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Newcastle University Travel Plan Update

June 2009

Plan Design Enable

5079910/Newcastle Uni TP Update - Final.doc

Newcastle University

Travel Plan Update

July 2009 Notice This report was produced by Atkins Limited for Newcastle University for the specific purpose of updating the University Travel Plan. This report may not be used by any person other than Newcastle University without Newcastle University’s express permission. In any event, Atkins accepts no liability for any costs, liabilities or losses arising as a result of the use of or reliance upon the contents of this report by any person other than Newcastle University.

Document History

JOB NUMBER: 5079910 DOCUMENT REF: Newcastle Uni TP Update - Final.doc

1 Draft v1 RB LE 31/03/09




5 Final Report RB LE 02/07/09

Revision Purpose Description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date


5079910/Newcastle Uni TP Update - Final.doc 2

Contents Section Page Executive Summary 5

1. Introduction 7 Newcastle University 7 Campus Development Programme 10 Why a Travel Plan Update 12

2. Site Audit 15 Access to Main Campus 15 Facilities on Main Campus 28

3. Employee Travel Patterns 37 Car Drivers 49 Public Transport Users 57 Pedestrians and Cyclists 60

4. Student Travel Patterns 63 Car Drivers 72 Public Transport Users 74 Pedestrians and Cyclists 75

5. Travel Plan Objectives and Targets 77 Travel Plan Objectives 77 Travel Plan Targets 78

6. Travel Plan Measures 81 Summary of Travel Plan implementation up to 2008 81 2008 – 2011 Revised Travel Plan Action Plan 85

7. For More Information 103 List of Tables

Table 2.1 – Distance from Main Campus to Local Centres 16 Table 2.2 – Weekly, Monthly and Annual Rail Costs 19 Table 2.3 – Tyne and Wear Metro Season Ticket Costs 21 Table 2.4 – Main Campus Bus Services 22 Table 2.5 – Bus Operator Ticket Options 23 Table 2.6 – Network Travelticket Costs 24 Table 2.7 – University Car Parking Provision 2006 & 2009 28 Table 2.8 – 2006 and 2008 Main Campus Cycle Parking Provision 33 Table 3.1 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Modal Split 38 Table 3.2 – Staff Reason for Recent Change in Mode – Percentage of Responses 40 Table 3.3 – Staff Origins: Main Postcode Areas 41 Table 3.4 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Distance Travelled to Work 43 Table 3.5 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Duration of Journey to Work 44 Table 3.6 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Number of Working Days 45 Table 3.7 – 2008 Staff Working Hours Start & Finish Times 46 Table 3.8 – 2006 Staff Working Hours Start & Finish Times 46 Table 3.9 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Age Groups 47



Table 3.10 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Disabled Respondents by Usual Mode of Travel 48 Table 3.11 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Origins: Main Postcode Areas 49 Table 3.12 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Commuting Distance 51 Table 3.13 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Journey Duration 52 Table 3.14 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Parking Locations 53 Table 3.15 – 2008 Car Drivers Occasional Mode of Travel 54 Table 3.16 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Public Transport Origins Main Postcode Areas 57 Table 3.17 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Commuting Distance 57 Table 3.18 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Journey Duration 58 Table 3.19 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Origins Main Postcode Areas 60 Table 3.20 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Users Commuting Distance 60 Table 3.21 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Users Journey Duration 61 Table 4.1 – 2006 & 2008 Student Modal Split 64 Table 4.2 – 2006 & 2008 Student Term Time Postcodes 65 Table 4.3 – 2006 Student Term Time Accommodation & Car Drivers 65 Table 4.4 – 2008 Student Term Time Accommodation & Car Drivers 65 Table 4.5 – 2008 Student Term Time Accommodation – Halls of Residence and Flats 67 Table 4.6 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Distance Travelled 67 Table 4.7 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Journey Duration 68 Table 4.8 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Time on Campus 69 Table 4.9 – 2006 & 2008 Student Start Times 70 Table 4.10 – 2006 & 2008 Student Finish Times 70 Table 4.11 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Study Regime 70 Table 4.12 – 2006 & 2008 Student Faculties 71 Table 4.13 – 2006 & 2008 Student Age Groups 71 Table 4.14 – 2008 Students’ Occasional Mode of Transport 72 Table 4.15 – 2008 Student Car Drivers Commuting Distance 72 Table 4.16 – 2006 & 2008 Student Car Drivers Parking Location 73 Table 4.17 – 2008 Student Car Drivers & All Respondents Parking Location 73 Table 4.18 – 2006 & 2008 Student PT Users Postcode Areas 74 Table 4.19 – 2008 Student PT Users & All Respondents Distance Travelled 75 Table 4.20 – 2006 & 2008 Student Pedestrian & Cycle User Postcode Areas 75 Table 4.21 – 2008 Student PT Users & All Respondents Distance Travelled 75 Table 4.22 – 2008 Student Cycle Parking Locations 76 Table 5.1 – 2006 Staff Model Split Targets and Performance 78 Table 5.2 – 2006 Student Model Split Targets and Performance 78 Table 5.3 – Revised Staff Model Split Targets 79 Table 5.4 – Revised Student Model Split Targets 80 Table 6.1 – Travel Plan Action Plan Table Performance Summary 82 Table 6.2 – Revised Cycle Parking Numbers 86 Table 6.3 – Revised Motorcycle Parking Numbers 88 Table 6.4 – Campus Wide Car Parking Spaces 91 Table 6.5 – Car Share Parking Spaces 92 Table 6.6 – Number of Staff in the University Corporate Travel Scheme 93 Table 6.7 – University Public Transport Discounts 2008/09 93

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 – Newcastle University City Centre Location Map 9 Figure 2.1 – Main University Entrances 16 Figure 2.2 – Carlisle to Newcastle Route 17 Figure 2.3 – Middlesbrough to Newcastle Route 19



Figure 2.4 – Tyne and Wear Metro Map 20 Figure 2.5 – Tyne and Wear Metro Zone Map 21 Figure 2.6 – Newcastle University Main Campus – Public Transport and Cycle Routes 25 Figure 2.7 – Newcastle University City Centre – Walking Map 27 Figure 2.8 – Car Park and Pay & Display Locations on Campus 30 Figure 2.9 – Main Campus Pedestrian and Wheelchair Access 35 Figure 3.1 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Modal Split – Percentage of Respondents 39 Figure 3.2 – 2008 Staff Modal Shift – Percentage of Respondents 40 Figure 3.3 – 2008 Staff Origins Density Map 42 Figure 3.4 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Distance Travelled to Work – Percentage of Respondents 43 Figure 3.5 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Duration of Journey to Work – Percentage of Respondents 44 Figure 3.6 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Number of Working Days – Percentage of Respondents 45 Figure 3.7 – 2008 Staff by Grade 47 Figure 3.8 – 2008 Staff Origins by Mode of Transport 50 Figure 3.9 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Commuting Distance – Percentage of Respondents 51 Figure 3.10 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents 52 Figure 3.11 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Parking Locations – Percentage of Respondents 53 Figure 3.12 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Reason for Travel by Car – Percentage of Respondents 54 Figure 3.13 – 2004, 2006 and 2008 Staff Car Drivers Car Sharing Incentives – Percentage of Respondents55 Figure 3.14 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Potential to use PT – Percentage of Respondents 56 Figure 3.15 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Potential to Cycle – Percentage of Respondents 56 Figure 3.16 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Commuting Distance – Percentage of Respondents 58 Figure 3.17 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents 59 Figure 4.1 – 2006 & 2008 Student Modal Split – Percentage of Respondents 64 Figure 4.2 – 2008 Student Term Time Residence and Mode of Transport to the University 66 Figure 4.3 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Distance Travelled – Percentage of Respondents 68 Figure 4.4 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents 69 Figure 4.5 – 2008 Student Car Drivers and All Students – Percentage of Respondents 73 Figure 4.6 – 2008 Student Car Drivers and All Students – Percentage of Respondents 74 Figure 6.1 – University Masterplan Pedestrian Routes 89

Appendices Appendix A - Contractor Parking Policy 105

Appendix B - Staff Travel to Work Survey 115

Appendix C - Student Travel Survey 123

Appendix D – Environment and Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference 131

Appendix E - Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle General Hospital Travel Plan Framework 137



Executive Summary In 2008/09, Newcastle University welcomes almost 19,000 students and currently employs approximately 4,900 staff. To support its future growth the University is in the process of implementing a comprehensive refurbishment and development programme on its city centre campus. A Masterplan was developed in 2002 to support the main campus’ expansion and to develop a modern, more environmentally friendly campus.

