The Government's definition of a Travel Plan is:
"A package of initiatives to tackle different aspects of transport, including commuter journeys, business travel and fleet management"
Travel Plans are created voluntarily to manage transport issues and for development or planning purposes.
Reasons for developing a Travel Plan include:
-
Delays and personal stress caused by traffic jams;
-
Parking problems;
-
Congestion resulting in poor air quality;
-
Increased noise pollution.
The Council gives advice to developers and other organisations wishing to develop a Travel Plan. It has also prepared its own Travel Plan which is being implemented over a 5 year period.
Schools are also encouraged to create Travel Plans to reduce congestion in the vicinity of their site and to encourage healthier travel choices by pupils, parents and teachers alike.
Gateshead Council has recently developed a new website to encourage sustainable travel, with an emphasis on school travel. The website can be found here: http://www.travelmatters.org.uk/|
A mapping website is available for parents and children to plan their journey to and from school. It is also useful for teachers in the classroom. More information can be found here|