TravelWise for Businesses
Business TravelWise is part of our work which focuses on businesses and the workplace. Our aim is to highlight new approaches to dealing with transport issues and to offer effective solutions to transport problems. Travel and transport affects all businesses, not just those that have company vehicles. One of the biggest transport issues facing many businesses is how their staff actually get to work, and a travel plan is an effective tool to manage this.
What is a Business Travel Plan?
A Business Travel Plan is a strategy for managing business travel and staff commuting. It also considers the impact of visitors and deliveries to your site. The Travel Plan Advisory Team at Lancashire County Council can help you to develop the Plan as a joint effort.
Why do I need a Plan?
Congestion and car parking are two main concerns for businesses today. Many businesses, for example, suffer problems with overcrowded car parks - cars can spill out onto neighbouring streets giving you a reputation as a bad neighbour. Rather than increasing your car-parking provision, why not look at measures that will reduce the amount of traffic to your site? Society is gearing itself up for greater use of public transport, cycling and walking as well as better use of cars. Also, a travel plan might be a requirement if you are applying for planning permission. A forward thinking company should re-assess its use of transport in the light of these new trends.
What benefits will a Business Travel Plan bring to my business?
Producing a Business Travel Plan will:
- Reduce traffic congestion at your site
By introducing just one simple measure to your organisation, such as a car-sharing scheme, you can make a visible difference to traffic congestion. - Help with planning applications
Organisations applying for planning permission are increasingly being asked to produce a Travel Plan to show how they intend to manage the potential traffic impact of development. - Help improve your company's image
Developing a Business Travel Plan can help your company to promote itself as a good, conscientious employer. It can also enhance your public image. - Attract new customers and/or staff
Your business will be more accessible to the one in three households that don't have cars.
To find out more about Travel Plans, or the services offered by Lancashire County Council's Travel Plan Advisory Team, email travelplans@env.lancscc.gov.uk or call 01772 532415 or 01772 536074.
The Department For Transport have produced an Essential Guide For Business Travel Planning which you may find useful. Read it here(PDF 5.31MB)
Useful links
Department For Transport - travel plan information
National Business Travel Network – promoting business travel planning
Carbon Trust - works with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercial low carbon technologies