As it continues to expand, the University is conscious of its impact on the city of Newcastle, its economy, its residents and visitors and its environment. The reduction of its operations’ impact on the environment is one of the University’s major objectives for the coming years. This Travel Plan Update will support this objective by helping the University to reduce the impact of its staff and students commute and business travel on the environment as well as promoting healthier, more active lifestyles for staff and students. The Travel Plan Update will also contribute to Newcastle City Council’s objectives to reduce traffic in the town and tackle congestion and air pollution.

This Travel Plan Update includes the following information:

• a comprehensive site audit update for the main campus, reviewing transport facilities to and around the site as well as facilities on site;

• an in depth analysis of staff and students travel patterns, comparing result from the 2008 and 2006 staff and student travel to work surveys;

• updated Travel Plan objectives and targets, derived from this analysis, with the Travel Plan aiming to reduce the proportion of staff driving or being driven to the main campus to 29% by 2011;

• a package of already established and updated Travel Plan initiatives to meet the objectives and targets including:

- a revised car parking strategy – this includes a reduction in parking allocation, replacement of the old parking permit system with a pay and display policy and the continued support of a car share scheme;

- new motorcycle / cycle parking facilities;

- new showers and changing facilities;

- discounted public transport tickets and cycling equipment as well as sustainable travel information and promotion material and events;

• a designated Travel Plan Coordinator, a steering group, financial resources; and

• a monitoring and review programme to ensure that the Plan is implemented in the most efficient manner and that initiatives are regularly updated to meet staff and students’ needs.

The Travel Plan Update and the revised Action Plan will be adopted by the Environment & Sustainability Committee and will oversee the implementation through the Travel Plan Coordinator. The parking policy included in the Plan has been adopted by the University’s Executive Board. The University looks forward to implementing this Travel Plan Update in partnership with Newcastle City Council, working together to develop the city’s economy while protecting the environment, encouraging the use of more sustainable modes of transport, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Professor Tony Stevenson

PVC (Planning & Resources)





1. Introduction Newcastle University

1.1 Newcastle University offers undergraduate and graduate courses to 18,878 students and its annual income at the year ending July 2008 was £342.3 million.

1.2 In 2007/2008, 17,509 full-time and 1,369 part time students1 attended lectures or were undertaking research within one of the University’s three faculties:

• Humanities and Social Sciences;

• Medical Sciences; and

• Science, Agriculture and Engineering.

1.3 Each faculty is divided into separate schools. There are 23 schools based on campus and interdisciplinary research is conducted in 16 research institutes.

1.4 To provide its services, the University employs 4,899 staff working in varied areas such as academic, administrative, computing, library, clerical, technical or ancillary. The majority of staff and students are based on the city centre campus located just west of the Civic Centre.

1.5 Staff are also based at various locations around the city which include:

• the Royal Victoria Hospital;

• the Newcastle General Hospital;

• the Freeman Hospital;

• the International Centre for Life;

• some students residence sites; and

• some sites outside Newcastle.

1.6 The University provides the following Undergraduate accommodation:

• Castle Leazes Halls;

• Henderson Hall;

• Richardson Road;

• Bowsden Court;

• Leazes Parade;

• Marris House;

• St Mary’s College;

• Windsor Terrace; and

• Grand Hotel

1.7 The University provides the following Postgraduate accommodation:

• Easton Flats;

• Claremont Place;

• Jesmond Road;

1 Figures extracted from the University Press Office website http://www.ncl.ac.uk/press.office/figures.htm



• North Terrace; and

• Leazes Terrace;

1.8 The University is also involved in a partnership scheme with a private housing provider (UNITE) and accommodation under the scheme is available at the following locations:

• Magnet Court; and

• Victoria Hall

1.9 Figure 1.1 overleaf shows the location of the University campus in relation to Newcastle City Centre.



Figure 1.1 – Newcastle University City Centre Location Map2

2 Source – University Campus Maps: Extracted from the Newcastle University Website



Campus Development Programme 1.10 The origins of Newcastle University can be traced back to 1834. The University has since

expanded around the oldest parts of the campus (Armstrong College buildings).

1.11 The University currently occupies a 50 acre site opposite the Civic Centre, close to the commercial and cultural heart of the city. Many of the university buildings date from the 19th Century, with additional buildings developed in the 60s and 70s. However, the University needs to expand and many of the buildings are being refurbished or replaced to meet the needs of a modern, international University.

1.12 To cater for this growth and new needs, the University is implementing an ambitious redevelopment programme across the campus Details of the most up to date developments on the campus are contained within the document ‘Creating a Campus for the Future’ and can also be found on the university website http://www.ncl.ac.uk/about/today/campus.

1.13 A large part of the re-development programme has already been completed with several new or refurbished buildings made available to staff and students in the last few years including:

• The multiple award winning Devonshire Building;

• The Paul O’Gorman Building;

• The University Sports Centre;

• The completion of work to open out the campus, including improved disabled access and landscaping of the Claremont and Percy Quadrangles;

• The Research Beehive; and

1.14 Development of The Campus for Ageing and Vitality at the Newcastle General Hospital site including the Edwardson Buildingand the Clinical Ageing Research Unit. The University’s redevelopment programme for the main campus is described in the University Masterplan developed by Sir Terry Farrell.

1.15 The campus Masterplan introduces an agreed framework for planning the development of the campus estate over 20 years. It celebrates the University’s relationship with the city and seeks to strengthen that relationship through the development of the University’s physical identity. The Masterplan includes the following:

• Development of a University‘front door’ on the Barras Bridge site;

• Strengthening of links between the universities dispersed museums, creating a new cultural quarter;

• Development of a strong axis running through the city from Barras Bridge to the regenerated Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides;

• Creation of new quadrangles to enhance the setting of the university buildings and facilities; and

• Strengthening of pedestrian routes through the campus.

1.16 In addition to the above, various building projects are being undertaken currently and are outlined in creating a Campus for the Future Document. This includes the following:

• Student and Administrative Services Building – expected opening Jan 2010;



• Great Northern Museum Project – expected opening early 2009;

• International Centre for Music Studies – expected opening early 2009;

• INTO Newcastle University – construction April 2008 to April 2010;

New Medical Sciences Building – construction Mar 2008 to Nov 2009; andCastle Leazes Accommodation Block – construction June 2008 to Sep 2009.

In addition to the above, the university is continuing to work in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, the Regional Development Agency, One North East, INTO, The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the International Centre for Life, Newcastle Science City and Tyne & Wear Museums. Developments away from the Main Campus

1.17 In addition to the development work being undertaken on the main university campus, the university is also involved in a number of major building projects outside the main campus.

1.18 On the site of the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery, Newcastle University Business School will be the first tenant for the £200 million Downing Plaza Development.

1.19 At the Newcastle General Hospital Site, work has started on the £24.6 million Campus for Ageing and Vitality. This will provide Newcastle with a world class research centre dedicated to the study of ageing, stay healthy, stay active and how age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia can be combated.

1.20 More information on the development of this site and the current transport facilities can be found as a stand alone section of this report in Appendix E.



Why a Travel Plan Update 1.21 A Travel Plan is a transport strategy developed for a specific site and aims to reduce the

number of motorised vehicles driving to and from a site. It uses a comprehensive analysis of the site’s characteristics, facilities and accessibility, and it’s users travel patterns (in Newcastle’s Travel Plan through staff and student travel surveys) to introduce a sustainable transport strategy including site specific objectives and targets, as well as measures to reduce car use and encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport.

1.22 As previously discussed, Newcastle University is investing over £200 million in its estate and buildings. Initially, between 2002 and 2004, the University applied for planning permission to upgrade / redevelop the following buildings:

• Paul O’Gorman;

• Devonshire;

• Claremont Sports Hall; and

• Edwardson

1.23 The University also planned to submit an application for the new Student and Administrative Services Building on the site of the Barras car park. The planning application for this building was submitted in April 2007.

1.24 Council Officers stated that a comprehensive transport strategy for the University was required for planning permissions to be granted. The requirement was for the Transport Plan to contain a transport strategy in line with the objectives and targets set in the Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, which states the following:

• “ Each of the (Tyne and Wear LTP) partners have developed a local approach top measures that may contribute to demand management including: travel planning, promotion of soft modes i.e. walking and cycling, parking standards for new developments” (Source Tyne & Wear LTP 2006-11, page 109);

• “A travel plan is deemed to meet the basic quality standards if it is a written document containing:

- An assessment of the site, including the transport links to the site, on site facilities (e.g. car parking, cycle parking etc), any transport issues and problems, barriers to non-car use and possible improvements to encourage walking, cycling and bus use;

- The results from a survey of how staff travel to work;

- Clearly defined objectives, targets and indicators;

- Details of proposed measures;

- Detailed timetable for implementing measures;

- Clearly defined senior management and staff responsibilities and roles;

- Staff (and if applicable) union participation;

- A plan for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the travel plan; and

- Proposals for maintaining momentum and publicising success.” (Source Tyne & Wear LTP 2006-11, page 110).



1.25 In addition to the above, the revised 2006 Newcastle University Travel Plan document promised continued monitoring and review including:

• Gathering and analysis of mode split data (using staff and student surveys undertaken in 2006, 2008 and 2010);

• Monitoring of the initiatives take up; and

• Production of an updated Travel Plan document in conjunction with the surveys.

1.26 This 2008 Travel Plan Update incorporates the council’s original requirements and continues to follow the objectives and targets set out in the Tyne and Wear LTP 2. Additionally, it incorporates feedback from the Council, obtained in January 2009, on what they would like to see in the updated Travel Plan.

Newcastle University Travel Plan process 1.27 The University identified the need to develop a transport strategy several years ago. A first

draft Travel Plan was developed in 2004 and was approved by the University’s Executive Board. This first document included information on staff travel patterns, objectives and targets and initiatives such as car sharing, discounted public transport passes and improved cycling facilities on site. The document was submitted to Newcastle City Council to discharge existing planning conditions, but Newcastle City Council Officers rejected the document and asked for a more comprehensive Travel Plan to be submitted.

1.28 In 2006, Atkins were commissioned by Newcastle University to produce a revised University Travel Plan, which drew upon the first draft travel plan, incorporating discussions with the Transportation Strategy Group, initiatives already implemented by the University as well as new analysis and initiatives to offer a comprehensive sustainable transport strategy for the University. This travel plan was submitted to Newcastle City Council in December 2006.

1.29 The 2008 Travel Plan Update draws upon the 2006 Travel Plan targets and measures, which were formulated using the results from the 2006 staff and student surveys. The results from the 2008 staff and student surveys have been used to update the Travel Plan targets and measures.

Travel Plan structure 1.30 The remainder of this Travel Plan Update is structured as follows:

• Section 2: Site Audit;

• Section 3: Current travel patterns. Comparison of the 2008 and 2006 staff survey3;

• Section 4: Current travel patterns. Comparison of the 2008 and 2006 student survey;

• Section 5: Travel Plan objectives and targets

• Section 6: Travel Plan measures

• Section 7: For more information

3 A comparison, where possible, has been made between the 2008, 2006 and for some questions the 2004 staff travel survey results. A comparison of the student survey has only been made for 2008 and 2006 surveys.





2. Site Audit 2.1 This section provides an updated evaluation of access to the main Newcastle University

campus and its existing buildings. It describes transport related facilities on the main campus and evaluates staff and student needs.

2.2 An updated evaluation of the transport related facilities of the Campus for Ageing and Vitality is provided in Appendix E.

Access to Main Campus General Access

2.3 Newcastle University campus is located to the north-west of Newcastle city centre, south of the A167. It is within easy reach of local bus routes and is opposite Haymarket Metro Station. The university is less than a mile from Newcastle Central Train Station and Newcastle International Airport is located 7 miles from the main university site.

2.4 The central campus is located between the Civic Centre and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI). The campus extends further towards the west, along Claremont Road and at the back of the RVI, with the University Sports Centre, the Paul O’Gorman Building, the Medical School (pictured), the School of Dentistry and the Ridley Building.

2.5 The Robinson Library and the Schools of Law and Politics are located to the east of the central campus, on the other side of the Great North Road and directly to the north of the Civic Centre.

Access by Car and Motorcycle 2.6 The main vehicular access to the main campus for visitors is currently located off

Claremont Road, between the junction with Barras Bridge and Claremont Bridge. The main vehicular access for staff is the St Thomas Street entrance. Figure 2.1 overleaf shows the location of the main university entrances.

2.7 From the North and West the most direct access from the Western Bypass (A1) is through Ponteland Road, Stamfordham Road or Denton Burn roundabout, joining the A167 towards the city centre and then entering Claremont Road.

2.8 From the South, the A167 can also be used branching out from the A1 at Angel of the North, using the Tyne Bridge and accessing the University through the city centre (Durant Road, St Mary’s Place and Barras Bridge) or through St James Boulevard and Queen Victoria Road.



2.9 From the North-East, the A189 joins the Great North Road (B1318) north of Jesmond and the A1058 joins the Central Motorway (A167) south of Jesmond. Access to central campus is then possible through Barras Bridge and Claremont Road. This is shown in Figure 2.1 below. Table 2.1 below shows distances between the University’s main campus and main local towns.

Table 2.1 – Distance from Main Campus to Local Centres

Local Centre Distance to Main Campus

Local Centre Distance to Main Campus

Blaydon 7.5 miles Lemington 5.5 milesBrunswick Village 7.5 miles Morpeth 16 milesChester-le-Street 11.5 miles North Shields 8 miles

Consett 15 miles Ponteland 7.5 milesCramlington 11.5 miles Ryton 8 milesGateshead 2 miles Wallsend 4.5 miles

Hexham 22 miles Whitley Bay 10 miles

Figure 2.1 – Main University Entrances4

4 Source – University Campus Maps: Extracted from the Newcastle University Website at the address below http://www.ncl.ac.uk/travel/maps/navigator.php?x=7&y=2&w=4&h=4



Access by Public Transport Train

2.10 Newcastle Central train station is situated on Neville Street, approximately 1 mile from the main campus (15 to 20 minutes walk). The Metro network also links the train station to the campus. The journey from Newcastle Central train station to Haymarket by Metro takes approximately 15 minutes.

2.11 The city of Newcastle is located on the East Coast Main Line linking England and Scotland. Journeys from London take approximately 3 hours. Four main rail routes serve Newcastle from the west, the north and the south as described below.5

Sunderland and Newcastle to Carlisle Service

2.12 Northern Rail runs the Carlisle to Newcastle route. The services also link Newcastle to Sunderland. The figure below gives more information about those services.

