Falkirk Council

A Travel Plan is a package of measures aimed at reducing the number of car journeys, in particular single occupancy trips, to and from a development or residential area. It should encourage the use of sustainable transport and aim to reduce the impact of a development on the surrounding road network.

A successful Travel Plan will provide a development with a range of travel options to and from the site. A range of incentives and disincentives should be used to encourage staff and visitors to travel by more sustainable means. A Travel Plan has many benefits, including:

improved health and fitness
cost savings
increased travel options
reduced stress levels
improved quality of life.

For more information on Travel Plans, please visit Choose Another Way|.

Why develop a Travel Plan?

There are many benefits to be gained, not only to employers but also to employees and the wider community. Examples of these benefits are:

Employers and local businesses can benefit from:

increased productivity generated by a healthier, more motivated workforce;
potential savings in travel expenses;
reduced traffic congestion;
reduced demand for car parking and improved access by employees, visitors and deliveries; and
a Travel Plan can assist a company to gain environmental accreditation, such as ISO 140001.

Employees can benefit from:

improved health;
greater choice;
personal cost and time savings;
reduced stress; and
a general improvement in their quality of life.

The local community can benefit from:

reduced traffic congestion;
reduced journey times;
improved public transport services and facilities; and
reduced overspill parking in residential areas.

The wider environment can benefit from:

reduced levels of carbon dioxide emissions; and
reduced air and noise pollution.

Key Steps

The key steps in introducing a Travel Plan are:

Secure senior management support
Identify roles and responsibilities
Undertake a site assessment and staff travel survey
Define objectives
Set targets
Identify measures
Monitor
Review and report progress
Awareness raising and marketing

For more information, please visit Choose Another Way|.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

Falkirk Council have developed a Supplementary Planning Guidance note on Travel Plans, which provides advice for developers who need to submit a Travel Plan as part of their development. The SPG provides a background to Travel Plans, guidance as to when a Travel Plan is required and what Falkirk Council expects from developers.

The Travel Plan SPG can be viewed here|.

This guidance can also be used by any organisation wishing to develop a Travel Plan for an existing site.

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