Staff at the Royal United Hospital are being encouraged to use more sustainable forms of transport through the new Travel Tuesdays project being run by the Council.
Travel Tuesdays, which will run until September 18th, are part of the Council’s commitment to encourage more sustainable forms of transport across the area.
The drop-in sessions for RUH staff include the opportunity to get bikes fixed, find out about loan bikes, free bus and rail tickets, electric bike trials and local car share schemes. Local bike shops have also been invited to take part, and will be at the hospital talking to staff about the Cycle to Work scheme, through employers can loan employees a bike and/or cycling safety equipment.
The sustainable travel team are working directly with local employers, visiting their premises and helping staff to find ways of saving time, money and carbon by making use of all the transport links and options available in the West of England.
Cllr Roger Symonds (Lib-Dem, Combe Down), Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to supporting communities and businesses in adapting to changes in our climate and reducing our carbon footprint.
“Already 23 local businesses are involved with the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Project, and have welcomed the sustainable travel road show into their businesses to look at ways of reducing journeys.”
The RUH also has new secure, covered, cycle parking for staff thanks to funding from the scheme. This has proved successful with staff with more now cycling to and from work. Howard Jones, RUH Director of Estates and Facilities, said, “More cycle storage areas have been provided at our site using funding obtained via the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Employer Grant Scheme. We have placed an additional three covered cycle shelters on site: one at the main entrance, one adjacent to our Princess Ann Wing and one near to our Emergency Department.
“We also used the grant funding to sow wild flower seeds next to the shelter at the Princess Ann Wing. The flowers are now in bloom and have significantly brightened up an area.”
Four other local businesses have also received grants through the scheme to improve facilities for employees looking to use more sustainable transport – Somer Housing (now part of the Curo group), Aquaterra Leisure, the University of Bath and CFH Total Document Management.
Local businesses who would like the travel road show to visit their premises or who would like to find out more about funding for sustainable travel projects should contact the Council on 01225 477608 or email: [email protected].
This work is part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund Project being delivered by the West of England Partnership which involves Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils, working with the Department for Transport.
