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CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY
Name: Sustainable Travel Policy & Procedure
Date: 07.08.17 Release: v1.18
Author: Geoff Marsh
Owner: Geoff Marsh
Client: CCCU
Document Number: GM/CP-00002
Note: Please ensure this is the latest version and all previous versions are destroyed
Approvals
Name Signature Title Date of
Issue
Version
Andrew
Ironside
Pro-Vice Chancellor -
Resources
2/11/2016 1.8
Tony Lavender Pro-Vice Chancellor –
Research &
Knowledge Exchange
2/11/2016 1.8
Andrew
Ironside
Pro-Vice Chancellor -
Resources
5/1/17 1.9
Andrew
Ironside
Pro-Vice Chancellor-
Resources
09/0317 1.10
Andrew
Ironside
Pro-Vice Chancellor-
Resources
30/3/17 1.11
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
04/04/17 1.12
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
15/06/17 1.13
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
26/06/17 1.14
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
03/08/17 1.15
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
07/08/17 1.16
Eamon Malone Director of Estates
and Facilities
16/08/2017 1.17
David Shepherd Deputy Vice-
Chancellor
04/09/2017 1.18
Distribution
Name Title Date of
Issue
Version
Peter Rands Director of Sustainability
Rob Thrower Project Director of Estate Master
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Plan
Eamon Malone Director of Estates & Facilities
Revision History
Revision
Date
Summary of Changes Changes
Marked
8.12.16 Pre-consultation document
09.03.17 Revised pre-consultation document
15.6.17 Final draft – post consultation
26/06/17 Final draft – for SMT approval
07/08/17 Final version - for SMT approval
16/08/17 Final version - for SMT approval
Review Date
Name Review due Review signature Date of
review
Changes
AD E&F (F) 31.7.18
Page 3 of 17
Introduction
The University Travel Plan 2017 applies to all students, staff and visitors of all campuses, and
supports the University’s strategic commitment to “Build a sustainable future”.
The Local Transport Plan for Kent, published in April 2011, sets out Kent County Council’s
overall transport strategy. The Plan recognises the need to maintain good accessibility by
car balanced against the requirement to meet the growing demand for travel, through the
promotion of attractive and safe sustainable alternatives.
Canterbury Christ Church University will strive to constantly and consistently deliver its
sustainable travel principles for staff, students and visitors.
In taking this policy forward, the University will continue to invest in sustainable transport
initiatives through applying funds generated through car parking charges, together with
matched sums from other University resources. Particular initiatives will include:
• investing in more electric vehicles
• on site charging points
• pool cars
• enhanced public transport initiatives
1. Key issues, objectives and targets
1.1 Issues
The University has three campuses in Canterbury, Broadstairs and Medway, and a Centre in
Tunbridge Wells. Each of these has differing travel and transport issues based on its
geographical location and local transport infrastructure, but a common theme is that the
promotion of sustainable travel is essential in order for the University to remain an attractive
place to study and work.
The purchase of the former HM Prison in Canterbury has enabled the University to increase
temporarily the available number of car parking spaces in Canterbury from 542 to 659.
However, the Estate Master Plan involves the consolidation of multiple University sites across
Canterbury on to the North Holmes Campus, which will significantly reduce the overall
number of parking spaces available in the short to medium term. During periods of
construction several car parks across the North Holmes Campus will be removed from use,
which will lead to short-term reductions in available parking on the site.
Once the Estate Master Plan is completed, the number of parking spaces on the North
Holmes Campus will be approximately 364. In addition, the University will retain its parking
capacity at St Gregory’s, the Priory, the Sports Centre, Vernon Place and Augustine House.
As previously advised, the University’s long term plan is to dispose of other accommodation
in Canterbury including Hall Place - Harbledown, 21 New Dover Road, Lady Wootton’s Green
and Rochester House.
In this context, there is a clear need for the Travel Plan to deliver a comprehensive
programme of initiatives that promote and encourage sustainable travel behaviour for the
future, along with a series of measures to maintain the ongoing operation and accessibility
of the University’s campuses.
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1.2 Objectives
The Travel Plan sets out four clear objectives in support of the University’s strategic
commitment to “Build a sustainable future”. These are to:
• Maintain accessibility and business operation of University campuses;
• Encourage active and sustainable travel;
• Reduce the use of the private car;
• Monitor and understand travel behaviours.