Figure 2.2 – Carlisle to Newcastle Route6

2.13 It takes approximately 43 and 46 minutes to travel from Hexham to Newcastle Central (22 miles by road). There are 3 trains arriving in Newcastle between 8am and 9am on weekdays and 3 trains departing from Newcastle between 5pm and 6pm. The train journey from Blaydon takes between 17 and 23 minutes, with 2 trains arriving in Newcastle between 8am and 9am but just 1 train departing between 5pm and 6pm. The journey from Sunderland takes 20 to 25 minutes by train.

5 All timetables are valid from 14th December 2008 6 Route graphic sourced from Northern Rail Website



Berwick-upon-Tweed – Newcastle service

2.14 National Express East Coast and Cross Country Trains operate between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle. There is one train from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle between 8am and 9pm weekdays, with the journey time taking 48 minutes. Between 5pm and 6pm, there is one train from Newcastle to Berwick-upon-Tweed taking 47 minutes. Select Services on this route also call at Alnmouth and Morpeth.

2.15 Northern Rail also run train services on the same line, with services operating from Chathill. There are 2 trains departing from Morpeth and Newcastle 8am to 9pm, taking 17 to 25 minutes (or 16 miles by road). 5pm to 6pm, there are trains departing from Newcastle to Morpeth taking 21 minutes. There are 2 trains from Morpeth arriving at Newcastle Central between 8am and 9am on weekdays and there are also 2 trains leaving Newcastle for Morpeth between 5 and 6pm on weekdays.

York – Newcastle service

2.16 National Express East Coast, Cross Country Trains and First Transpennine Express all run services between York and Newcastle. Select National Express East Coast services call at Darlington and Durham, select Cross Country trains call at Darlington, Durham and Chester-le-Street and select Transpennine Express services call at Thirsk, Northallerton, Durham and Chester-le-Street.

2.17 The journey between Chester-le-Street and Newcastle’s Central Station takes between 13 and 17 minutes, with 3 trains arriving in Newcastle between 8am and 9am on weekdays and just a single service leaving Newcastle between 5pm and 6pm. There are 3 trains from Durham arriving in Newcastle between 8am and 9am on weekdays, taking between 13 and 23 minutes and 3 trains leaving Newcastle between 5pm and 6pm, taking between 12 and 15 minutes.

Middlesbrough – Newcastle service

2.18 Northern Rail also run routes from Middlesbrough to Newcastle and Newcastle Central to the Metro Centre, which takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. It takes approximately 20 minutes to travel from Sunderland and 10 minutes from Heworth.



Figure 2.3 – Middlesbrough to Newcastle Route

Fares and Season Tickets

2.19 As shown above, there are a variety of train routes and services in and out of Newcastle. Table 2.2 below shows some examples of monthly rail costs.

Table 2.2 – Weekly, Monthly and Annual Rail Costs7

Train Journey Weekly Monthly Annual

Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle £82.50 £316.80 £3,300

Sunderland to Newcastle £13.00 N/A N/A

Morpeth to Newcastle £22.50 £88.00 £916.00

Blaydon to Newcastle £11.00 £42.30 £414.00

Chester-le-Street to Newcastle £17.50 £67.20 £700.00

Durham to Newcastle £24.60 £94.50 £984.00

7 Costs collated March 2009. Source National Rail Enquiries



2.20 Students under 25 or over 26 in full-time education can buy a young person railcard for £24 for the year which entitles them to 1/3 discount on most rail fares (minimum fares applies to travel before 10am on weekdays).

Metro

2.21 The Tyne and Wear Metro serves the University’s main campus via the Haymarket station, located 2 minutes from the university close to Percy Street. The Haymarket metro station is presently being re-developed at a cost of £20 million and will be known as the Haymarket Hub once re-developed, will include improvements to the platforms, station entrance and new retail outlets.

2.22 Metro services run all day from just after 5am, with the last trains just after 12 midnight. During the AM and PM peak periods, Haymarket station is served by a train every 3 minutes, with the frequency dropping to a train every 6 minutes during the daytime / Saturdays and every 8 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays. The journey from Haymarket to Newcastle Central train station takes just 3 to 4 minutes.

2.23 Figure 2.4 below shows the Tyne and Wear Metro network in more detail.

Figure 2.4 – Tyne and Wear Metro Map

2.24 The cost of using the Tyne and Wear Metro varies depending on which Zone(s) you are travelling between (see Figure 2.5 for Tyne and Wear Metro Zone Plan). Table 2.3 shows the cost of various Metro season tickets.



Table 2.3 – Tyne and Wear Metro Season Ticket Costs8

Zone Number 1 Week 4 Weeks Annual

1 Zone £8.50 £30.50 N/A

2 Zones £12.50 £44.00 N/A

3 Zones £17.00 £58.00 £450.00

Inner Newcastle N/A £29.50 £262.50

Student Card (covers all Zones) N/A £44.00 £367.50

Figure 2.5 – Tyne and Wear Metro Zone Map

2.25 Park and Ride schemes also operate from a number of Tyne and Wear Metro stations. The

cost of parking at most sites is £1.00 per day, apart from Heworth which costs £1.60 per day. The park and ride sites include the following:

• Callerton Parkway (north west of Newcastle off A696);

• Four Lane Ends (north Newcastle, on the junction of the A191 and A188);

• Heworth (south east Newcastle, on the junction of the A184 and A185);

• Kingston Park (north west of Newcastle, between A696 and A1); and

• Regent Centre (north Newcastle, between A1 and B1318)

8 Costs collated March 2009. Data source Nexus website. http://www.nexus.org.uk/wps/wcm/connect/Nexus/Metro/Fares+and+tickets



Bus

2.26 The University’s main campus is located only a few minutes walk from Newcastle bus station. Located at the junction between Percy Street, Haymarket and St Thomas Street, at the rear of Eldon Square Shopping Centre, the bus station is the destination of many local and regional bus routes.

2.27 Figure 2.6 overleaf shows the location of the key public transport infrastructure, including Newcastle Bus Station, Haymarket Metro Station and the surrounding bus stops. Additionally, it also shows cycle routes which surround the university.

Bus services to Main Campus

2.28 Table 2.4 below summarises information about bus services stopping around or on the main campus. This includes buses stopping on St Thomas Street to the south, Barras Bridge to the east (next to King’s Walk – see photo) and Claremont Road (on campus).

Table 2.4 – Main Campus Bus Services

Bus Number Operator Route Summary Weekday Frequency

Stopping on St Thomas Street – (Main Campus South)

3 Stagecoach Newcastle, Gosforth, Walker Hourly

13 Stagecoach Newcastle, West Denton, Metro Centre

Hourly

15/15A Stagecoach Newcastle, Gosforth, Freeman Hospital

Half-hourly

32/32A Stagecoach Kenton Bar, Cowgate, Newcastle, Fawdon

Half-hourly

50 Stanley Taxis Newcastle, Throckley Hourly

Stopping on Claremont Road – (Main Campus North)

9X Arriva Newcastle, Kenton Shops Half-hourly

X87/X88 Stagecoach Newcastle, Newbiggin Hall Estate, Newcastle

Every 10 min during the day

Stopping on Barras Bridge – (Main Campus East)

10 Stagecoach

North Kenton, Newcastle, Dumpling Hall/West Denton Park

Every 15 to 20 min during the day

11 Stagecoach North Kenton, Newcastle, West Denton Shops


30/31 Stagecoach Whickham View, Newcastle, Fawdon




Bus Number Operator Route Summary Weekday Frequency

Park Road 32/32A See above

42/42A/42B Arriva Newcastle, Cramlington Half-hourly

43/43A/43B Arriva Newcastle, Cramlington, East Hartford

Half-hourly

45/45A/45B Arriva

Newcastle, Brunswick Village, Dinnington Late and Sunday services through Hazelrigg

Every 15 to 30 min during the day

355 Arriva Newcastle, Forest Hall, Whitley Bay Half-hourly

356 Arriva Newcastle, North Shields Half-hourly

414 Northumbria Coaches

Newcastle, Morpeth, Pegswood Hourly

618 Northumbria Coaches

Newcastle, Morpeth, Amble Hourly

M46 Arriva Newcastle, Brunton Park, Newcastle


M55 Arriva Newcastle, Meadway Estate, Newcastle


Fares and season tickets

2.29 Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East all offer a wide variety of weekly and monthly bus tickets. The annual price in the table is 4 week ticket multiplied by 13, as there were no annual tickets priced on the respective websites. Table 2.5 below gives some examples.

