DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (141) issued by The Government News Network
on 11 October 2007
More people walk,
cycle and use public transport after using personal travel
planning (PTP) schemes, research unveiled today by Transport
Minister Rosie Winterton shows.
PTP encourages people to consider alternative transport options
to the car. Today's research shows it can reduce the number
of car journeys drivers make by 10%, and the overall distance
travelled by car by 11%. It also offers value for money for local
authorities, giving an average £30 return on every £1 invested
over a 10-year period.
Speaking at the fourth annual Smarter Choices Conference in
Nottingham, Rosie Winterton said:
"Lots of people would like to use their cars less and
sustainable transport more, but need some help to get them
started. This research shows that where local authorities have
worked innovatively to tell people about alternative travel
options, walking, cycling and the use of public transport have
been boosted. This can only bring benefits by cutting congestion,
improving people's health and reducing pollution.
"I am also launching the new Essential Guide to Travel
Planning to encourage employers to develop sustainable travel
plans for their businesses. Well-designed plans can reduce the
number of people travelling to work by car by 15%, potentially
avoiding millions of car miles, and more and more businesses are
waking up to the benefits travel plans can offer.
"Having a travel plan is a win-win for the environment, for
business and for individuals and I am confident that this new
guide will inspire even more people to put one in place."
Personal travel planning (PTP) techniques involve alerting the
public to alternative transport options to the car, either by
personal visits to targeted households by travel advisors or
through local marketing campaigns.
The Essential Guide to Travel Planning - produced for the
Department for Transport's National Business Travel Network -
acts as a 'one stop shop' for advice to employers about
creating a travel plan and replaces the previous Travel Plan
Resources Pack for Employers. It will be sent to members of the
network and made widely available to employers across the country.
Notes to Editors
1. The PTP research, 'Making Personal Travel Planning
Work' looked at the experiences of various PTP projects from
around the country and abroad.
2. The UK case studies featured: Worcester, Peterborough,
Darlington, Lancashire, Bristol, Brighton and Hove, Nottingham and London.
3. The Essential Guide to Travel Planning has been produced for
the DfT's National Business Travel Network, which acts as a
forum for employers to share views and receive information on
creating and implementing a business travel plan. The network
currently has 150 members.
4. The publications were launched at the Smarter Choices
Conference in Nottingham today.
They are available at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/travelplans
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk