of trip
undertaken) and support with
walking/cycling route maps where
appropriate.
March 2012
Travel Plan Coordinator,
Finance
B9
Business Needs: Investigate the
opportunity to provide staff access to bus
services through the purchase of Smartlink
cards and Travel cards by Trust
departments.
March 2012 Travel Plan
Coordinator, Travel Plan Group
B10
Business Needs: Investigate options which
would allow staff to car share for meetings
throughout the Trust’s Intranet, the Outlook
System or –Lliftshare.
June 2013
Belfast Trust, Finance, Travel Plan
Coordinator, IT,
Travel Plan Group
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
33
Action Targets Responsibility
TP1
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: It is important that the Belfast Trust Travel Plan is branded to give it an identity that staff can easily recognise when marketing or promoting sustainable measures and initiatives.
September 2011
Belfast Trust, Travel Plan Coordinator,
Health Improvement, Communications
TP2
Implementation, Marketing and
Promotion: The Travel Plan coordinator
should use every opportunity to promote the
Travel Plan to employees as well as visitors
and patients such as taking part in events
such as Bike Week, Walk Week and
European Mobility Week and organising
promotional and charity events.
ongoing Travel Plan Coordinator
TP3
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust should promote sustainable travel to employees by providing travel information on staff induction packs.
December 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
TP4
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Travel information provided on intranet site and ensure links are available to Cycle to Work scheme, TaxSmart scheme, Car Share NI, Travelwise NI Energy Saving Trust etc to enable staff to easily access all Travel Plan related information.
December 2011
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP5
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Travel information should be provided on webpage under Getting There section (with PT, walk and cycle outlined before car options giving the sustainable modes a sense of priority) to enable patients and visitors to review travel options.
December 2011
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP6
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust should (or continue to do so where applicable) promote sustainable travel to visitors and patients by providing travel information on patient appointment cards.
December 2012 Travel Plan Coordinator
TP7
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: The Trust could offer journey planners for staff and patients to outline their travel options.
December 2013
Travel Plan Coordinator (in
alliance with Translink)
TP8
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Nominate a travel plan coordinator/s to oversee the development and implementation of the Travel Plan (1-2 days per week).
Complete Belfast Trust
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
34
Action Targets Responsibility
TP9
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Invite the relevant departments to nominate a representative to attend Trust Travel Plan group meetings.
Complete Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator
TP10
Implementation, Marketing and Promotion: Regular initiative take up monitoring and regular staff travel survey, snap shot surveys and consultation where relevant.
September 2012 Belfast Trust, Travel
Plan Coordinator, Travel Plan Group
Belfast Trust Travel Plan
5. Conclusion 5.1 A draft Travel Plan had been formulated following staff travel surveys conducted in late 2010,
visitor travel surveys, postcode analysis and site audits. Targets have been set and a list of
initiatives and measures identified for the Trust to influence a positive change in modal split where
more staff are car sharing, using public transport, walking and cycling for commuting purposes as
well as for business trips.
5.2 It is important that Travel Plan initiatives and measures and action plan are reviewed to ensure
staff are encouraged to use alternative modes when possible for commuting and business trips.
This will help reduce congestion and vehicular emissions in Belfast city centre as well as reduce
costs for the individual and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust as well as improving travel times.
5.3 The Travel Plan coordinator and Travel Plan Group should ensure all targets are met and support
is gained throughout the development and implementation, period from senior management.