Table 2.5 – Bus Operator Ticket Options

Bus Operator 1 Week 4 Weeks Annual

Stagecoach £11.00 £44.00 £572.00

Arriva9 £15.00 £60.00 £780.00

Go North East £12.00 £48.00 £624.00

2.30 Network Travel tickets are also available to buy for a week, for four weeks or as annual

passes. They are valid on the Metro network, the Shields ferry, Newcastle bus services and Northern Rail train services between Newcastle and Sunderland. The table below shows examples of Network Travel tickets costs.

9 Based on coverage of the Tyne and Wear Zone



Table 2.6 – Network Travelticket Costs

Zones 1 Week 4 Weeks Annual

2 in a row £14.50 £50.10 £551.00

3 Zones £16.60 £58.40 £625.00

All Zones £19.50 £71.20 £753.00

Tickets for Students

2.31 Stagecoach North East Uni Rider tickets for full-time students enable unlimited travel on any Stagecoach bus throughout Tyne and Wear, Hartlepool and Teesside. Tickets are available for £89 a term or £209 for an annual ticket. Tickets are available online, by Freepost or from travel centres and high street agents.

2.32 Go North East get Around tickets can also be purchased. These tickets are valid on Go North East Buses only and cost £12 for 7 days, £48 for 28 days and £170 for 16 weeks.

2.33 The Arriva Student ticket can be purchased if you are aged 16 or over and in full time education. The annual ticket costs £499 and the term ticket costs £189.

Special Services

2.34 The Students Union operates a minibus service to take members home from the Robinson Library, Medical School and Union building. Driven by students, it runs from door to door covering all areas of the city.

2.35 At only 50p per journey it is the cheapest and safest way home. The service gives priority to women and single passengers when very busy. The service runs from Monday to Friday from 7pm until the Union shuts, and takes you directly to your door.

2.36 Timetables are available from the Union reception, library reception and the Medical school, and each of these places is a pick up point. The service e also picks up from Henderson Hall of residence and St Mary's Flats.

2.37 The Safety Bus timetable changes throughout the year to reflect demand, which means more buses run from the library during examinations.



Figure 2.6 – Newcastle University Main Campus – Public Transport and Cycle Routes



Cycling and Walking Cycling

2.38 There are a number of cycle lanes and paths in and around the university (see Figure 2.6 above). Most bridges across the Tyne offer a cycle path or lane, which includes the Scotswood Bridge, High Level Bridge, Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Bridge (pictured). The Millennium Bridge can only be used by pedestrians and cyclists.

2.39 Newcastle is on Route 72 of the National Cycle Network and is part of the North Sea Cycle Route. The city has an extensive on- and off-road cycle route network. There are routes along the Tyne, from South and North Shields, from Gateshead, Gosforth, Jesmond and Fenham areas.

2.40 Town Moor (north of campus) has also been upgraded to a wider (5 metres) and safer (CCTV coverage) off road cycle route and the Jesmond Road-Jesmond Road West – Robinson Library cycle route was opened to users in 2005. Access to the University’s main campus through the city centre is however restricted as cyclists are requested to dismount when travelling through Blackett Street, Northumberland Street and the War Memorial Gardens between the Civic centre and Barras Bridge (see photo).

2.41 In addition, the university has had preliminary meetings with the Newcastle City Council Cycling Officer to examine the potential for cycle routes to be directed through the campus.

Walking

2.42 As the central campus is close to the city centre with its pedestrianised areas, walking links to the campus are generally good. Pavements are generally wide and there are crossing facilities available on Haymarket (towards the bus station), on Barras Bridge (from Memorial Gardens and from the Robinson Library through the pedestrian bridge) and across St Mary’s Place (from Haymarket to Memorial Gardens). Crossing facilities are also available on Claremont Road, Queen Victoria Road, St Thomas Street and Richardson Road. Figure 2.7 overleaf shows a walking map for Newcastle City Centre.

2.43 Crossing facilities on Barras Bridge to King’s Walk are often busy with students and visitors accessing the University through King’s Walk. Pavements on Claremont Road are also quite narrow in some areas (between Barras Bridge junction and Claremont Bridge and further east (next to Claremont Road public car park), which causes difficulties at busy times, particularly for people with pushchairs and disabled users.



Figure 2.7 – Newcastle University City Centre – Walking Map10

10 http://www.ncl.ac.uk/estates/assets/documents/



Facilities on Main Campus 2.44 On the main university campus, the University offers car parking, cycling and walking

facilities for both staff and students.

Car Parking Management General Parking Provision

2.45 In 2006 there were approximately 899 designated car parking spaces on the main campus. 23 spaces were reserved for visitors and 19 spaces reserved for disabled parking. The University employed 4,514 staff in 2006, which meant that the staff / car parking ratio was approximately of 5.111 employees for one parking space on campus.

2.46 At present, the total number of parking spaces available to staff on the main campus site is 559, a reduction of 340 spaces. 25 of these spaces are marked for visitors and 20 spaces are reserved for disabled parking. The university presently employs a total of 4,899 staff, which means that the current staff / car park ratio is approximately 9.2 employees for one parking space on campus.

2.47 The University will continue to rationalise parking arrangements on the main campus in the future to support the implementation of the Masterplan. For the campus to become more pedestrian and cycle friendly, the majority of on street and ad hoc car parking around the campus will continue to be progressively removed.

2.48 A comparison of the car parking provision at the university for 2006 and February 2009 is shown in Table 2.7 below. Figure 2.8 shows the location of parking spaces and Pay & Display machines on the main campus.

Table 2.7 – University Car Parking Provision 2006 & 2009

2006 Parking Numbers 2009 Parking Numbers Car Park

Std Dis Res Tot Std Dis Vis Res Tot

Armstrong Rear Courtyard 3 0 1 4 3 1 0 0 4 Armstrong Front CP 32 0 3 35 18 3 14 0 35 Armstrong Service Road 13 0 0 13 12 0 0 0 12 Barras Bridge 14 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 Bedson Courtyard 19 0 0 19 14 0 0 0 14 Brewery Lane 7 1 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 Building Science Courtyard 8 0 0 8 0 0 0 0 0 Claremont Bridge under 12 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 Claremont Road 19-20 4 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 Claremont Road 20-21 4 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 2 Claremont Sports Centre 1 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 Culture Labs 8 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 Daysh CP 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 3 3 Devonshire CP 15 0 1 16 17 1 0 0 18 Drummond Service Road 14 0 0 14 9 0 0 0 9 Edwards Walk 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 Fine Art Service Road 5 6 0 11 7 0 0 4 11 Framlington 10 – 12 front 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 Framlington 16 – 17 rear 16 0 0 16 0 0 0 8 8