1.3 Targets
To enable the University to deliver its Travel Plan objectives, the following targets have been
developed:
Target 1. Increased awareness of the Travel Plan across our staff and student
communities.
Target 2. Increase the number of staff who choose to walk to work from 14% to
17%.
Target 3. Increase the number of students who choose to cycle to the University from
1% to 6%
Target 4. Decrease the use of private cars to travel to work (excluding Park and Ride)
for staff from 54% to 44% and for students from 16% to 9%.
Target 5. Increase the use of the Park and Ride facilities by 23% for staff and 33% for
students.
Target 6. Undertake an annual survey of staff/students to monitor travel behaviour
and capture differences in modes of travel.
Local targets are currently under development for wider consultation at Broadstairs and
Medway campuses, along with the University’s Centre at Tunbridge Wells.
In developing the Travel Plan the University has considered national and local planning
policy, best practice guidance, and has benchmarked against other universities’ travel plans.
More detail including links to the full plans can be found in Appendix C.
2. Sustainable travel principles
The Travel Plan objectives are closely aligned with the institution’s sustainable travel
principles. These principles are outlined below:
The University will:
I. Support all staff to carry out their roles as effectively, efficiently and sustainably
as is reasonably possible.
II. Give priority to those students and staff with a need due to disability or health
condition or with caring responsibilities, and to staff with essential business
requirements1
.
1 The definition for essential business use is travel a minimum of three times per week in order to carry out a specific role.
Page 5 of 17
III. Promote ‘Active travel’ to enhance health and wellbeing.
IV. Reflect the geographical and local conditions for each campus location through
application of the policy.
V. Promote all forms of sustainable transport to students, staff and visitors to
support their attendance at the University.
VI. Facilitate the move to more sustainable travel through the support of other
travel modes (for example, Park and Ride) and realistic charging regimes
where applicable.
VII. Encourage the exploration, promotion, and support of alternative ways of
working that enable staff to continue to deliver effective services that support
work-life balance and meet the challenges of sustainability and travel
planning.
VIII. Work with and operate within the context of local transport arrangements and
policies for Kent, Canterbury, Broadstairs, Medway and Tunbridge Wells and
adapt campus travel policies accordingly.
IX. Annually review parking, policies and eligibility for parking permits.
3. Alternatives to campus parking
Staff and students’ travel choice is based on many different and overlapping factors, from
home and work commitments to cost or lifestyle preferences. The University has a
responsibility to develop policies that encourage individuals to reduce dependence on the
car to help achieve the University’s sustainability objectives and reduce its carbon footprint.
It is recognised that mode of travel often appears to be based on necessity rather than
choice. As part of the development and implementation of this Travel Plan, the University
will consult with staff and students to understand the impact of change. Through this
engagement the institution will develop alternative travel initiatives to help mitigate the
impact of reduced campus parking and facilitate change.
i. Cycling and Walking
The University is supporting staff and students who can cycle and walk to the University
by providing facilities at all campuses for secure cycle storage, as well as showers and
changing and drying rooms, wherever practicable, for bad weather and travel. By working
with the Bicycle User Group (BUG) it is planned to extend storage space and enhance
existing facilities in the future.
The University supports staff to purchase new cycles and will continue to work with the
local city and town councils to improve cycle lanes and any other schemes that will make
travel safer and easier for everyone at the University.
Page 6 of 17
ii. Staff Pool Cars
The University retains a number of pool cars at Canterbury which are provided in
partnership with Enterprise Car Club and can be booked through
www.enterprisecarclub.co.uk/gb/en/home.html by staff enrolled on the system. Use is
constantly monitored and the number of cars will change to reflect the needs of the
University.
iii. Park and Ride and shuttle services (Canterbury)
The University is very fortunate to be based in the busy city of Canterbury, just a short walk
away from the city centre and on a World Heritage Site. As with any city centre, space and
parking is limited, a challenge that extends to our campus.
To help mitigate this, the University has a subsidised scheme for the City Council Park and
Ride facilities which offers discounted tickets to University staff and students. These can
be purchased online at http://shop.canterbury.ac.uk and collected from Rochester House,
Old Sessions House or Augustine House receptions. Buses start from 7am2
. The Estates
and Facilities helpdesk, extension 2325 or facilities-helpdesk@canterbury.ac.uk, can offer
help and advice on all travel options.
The institution also operates a complimentary free shuttle service that runs from 7am to
6.10pm, Monday to Friday, from both Hall Place (A2) and Polo Farm (A257) car parks.
Please note, unlike Polo Farm, Hall Place does not offer free parking.
iv. Train users
Canterbury has the benefit of the East and West stations, and Medway is within a
reasonable distance of Gillingham, Rochester and Chatham stations. Broadstairs Campus
is 30 minutes away from Broadstairs station, and the Meadow Road Centre in Tunbridge
Wells has excellent links to a station. The University offers a season ticket purchase scheme.
For more information, please contact your HR representative.
v. Bus schemes
The University offers discounted bus schemes for staff and students with Arriva (Medway)
and Stagecoach (Canterbury)3
. Discounts from these companies could increase each year
if we use their services more.
Through the Estates and Facilities Administration team, 16-18 year olds can apply for the
Kent under 19 travel card and the University will liaise with Kent County Council for ticket
delivery.
2 www.canterbury.gov.uk/parking-travel-roads/park-and-ride 3 https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/students/transport-and-accommodation/travel-and-parking/public-transport-and-discounts.aspx
Page 7 of 17
vi. Car Share scheme
Staff and students can also benefit from a scheme called Liftshare which advertises shared
journey opportunities - saving money, cutting congestion and reducing harmful car
emissions. This is available at https://liftshare.com/uk 4. Considering your circumstances and alternatives
The limited supply of car parking spaces in Canterbury and across the campus network
means that the University is not able to provide a guaranteed car parking space. It is
important, therefore, that the University is able to offer sustainable travel alternatives to
staff, students and visitors.
In line with the institution’s commitment to minimising the environmental impact of travel,
the University will continue to explore, promote and support the expansion of existing
schemes and develop new, alternative, ways of working. This will enable staff to continue
to deliver effective services that support both an enhanced student experience and employee
work-life balance while meeting the challenges of sustainability and travel planning.
4.1 Parking
Canterbury
The Estate Master Plan will bring about many changes at the Canterbury
Campus and will impact on the number of parking spaces available during the
redevelopment phases. It is important to note, however, that the Estate
Master Plan recognises the importance of maintaining a minimum car parking
capacity, and therefore 364 places will be maintained, primarily through the
creation of basement car parking beneath Building 2.
Car parking charges will apply on the Canterbury Campus between 9am and
4pm Monday to Friday.
During the period 9am–4pm permits must be clearly displayed in the front
windscreen of the vehicle.
At all other times, car parking is available free of charge.
At all times cars should be parked in designated spaces. Failure to do so,
regardless of the time of parking, will result in the issue of a PCN (Penalty
Charge Notice).
The Black Car Park offers a Pay & Display facility, enabling staff and students
who have a “smart card” ID to gain entry through the barrier and park either
using a valid CCCU parking permit or by purchasing a ticket from the Pay &
Display machines.
This facility will be recreated at an alternative location once the
redevelopment of the former prison site takes place.
A University park and ride scheme has been established at Polo Farm, and
operates between 7am and 6.10pm Monday to Friday. Parking is available for
up to 100 cars. A free shuttle bus service is available between Polo Farm and
Page 8 of 17
Old Sessions House.
A free shuttle service will run connecting Hall Place – Harbledown, Augustine
House, Old Sessions House and the bus station. Standard parking restrictions
apply across all University properties in Canterbury.
Medway
On the Medway Campus there is less pressure for space, but there is still a
fixed number of spaces available. There is also a need to ensure a limited
number of parking spaces for students.
Parking at the Medway Campus requires a parking permit. For those staff
based exclusively at the Medway Campus who request a parking permit, a
specific Medway-only permit will be issued. The Medway-only permits are not
restricted by post code or distance.
Visitor day passes are available for occasional use. There are 12 spaces
available for visitor use. These can be booked through the reception desks at
Canterbury or directly through Medway reception. Any requests for a greater
number of spaces should be directed to the Facilities Manager, Campus
Network.
Broadstairs
At the Broadstairs campus, there is sufficient parking available for both staff
and students; consequently, permits will not be required.
Meadow Road Centre – Tunbridge Wells
The Meadow Road Centre in Tunbridge Wells has limited parking, and the
spaces available will be primarily for staff use and subject to permit
arrangements. Any student with a need due to disability, health condition or
childcare / caring responsibilities may also apply for a permit. The building has
excellent facilities nearby including good local public transport links.
The Estates and Facilities helpdesk, extension 2325 or facilities-helpdesk@canterbury.ac.uk
, can offer help and advice on all travel options.
5. Drop off/pick up/short stay
The University recognises that there are particular pressures at certain campus locations in
relation to staff dropping off and/or picking up materials and equipment. A limited number
of dedicated spaces are allocated for free short stay drop off/pick up for a maximum of 30
minutes.
6. Staff parking permit: eligibility criteria
Staff can apply for a parking permit for University car parks, but a permit does not guarantee
that a space will be available at peak times during term time. Refer to Appendix A for
eligibility criteria.
Page 9 of 17
7. Other issues
7.1 Temporary permits
Each member of SMT will be issued with a limited number of permits which can be
allocated on a temporary basis to staff who may have specific short term parking
requirements that are essential to undertake their work. The operating arrangements for
these permits are managed locally and each SMT member is responsible for ensuring they
are used appropriately and reasons for use recorded.
7.2 Motorcycles
Motorcycles are exempt from these arrangements but must use the dedicated spaces
allocated for motorcycles at each campus location.
7.3 In cases of emergency
In the case of an emergency, the University will provide transport to enable an individual
to get back to their vehicle, to access public transport, or another address, as quickly as
possible. This may be by taxi or by University vehicle.
8. Application process
A Staff Car Parking Application form will need to be completed annually and signed before
submitting to the relevant Head of School or equivalent, and if conditions are met to the
SMT member, along with any appropriate evidence in support of the application.
Approved permits will be sent to the member of staff usually within five working days
following receipt of the authorised form by the Estates and Facilities Administration team.
8.1 Appeals
If a member of staff wishes to appeal against a decision not to issue a permit, an appeal
must be made in writing and complete with any other evidence to the Assistant Director
of Estates & Facilities. The appeal will be considered by the appeals panel and a response
sent directly to the member of staff.
9. Student car parking: eligibility criteria
Some students can apply for a parking permit for University car parks, but a permit does not
guarantee a space will be available at peak times during term time. Refer to Appendix B for
eligibility criteria.
10. Staff and student charges
Staff and students who live within three miles of the Canterbury campus are not eligible
to participate in the car parking permit scheme (Blue Badge holders are exempt from this).
All staff who wish to apply for a permit must do so against the agreed criteria in Appendix
A. The Head of School or equivalent, must check and confirm the staff member meets the
criteria, before sending to the relevant SMT member for final approval.
The annual charge for full-time staff will be based on 0.6% of their annual salary. This
Page 10 of 17
equates to £60 per £10,000 salary, e.g. £16,500 = £99. The basis of these charges will
be reviewed annually in line with the University’s sustainability objectives.
Sessional or casual staff who successfully apply for a permit under one of the eligibility
criteria will be required to pay an annual charge, in advance of receiving the permit.
The staff tariff charges are detailed in Appendix A, and student car parking charges are
set out in Appendix B.
10.1 Payment methods
The arrangements for the payment of parking permit charges are set out below:
• Monthly through direct deductions from salary.*
• Advance online payment (Sessional and Casual staff only).
• Advance payment for full-time and part-time students
*It should be noted that from April 2018, the current facility to use a salary sacrifice scheme
to pay for parking charges has been removed by Revenue & Customs; therefore all
payments will be deducted from net pay.
10.2 Maternity, long-term sick leave and extended leave of absence
Permit fees may be suspended during a period of maternity leave, long-term sick leave or
extended leave of absence upon notification by the individual concerned. Full information
is available in the Car Parking Application Process and Operational Arrangements. Permits
need to be surrendered during this period to the Estates and Facilities Administration team
and will be held until return to work. This could also be applied to members of staff who
only work for set periods during the year. Once a staff member leaves the University,
parking permits need to be returned as part of the leavers’ process.
11. Visitor parking
Parking facilities for visitors are limited in Canterbury to the spaces at the Old Sessions House
car park. These must be booked as far in advance as possible through the reception teams.
There is no charge for visitor car parking. Visitors must display a visitor parking permit, which
will normally be sent in advance of the visit. If this is not possible then a permit must be
collected from reception and displayed in the car. In Canterbury, the visitor parking is
located at Old Sessions House. In Broadstairs and Meadow Road, there are separately
marked visitor parking areas: visitors must park in a University marked bay. Staff using these
marked visitor spaces as general bays will be issued with a Parking Charge Notice.
At the Medway Campus, visitor day passes are available for occasional use. There are 12
spaces available for visitor use. These can be booked through the reception desks at
Canterbury or directly through Medway reception. Any requests for a greater number of
spaces should be directed to the Facilities Manager, Campus Network.
Some minibuses coming onto the sites do not fit in normal bays and as such may be
allocated parking in a different location.
Page 11 of 17
12. Car park management and control
All car parking spaces are clearly marked. Blue Badge holders must clearly display both a
valid permit and their Blue Badge in the normal way Parking in unauthorised areas or
inappropriately in visitor spaces or accessible spaces, for example, will result in a Parking
Charge Notice. The University uses the campus security teams to ensure compliance with
the parking regulations.
Any car failing to display the appropriate permit will receive a parking notice and will be
liable for a fee in line with the tariffs generally applied by Local Authorities. Initially, the
parking charge notice will be £70, which will be reduced to £35 if it is paid within 14 days.
It will be the responsibility of individual members of staff and students to ensure that they
comply with the rules governing parking on our sites.
Abuse towards staff carrying out their duties in managing the University’s car parks and the
implementation of this policy will not be tolerated. Staff or students who are breach the
parking arrangements or are abusive may be subject to disciplinary action.
Car parking use will be audited regularly and will include a comprehensive audit in the
autumn of each year in order to review actual use against the permit criteria. The University
is committed to retain both the British Parking Association (BPA) accreditation and the Park
Mark (Safe car park) accreditation.
13. Contractor parking
Contractors’ vehicles will only be allowed on site in order to load and unload as required by
the University. Limited parking will be available through prior consent and only if there is a
specific requirement agreed in advance. In all other cases it is expected that contractors will
park outside of the University’s grounds.
14. Investment in sustainable development
The University will continue to invest any surplus income generated by car parking charges,
plus a matched sum from other University income, in the development of sustainable
transport initiatives such as the shuttle bus.
15. Equality Impact Assessment
As part of our evaluation and review of this policy, an Equality Impact Assessment has been
undertaken. The recommendations of the assessment have been considered in the
development of the policy. The Equality Impact Assessment report will be published on the
University’s web pages.
16. Evaluation and review
A formal evaluation and review of the Sustainable Travel Policy & Procedure will be
undertaken on an annual basis by the Assistant Director, Estates & Facilities (Facilities). This
will then be taken to the Transport & Sustainable Business Working Group (TSBWG) and
ratified at the Sustainability Strategic Management Group (SSMG), which is an executive
group of the Senior Management Team.
Page 12 of 17
APPENDIX A
STAFF PARKING PERMIT CRITERIA
Criterion 1: Blue Badge holders
Members of staff who are blue disability badge holders are entitled to a car parking permit.
Staff who hold a Blue Badge should park in appropriately marked accessible bays, or, if none
are available, a general marked space. A valid permit together with the Blue Badge must be
displayed. The permit is subject to the same tariff as described in the Fees section below.
Criterion 2: Other mobility impairment
Staff who are not Blue Badge holders but who have a mobility impairment are able to apply
for a permit, subject to written confirmation of the impairment from a University
Occupational Health assessment. Holders of this permit in 2016/17 do not need to undergo
an OH assessment for the purposes of renewal, but must make a self-declaration that they
still have the same health need for the permit. Because of the limited number of spaces and
strict eligibility criteria some staff requiring a parking permit due to a disability or long-term
health condition may not always be allocated one. This will be subject to review. (Note: for
staff with a very short-term mobility problem this can be managed through the use of a
SMT member’s discretionary permit.)
Criterion 3: Caring responsibilities
The University recognises that certain staff have specific caring responsibilities which may
require them to have ready access to their vehicle. Applications will be considered for
individuals who meet one of the two criteria set out below:
• Registered carers
Registered carers who require access to a vehicle at work will be eligible to apply for a
parking permit. They will be required to provide current and appropriate documentary
evidence in the form of a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
• Childcare responsibilities
Staff who have the primary responsibility to take a child/children aged 11 or under to or
from pre school childcare/primary school will be able to apply for a parking permit, subject
to providing a copy of the birth certificate or passport.
Criterion 4: Essential business use
Essential business car users are staff whose University duties are of such a nature that it is
essential for them to have a vehicle at their disposal, who need to travel on business at least
three times a week during term time, and who could not reasonably use other means of
transport.
Any member of staff seeking a permit for essential business use must ensure they have
business use insurance cover for their vehicle, and must provide evidence of this, prior to
any permit being issued.
Page 13 of 17
Fees
The annual charge for full-time and part-time staff will be based on 0.6% of their annual
salary4
, e.g.
£16,500 = £99
£30,000 = £180
£45,000 = £270
Sessional or casual staff who successfully apply for a permit under one of the eligibility
criteria will be required to pay an annual charge of:
Tariff
Sessional Staff Annual Fee £42.00
Casual Staff Annual Fee £42.00
Notes
a) Permits will NOT be issued to staff residing within 3 miles of Canterbury campus
unless they meet one of the agreed criteria 1, 2 or 4.
b) Permits will NOT be issued to Associate Staff or Contractors.
c) Heads of School or equivalent, and SMT will determine, using the above criteria and
policy, which members of staff within their areas of responsibility are approved for
a permit.
d) In recognition of the fact that staff may have occasional need of a permit to
undertake essential University work and that other transport options may not be
suitable, members of SMT will be issued with a limited number of permits which they
can allocate on a temporary basis.
e) If two co-habiting CCCU staff / student members wish to apply for a permit, only one
will be issued unless there are exceptional reasons.
f) All staff issued with a personal permit will be required to pay the appropriate parking
fee.
4 Includes market & geographical supplements
Page 14 of 17
APPENDIX B
STUDENT PARKING PERMIT CRITERIA AND INFORMATION
There is limited student parking across the campus network. However, students may apply
for a parking permit at Medway Campus and Hall Place if their course is solely based at one
of these locations. No permit is required to park at the University’s Broadstairs Campus.
Student parking is not permitted at any other University site except where students meet
Criterion 1 or Criterion 2, in which case they may apply for a permit; a fee is charged for
each permit issued.
In addition, students will also be able to access a pay-and-display car park facility at the
North Holmes Road site – currently the Black car park.
Criterion 1: Blue Badge holders
Students who hold a disability Blue Badge are entitled to purchase a permit and to park in
appropriately marked accessible bays or, if none are available, a general marked space. The
Blue Badge and University permit must both be displayed clearly.
Criterion 2: Other mobility impairment
Students who are not Blue Badge holders but require a parking permit because of a disability
or health condition are able to apply for a permit through Student Support, Health and
Wellbeing, subject to medical assessment i.e. written confirmation from a GP and/or an
Occupational Health assessment. This will be subject to review. Students holding such a
permit should park only in a general marked space, not in an accessible space.
Students experiencing short-term mobility problems can enquire about obtaining a
temporary parking permit by requesting the appropriate form through
facilities-helpdesk@canterbury.ac.uk.
Criterion 3: Access to Campus Locations
Limited parking facilities are available at Hall Place (Harbledown), Medway Campus and
Salomons (Tunbridge Wells). Students may apply for a permit if they can demonstrate need
due to distance/insufficient transport infrastructure. A fee will be payable as set out below.
Free parking is available for students at the Broadstairs campus.
Fees
Full-time students pay a fee of £52.50, part-time students £26.25.
Notes
a) Permits will NOT be issued to students residing within 3 miles of their designated
campus base; unless they meet one of the agreed criteria.
b) Campus Network Facilities Managers will determine, using the above criteria, which
students within their area of responsibility are granted a permit.
Page 15 of 17
APPENDIX C
Travel Plan Context and the 2017 University Travel Plan
BOX 1: Definition and scope of a Travel Plan
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) ‘Good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans
Through the Planning Process’ (2009) states that a Travel Plan is “a long-term
management strategy for an occupier or site that seeks to deliver sustainable transport
objectives through positive action, and is articulated in a document that is regularly
reviewed”.
