Environmentally-friendly transport

West Lothian Council is working closely with bus operators to reduce carbon emissions and are encouraging the introduction of low floor easy access buses with Euro 3 or Euro 4 engines as standard on local bus services.

It's also environmentally friendly and economic to share your car.  It's easy too!  Simply register with Tripshare West Lothian, it is a safe way of finding a car share partner.  

For information on car sharing or finding a walking or cycling buddy visit www.tripsharewestlothian.com

What is a travel plan?

A travel plan is a package of measures and initiatives that aim to reduce the number of single-occupancy car journeys by providing people with a greater choice.

This choice can include car-sharing schemes, improved cycling and walking facilities, better bus services, restricted car parking allocations, travel information or incentive schemes. It can also mean flexible-working practices such as remote access, home working and video conferencing.

Travel plans come in all shapes and sizes but the most common ones are workplace travel plans, residential travel plans, school travel plans and personal travel plans.

Why do we need a travel plan?

Travel plans have many benefits for us as an organisation, our immediate neighbours and the wider community.  These benefits include:

• Cost savings
• A healthier and more efficient workforce
• Better and more efficient facilities
• Improved accessibility
• Improved public health
• Less pollution and noise
• Happier neighbours

In short, travel plans can help to reduce costs and increase the efficiency and impact of our operations and contribute to local and national targets for health, active travel, road safety, traffic reduction and climate change.

Our travel plans

We are currently working on two travel plans – one for the new Civic Centre in Livingston, which will open in mid-2009 (this plan will cover all eight partner organisations: West Lothian Council, Lothian and Borders Police, Scottish Children Reporter Administration, West Lothian CHCP, Scottish Court Service, Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Services, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service) and one for West Lothian Council only.

The two plans have very similar objectives and targets, and aim to:

• Minimise the effect Civic Centre operations (including commuting) will have on the environment and local community;
• Ensure there are realistic and viable sustainable transport options available to all staff, members and visitors commuting to and from the Civic Centre;
• Ensure accessibility for all staff, members and citizens;
• Promote sustainable travel amongst staff, members and citizens commuting to and from the Civic Centre;
• Prepare staff, members and visitors to the Civic Centre for sustainable travel;
• Minimise the need for staff to travel to the Civic Centre;
• Reduce WLC’s business mileage (particularly by car) in accordance with existing targets;
• Maximise the use of sustainable business travel;
• Maximise financial and operational efficiency;
• Promote active lifestyles and exercise;
• Support the overall change process; and
• Satisfy planning regulations.

Timescale

We expect that the Civic Centre travel plan will be finished and fully operational in summer 2009, and that shortly afterwards the main principles and measures will be adopted for the council travel plan.

Workplace travel plans

Businesses interested in developing workplace travel plans can contact Keith Irving at the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) on 0131 524 5150 or e-mail Keith.Irving@sestran.gov.uk.