11 Based on a total of 876 parking spaces available for staff to use



2006 Parking Numbers 2009 Parking Numbers Car Park

Std Dis Res Tot Std Dis Vis Res Tot

Herschel Bottom CP 43 0 0 43 20 0 0 0 20 Herschel Middle CP 34 0 0 34 20 0 0 0 20 Herschel Top CP 39 0 0 39 40 0 0 0 40 Jones Marine CP 46 0 0 46 0 0 0 0 0 Joseph Cowen House CP 13 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 0 Kensington / Cassie 2 4 0 6 1 0 0 5 6 Kensington / Park rear 8 18 0 26 9 0 0 18 27 King George Courtyard 0 7 0 7 0 0 0 9 9 King George Main Ent CP 0 14 1 15 0 0 0 0 0 King George Mosque CP 9 1 0 10 10 0 0 0 10 King George Q V Road CP 0 12 0 12 0 0 0 12 12 Kings Road Top to Bottom 44 0 0 44 35 0 0 0 35 Law School rear 4 0 0 4 4 0 0 0 4 Line Building rear 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 Lovers Lane reserved 0 12 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 Main CP (Playhouse) 101 0 0 101 0 0 0 0 0 Med School front 0 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 2 Med School Henry Wellcome 12 0 0 12 0 0 11 0 11 Med School Underground CP 0 22 0 22 0 0 0 22 22 Merz Court rear CP 19 2 0 21 13 0 0 0 13 Park Terrace CP 44 0 1 45 42 1 0 0 43 Paul O’Gorman CP 2 6 1 9 0 1 0 6 7 Politics CP 9 0 0 9 9 0 0 0 9 Refectory CP 55 0 0 55 49 0 0 0 49 Ridley 1 10 1 0 11 0 0 0 10 10 Ridley 2 Front CP 17 0 1 18 17 0 0 0 17 Ridley 2 Side CP 15 0 0 15 21 0 0 0 21 Robinson Library rear 4 2 2 8 2 3 0 3 8 Stephenson Building rear 8 0 0 8 11 0 0 0 11 Stephenson Courtyard 7 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 Visitors Car park 11 3 0 14 0 0 0 0 0 Visitors Kings Road 4 0 5 9 0 0 0 0 0 Windsor Terrace 19 - 20 rear 13 0 0 13 12 0 0 0 12 Windsor Terrace 13 front 4 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 2 Totals 764 116 19 899 413 20 25 101 559



Figure 2.8 – Car Park and Pay & Display Locations on Campus



Car Parking System

2.49 The university has been actively managing its car parks, which has included reducing the total amount of parking provision on the main campus.

2.50 Before April 2008, the university operated an annual permit system, where staff purchased a fixed permit for the year, allowing a limited amount of parking flexibility. In 2005/06, 1,362 parking permits were issued.

2.51 Presently, staff that park on the main university campus are still required to display a valid university parking permit. However, in April 2008, a new ‘Pay and Display’ parking system for standard permit holders was established, allowing more flexible parking options for staff. Staff now pay for parking only when they use it as opposed to the previous system of being tied to an annual permit. The new system allows staff to consider alternative modes of transport as appropriate, but does not exclude use of their car if required. In 2007/08, 964 parking permits were issued to staff, a reduction of 398 on the period 2005/06.

2.52 Any member of staff is entitled to apply for a car parking permit at a cost of £50.00 per year. This authorises access onto the site to seek a space and then pay a relevant daily fee. The daily fees are £3.00 for 8 hours (full day) and £1.50 for 4 hours (half day). There is no charge for parking after 4pm. Payment is made at the nearest pay and display machine (pictured), which are spread across the campus. The photo opposite shows a new pay and display machine and Figure 2.6 shows the location of the machines.

2.53 Staff do have the option of paying for a reserved space on demonstration of business need. Reserved parking spaces currently cost £1000 per year.

Disabled Parking

2.54 Newcastle University is committed to ensuring that disabled staff members are able to access the university campus and are not discriminated against, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (1995).

2.55 If staff or students have a Blue Badge, then parking at the university is free. All that is required is a completed CP1, which includes a copy of the front and back of the Blue Badge.

2.56 If staff or students do not have a blue badge, then a meeting with the University Occupational Health Department is required, where a confidential medical assessment will be undertaken and then a permit can be issued. Standard permit charges will be applicable in these cases. Additionally, permits can also be issued to someone with a temporary mobility impairment.

Car Share Parking

2.57 The university currently has 25 designated car share parking bays at Richardson Road and the car share scheme is advertised on the university car share website www.liftshare.com.

2.58 To qualify for a car share parking bay, staff have to apply for a car sharer’s permit and must undertake the following:

• Pay the annual disc fee of £50;

• Pay the daily required 'pay and display' fee when parking on campus;

• Ensure that only one of the cars registered on the same permit is parked on the campus at any one time (other than after 4.00pm and at weekends); and

• Ensure that if more than one car is parked on campus the relevant pay and display fee has been paid for both vehicles.



2.59 Take up of this scheme over the last few years has been slow, with staff opting for public transport as an option ahead of car sharing. The majority of staff who do use this facility live in areas where public transport services are limited.

Car Parking Access

2.60 All the main university car parks are accessed via an automated barrier. This includes the Herschel, Refectory, Park & Devonshire Terrace car parks.

2.61 In terms of car park security, the university does not at present clamp unauthorised vehicles. However, the university are in the process of implementing a civil penalties scheme for unauthorised parking on campus.

Contractor Parking

2.62 A new system for contractor parking has been implemented at the university. The system, established on 1st October 2008, controls the amount of contractor vehicles on site, particularly important when considering the reduced parking provision for staff. The new system assesses the need for a contractor to have their vehicle on site and if they are required to bring a vehicle onto the campus, they are charged a daily rate of £6.00.

2.63 A copy of the Contractor Parking Arrangement document can be found in Appendix A.

Motorcycle Provision 2.64 In 2005/06, there were no designated

motorcycle parking spaces / areas on the main campus. Motorcycles and mopeds tended to be parked in or close to cycle parking facilities (see photo opposite).

2.65 Motorcycles continue to be parked close to or with pedal cycles. This system appears to be working and there is no apparent conflict of interest. This system of motorcycle parking will continue at the university unless supply starts to outstrip demand.



Cycling Provision Cycle Parking & Storage

2.66 In 2006, the university had capacity for 612 cycles at various locations across the main university campus. By 2008, cycle parking provision on the main university campus has increased to 721, with 109 cycle parking spaces added at the Medical School. A comparison of cycle parking spaces 2006 and 2008 is shown in Table 2.8 below.

Table 2.8 – 2006 and 2008 Main Campus Cycle Parking Provision

2006 2008 Cycle Parking Location

Number of Spaces

Type of Cycle Stand

Number of Spaces

Type of Cycle Stand

Agriculture Building 28 Sheffield 28 Sheffield

Herschel Building 50 Sheffield &

Butterfly 50 Sheffield & Butterfly

King’s Walk 22 Sheffield 22 Sheffield

Under Fine Art Building 156 Sheffield &


Claremont Tower 41 Butterfly 41 Butterfly

Under Claremont Bridge

21 Butterfly 21 Butterfly

Robinson Library Building 60 Sheffield &

Butterfly 60 Sheffield

Cassie Building 41 Sheffield 41 Sheffield

Cassie & Stephenson Building

38 Sheffield 38 Sheffield

Merz Court Building 65 Sheffield &


Old Library Building 5 Butterfly 5 Butterfly

Percy Building 4 Butterfly 4 Butterfly

Ridley Building 30 Sheffield 30 Sheffield

Medical Building 23 Sheffield 132 Sheffield

Paul O’Gorman Building 10 Sheffield 10 Sheffield

UniversitySports Centre 18 Sheffield 18 Sheffield

Total Spaces 612 721



2.67 In 2006, the major cycle parking areas were located underneath the Fine Art Building, Merz Court Building, Robinson Library Building and Herschel Building.