A Travel Plan is therefore a living document that sets out ways in which an organisation can
reduce the number of vehicle trips to their site by promoting more sustainable travel
options. A Travel Plan is site-specific and considers the unique needs and interests of
employees, students, visitors and deliveries in the context of the local environment and
transport network.
A Travel Plan involves the development of agreed targets and outcomes which are linked
to an appropriate package of measures aimed at: reducing the need to travel,
encouraging more sustainable travel, and reducing single occupancy car use, for all trips
to and from the University.
It also provides for continuous monitoring, review, and refinement over time, as travel
survey data is collected to determine trends in travel patterns and whether action is
required to achieve more sustainable modes of travel to/from the site. The Travel Plan
should therefore be frequently updated by the University.
BOX 2: National Planning Policy
National policy has moved towards securing more sustainable outcomes with emphasis on
minimising the need to travel, reducing car use and encouraging more sustainable modes
of transport. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was adopted in March 2012.
It is important to note that while the campuses are spread across four different locations in
Kent the workforce and student population are spread over a much wider and fairly rural
catchment. As such, the NPPF in paragraph 29
“…recognises that different policies and measures will be required in different communities
and opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary from urban to rural
areas.”
Page 16 of 17
BOX 3: Local Planning Policy
The Local Transport Plan for Kent, published in April 2011, covers the period 2011-2016 and
sets out Kent County Council’s overall transport strategy. The document acknowledges
the need to maintain good accessibility by car balanced against the requirement to meet
the growing demand for travel, by the promotion of attractive and safe sustainable
alternatives through travel choice.
The promotion of businesses and school Travel Plans is identified, aimed at reducing the
number of single occupancy car journeys to tackle congestion and in delivering the wider
benefits associated with the provision of smarter choices. It identifies, encouraging
sustainable transport as being an important means of meeting the increased future
demand for travel.
The Canterbury District Strategy (2014 – 2031) aims to “improve access to services, goods
and opportunities, and tackle the negative impacts of traffic, by promoting sustainable
modes of transport, achieving reliable vehicle journey times and supporting sustainable
development”. This will be achieved by:
Encouraging sustainable travel as an alternative to a private car;
Managing the availability of car parking to balance the impact of car use with
the need to provide access to services and opportunities;
Managing the network to achieve reliable journey times;
Reducing the number and length of journeys undertaken;
Supporting independence and reducing social exclusion;
Stabilising, and where possible reducing, the adverse effects of transport on air
quality and local communities; and
Reducing the number of people killed and injured on the roads.
BOX 4: Travel Planning Best Practice
Further to the policy documents listed above, a number of key guidance documents and
best practice examples have been reflected in preparation of this Travel Plan. These
include (but were not limited to) the following:
‘Good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning
Process’(DfT and DCLG, 2009);
‘The Essential Guide to Travel Planning’ (DfT, 2007);
‘Making Personal Travel Planning Work: Research Report’ (DfT, 2007);
‘The Travel Plan Resources Pack for Employers’ (DfT, 2006); and
‘Smarter choices – Changing the Way We Travel’ (DfT, 2004).
Additional benchmarking against other Universities’ Travel Plans has been undertaken
throughout the production of this document. The University have also referenced how
other Universities have implemented parking restrictions and policies to aide development
of their own parking policy.
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The University adopted its first Travel Plan in 2009 and implemented a series of measures to
promote sustainable travel through the implementation of an action plan, which included
the introduction of parking charges for permits.
To support the Estate Master Plan the Travel and Sustainability Working Group (TSBWG),
part of the Sustainability Strategic Management Group, has worked with specialist
consultants Urban flow to update the Travel Plan. This work included consultations with
groups including staff, students, car users, cyclists, public transport users and walkers. A
comprehensive student and staff travel survey was conducted in 2015 to measure change
from 2009 and to establish new baselines. The agreement was provided by the Sustainable
Travel T&F group that the TSBWG agree the Canterbury Travel Plan before it was submitted
alongside the Prison Quarter planning application (Ref CA/16/02801). The Canterbury Travel
Plan and the supporting Transport Assessment for the North Holmes Campus are available
here:
http://planningdocs.canterbury.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/00933406.pdf
http://planningdocs.canterbury.gov.uk/AnitePublicDocs/00933404.pdf
Travel Plans have also been prepared for Broadstairs, Medway and Tunbridge Wells which
are available in draft subject to consultation.
Recommended