Why travel should never be the same again

September 23, 2011
By

The University of Bath was named Employer of the Year at today's 10th annual West of England Travel Plan Awards ceremony at Bristol Airport. 

The awards recognise the efforts made by many organisations and companies to reduce their carbon footprint, promote sustainable travel and discourage single occupancy car journeys for both staff and visitors to their workplace by implementing a Travel Plan. 

In all, a total of eight organisations received travel plan awards while a further seven won new sustainable travel awards. They were presented by Councillor Colin Hall, chairman of North Somerset Council at a ceremony in the old airport terminal.

Other gold winners include DAS Legal Expenses Insurance and Peter Brett Associates while silver awards went to the ceremony hosts, Bristol Airport, along with The Highway Agency's office at Temple Quay House, Bristol – and Bath Spa University.

A sustainable travel award went to South Gloucestershire Council, Badminton Road Offices while the University of the West of England was recognised for its Ulink bus service as this year's most sustainable travel plan measure. 
 
UWE was also highly commended for its car share barrier. This was introduced in 2008 at the access point for 90 student car parking spaces. The design of the barrier is such that two separate buttons either side of the barrier need to be pressed simultaneously in order for the barrier to open.

It is thought that this barrier is completely unique and has not been used in any other car share car park. The barrier has resulted in a 98% compliance rate. Given the pressure on existing car parks, there were concerns that the car share area would be underused, but these proved unfounded and in 2010 the barrier was increased to cover 364 spaces. A 2010 survey revealed that car sharing represents 16.8% of trips.

We plan to tell some of the other stories surrounding award winners next week.

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