2.68 By 2008, an additional 89 cycle parking spaces had been provided in the underground parking area at the Medical School, with 20 covered Sheffield stands at the Medical School entrance after the relocation of the cycle lockers. All butterfly racks around the Robinson Library have been removed and replaced with Sheffield racks.

2.69 In terms of on site security, the campus is well covered by CCTV. The university has a campus-wide CCTV scheme in operation with in excess of 150 cameras throughout the site. This is manned 24 hours a day by in-house staff within the Security Control Centre located in the Armstrong Building. However, despite the number of cameras, the campus stills suffer from the occasional theft and vandalism of cycles. Static CCTV cameras cover the following cycle parking areas:

• University Sports Centre;

• Front of the Cassie Building;

• Under the Fine Art Building;

• King’s Walk;

• Herschel Building; and

• Agriculture Building

2.70 The university is also looking into potential opportunities for improved or additional cycle parking. Possible locations are listed below.

• Cassie Building: Side of building where existing lockers are located – add a further 4 lockers and remove some of the Sheffield racks as these are underused;

• Old Library Building: Remove old butterfly racks attached to brickwork at front entrance and replace with Sheffield stands;

• Percy Quad: Additional stands;

• Bedson Quad: Revamp old storage unit to include new cycle stands and possibly extend to create larger unit;

• Herschel: Remove old butterfly racks and provide additional Sheffield stands;

• Side of Herschel King George VI: Remove butterfly racks from current storage area – clear out and add new Sheffield racks; and

Agriculture: Investigate potential for lockers Cycle Routes

2.71 Presently, cyclists can more or less cycle anywhere on campus, although there is a signed route near the Robinson Library. Cycle to Work Scheme

2.72 The Cycle to Work Scheme was introduced in May 2007 as an incentive to encourage staff to cycle to work rather than travelling by less sustainable modes of transport.

2.73 The scheme allows staff to choose a bike and safety equipment from a designated local bike shop. The University then purchases the equipment and hires the equipment back to the employee under a hire agreement. The scheme is now available to staff all year round.

2.74 During the time the scheme has been open to staff , 177 staff have registered online. The total amount of cycle and equipment ordered came to a total cost of approximately £116,000. Staff are each entitled to a voucher up to £1000 and using the scheme, they can save anywhere between 29% and 41% depending on their personal circumstances. Presently, the average expenditure per member of staff is £657.

2.75 As new members join the scheme, even more savings can be made.



Shower and Changing Facilities

2.76 Since 2006, the university has continued to improve and increase the shower and changing facilities at the university. Presently, shower and changing facilities are available at the following locations:

• Agriculture - Ground Floor (Female) and (Male)

• Armstrong - Ground Floor (Female)

• Catherine Cookson- Ground Floor (Unisex) and (Female)

• Claremont Tower - Floor 8 (Female) and Floor 3 (Male)

• Dayish - Floor 1 (Male)

• Devonshire - Floor 1,2,3,4, and 5 (Unisex)

• Drummond - Ground Floor

• Kensington Terrace - Ground Floor (Male)

• King George VI - Basement (Unisex)

• Merz Court - Floor 3 (Unisex)

• Old Library Building - Level 1 (Unisex)

• Park Terrace - Ground Floor and Floor 2 (Male)

• Percy Building - Basement (Ladies) and (Male)

• Politics - Ground Floor (Unisex)

• Robinson Library - Level 1 (Female) and (Male)

• William Leech- Floor 3 (Male) and (Female)

Walking Provision 2.77 The main walking routes through central campus use Haymarket Lane, King’s Walk and the

Quadrangle, Claremont Road and King’s Road. Lovers Lane is a popular link with people walking and cycling between central and the eastern part of the campus.

• As part of the University Masterplan, the university proposes to enhance the major pedestrian links on campus through the Coherent Campus initiative and has plans to improve the external environment including the development of the King’s Quad which will involve the demolition of the Museum of Antiquities

2.78 Work to open out the campus and improve disabled access is ongoing, with the landscaping of the existing Claremont and Percy Quadrangles already complete.

2.79 Figure 2.9 below shows the main campus pedestrian and wheelchair access.

Figure 2.9 – Main Campus Pedestrian and Wheelchair Access





3. Employee Travel Patterns 3.1 To better understand how existing facilities and planned improvements cater for the needs of staff

at the university, the following section of the report analyses travel surveys conducted with University staff in June 2008.

3.2 The 2008 staff survey has been compared with results from the 2006 staff travel survey and where possible / practicable, a comparison has also been made with the staff survey undertaken in 2004.

3.3 Questionnaires were distributed to all staff by post. Alternatively, staff could complete the travel to work survey form on the University’s intranet site.

3.4 A process of cleaning the survey was undertaken. In 2008, a total of 2,184 employees returned a valid survey form, which represents a 44% response rate12. This is considered to be representative of University staff travel patterns. The 2006 response rate was 43.1%, with the response rate in 2004 46.6%.

3.5 Each survey gathered data regarding University employees’ place of work, work patterns and type of work, mode of transport to work and journey to and from work, parking and potential incentives to encourage staff to use public transport, car share or cycle. The following section analyses the results, enabling them to update the University’s transport strategy and revise the Travel Plan’s objectives, targets and measures.

3.6 A copy of the 2008 staff survey can be found in Appendix B.

Modal Split Main Mode of Travel

3.7 Staff were asked questions on the modes of transport they use to travel to work. This included the following:

• Main mode of travel in a typical week;

• Any changes in mode of travel in the last 4 months; and

• Previous main mode of travel;

• Time of journey to work with previous mode; and

• The main reasons for the change in mode

3.8 Respondents could choose between eleven different modes of transport, including bus, bicycle, car driver, car as passenger, car sharer with colleagues on campus, car sharer with others, walk, motorbike, train, metro and park & ride.

3.9 In terms of main mode of travel, the results from 2008 survey are extremely encouraging. There has been a significant reduction in the proportion of car drivers, a large increase in the use of public transport (bus, train, metro and park and ride) and an increase in cycling. However, there has been a slight reduction in the proportion of staff that walk to work.

3.10 After examining the results, it is clear that measures implemented by the university are decreasing reliance on the car and are encouraging the use of public transport and cycling.

3.11 A comparison of the 2008, 2006 and 2004 surveys is detailed in Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 overleaf. The headline figures include:

• Car Drivers have decreased by 10 percentage points, from 35.3% in 2006 to 25.3% in 2008. Between 2008 and 2004, there has been a 15.1 percentage point decrease;

12 4,926 staff employed in 2008, 4,567 staff employed in 2006 and 4,374 staff employed in 2004



• Public Transport users have increased by 6.2 percentage points, from 40.4% in 2006 to 46.6% in 2008. Between 2008 to 2004, there has been a 8.4 percentage point increase;

3.12 Looking at public transport in more detail, between 2006 and 2008:

• Travel by train has increased by 1.1 percentage points;

• Travel by metro has increased by 0.7 percentage points;

• Travel using Park & Ride has increased 1.0 percentage points; and

• Travel by bus has increased by 3.4 percentage points

3.13 In terms of sustainable modes of travel:

• Staff that cycle to work have increased by 2.9 percentage points, from 6.2% in 2006 to 9.1% in 2008. Between 2008 and 2004, there was a 3.8 percentage point increase; and

• Staff that walk to work have decreased by 1 percentage point from 10.6% in 2006 to 9.6% in 2008. In 2004 the percentage of staff walking to work (9.7%) was almost identical to 2008

Table 3.1 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Modal Split

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Mode of Transport

% of Respondents

Number of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Variation 2006-08

Car as Driver 40.4% 691 35.3% 547 25.3% -10.0

Car as Passenger 5.6% 115 5.9% 120 5.6% -0.3

Car Sharing Arrangement13 0% 0 0% 66 3.1% 3.1

Car Users 46% 806 41.2% 733 34% -7.2

Motorbike 0.3% 9 0.5% 15 0.7% 0.2

Train 2.6% 75 3.8% 106 4.9% 1.1

Metro 18.1% 348 17.8% 400 18.5% 0.7

Park & Ride 0.6% 13 0.7% 36 1.7% 1.0

Bus 16.9% 354 18.1% 463 21.5% 3.4

PT Users 38.2% 790 40.4% 1005 46.6% 6.2

Cycle 5.3% 121 6.2% 197 9.1% 2.9

Walk 9.7% 207 10.6% 208 9.6% -1.0

Other14 0.3% 24 1.2% 0 0% -1.2

Total 99.8% 1957 100.1% 2158 100%

13 Car sharing arrangement was not available as an option in 2006 or 2004 14 Other was not available as an option in 2008



Figure 3.1 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Modal Split – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Bus

Bic

ycle

Car

as

Driv

er

Car

as

Pas

seng

er

Car

Sha

ring

Arra

ngem

ent

Wal

k

Mot

orbi

ke

Trai

n

Met

ro

Park

& R

ide

Oth

er

200420062008

Changing Modes

Previous Mode

3.14 Staff were asked if they had changed their main mode of travel to work in the last 4 months. All 2184 staff answered this question, with 235 (or 10.8%) stating that they had recently changed modes. Figure 3.2 illustrates the following:

• 113 staff (47.7% of respondents) changed from car driver;

• 40 staff (16.9% of respondents) changed from the bus;

• 31 staff (13.1% of respondents) changed from metro; and

• Only 10 staff (4.2% of respondents) stopped cycling



Figure 3.2 – 2008 Staff Modal Shift – Percentage of Respondents

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Bus

Bicy

cle

Car

as

Driv

er

Car

as

Pass

enge

r

Wal

k

Mot

orbi

ke

Trai

n

Met

ro

Park

& R

ide

Previous Travel Time

3.15 After analysing the results for travel time by previous mode, 61.7% of respondents who have recently changed mode took less than 30 minutes to get to work, with only 4.6% of respondents taking more than 60 minutes.

Reason for Change in Mode

3.16 Table 3.2 below shows the reason for changes in mode. A large percentage of respondents indicated that the cost of parking on campus (21.8%) and a reduction in available parking on campus (20.9%) are key reasons for staff changing mode. Additionally, 7.7% of respondents stated that they changed modes due to improved deals on public transport.

Table 3.2 – Staff Reason for Recent Change in Mode – Percentage of Responses15

Reason for Change Number of Responses % of Responses Reduction in available parking on campus 49 20.9% Change to a pay and display system 23 9.8% Rising cost of fuel 34 14.5% Cost of parking on campus 51 21.8% Better deals on public transport tickets 18 7.7% Desire to reduce your carbon footprint 21 9% Other 124 53% Total Number of Responses 320 Total Number of Respondents 234 136.7%

15 Total number of responses superior to number of respondents because staff able to select more than one answer.



The Journey to Work Staff Origins

3.17 In 2008, a total of 2001 staff provided a partial postcode (postal areas), of which 1677 full staff home postcodes were collected. Table 3.2 below shows most popular neighbourhood for staff in 2004 and 2006 and Figure 3.3 overleaf shows these results in more detail.

3.18 Although Gosforth, Jesmond and Byker remain the most popular areas for staff to live in, it is interesting to note that a significant number of staff commute from areas near the coast, including North Shields and Whitley Bay.

Table 3.3 – Staff Origins: Main Postcode Areas

2006 Survey 2008 Survey

Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE3 (Gosforth) 203 10.9% NE3 (Gosforth) 231 11.5% NE2 (Jesmond) 136 7.3% NE2 (Jesmond) 143 7.1% NE6 (Byker) 90 4.9% NE6 (Byker) 95 4.7% NE26 (Whitley Bay) 61 3.3% NE30 (North Shields) 63 3.1% NE4 (General Hospital) 61 3.3% NE25 (Whitley Bay) 61 3.0% NE7 (Heaton) 59 3.2% NE26 (Whitley Bay) 58 2.9% NE30 (North Shields) 56 3.% NE4 (General Hospital) 58 2.9% NE25 (Whitley Bay) 54 2.9% NE61(Morpeth) 54 2.7% NE12 (Longbenton) 50 2.7% NE5 (Denton Park) 53 2.6% NE15 (Lemington) 50 2.7% NE12 (Killingworth) 52 2.6%

Workplace Location

3.19 87.1% of respondents are based at the University’s main campus. 277 respondents said that they are based at other locations, with 207 on another site in the city centre and 70 outside the city centre.



Figure 3.3 – 2008 Staff Origins Density Map



Distance Travelled

3.20 University employees were asked how far they travel to work. The 2008 results show that a large majority of respondents (66.8%) live 10 miles or less from their workplace and are more likely to be able to use public transport, walk or cycle to work. The 2008 survey results were consistent with those from previous surveys, with 2006 (66%) and 2004 (65.7%) of respondents living within 10 miles or less from their workplace. Table 3.4 and Figure 3.4 below and show the results in detail.

Table 3.4 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Distance Travelled to Work

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Distance Travelled to Work % of

Respondents % of

Respondents Number of

Respondents % of

Respondents Less than 1 mile 5.4% 4.7% 83 3.9% 1 to 5 miles 36.1% 35.7% 774 36% 6 to 10 miles 24.2% 25.6% 578 26.9% 11 to 20 miles 24.2% 24.5% 505 23.5% Over 20 miles 10.2% 9.5% 211 9.8% Total 100.1% 100% 2151 100.1%

Figure 3.4 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Distance Travelled to Work – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Less than 1mile

1 to 5 miles 6 to 10 miles 11 to 20 miles Over 20 miles

2004

2006

2008

Journey Duration

3.21 Staff were asked about the duration of their journey to work. Results show that in 2008 the majority of respondents (56.8%) travel 30 minutes or less to get to work. In 2006, 51.6% of respondents took less than 30 minutes to get to work, with a figure in 2004 of 51.5%. This shows that approximately 5% of journeys are quicker in 2008 compared to 2006 and 2004, possibly a result of staff switching to public / sustainable transport, rather than driving to work.



3.22 In 2008, almost 5.1% of respondents travel for more than 1 hour to get to work, while in 2006 the figure is closer to 6.6%. In general, it appears that journey duration times are falling. Table 3.5 and Figure 3.5 show the results in more detail.

Table 3.5 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Duration of Journey to Work

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Duration of Journey to Work

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 14.1% 11.4% 306 14.2% 16 to 30 minutes 37.4% 40.2% 921 42.6% 31 to 60 minutes 42.3% 41.7% 824 38.1% 61 to 90 minutes 5.6% 5.9% 101 4.7% Longer than 90 minutes 0.6% 0.7% 8 0.4% Total 100% 99.9% 2160 100%

Figure 3.5 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Duration of Journey to Work – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

0 to 15 minutes 16 to 30minutes

31 to 60minutes

61 to 90minutes

Longer than 90minutes

2004

2006

2008

Detour on the Way to Work

3.23 University employees were asked if their journey to work involves a detour such as taking children to school or family members to work. In the 2008 survey, the proportion of respondents including a detour in their journey to work increased by 4.6 percentage points from 18.3% in 2006 to 22.9% in 200816. The percentage for from the 2004 survey was 15.9%.

16 The 22.9% includes staff who answered this question ‘Yes’ and ‘Sometimes’



Work Patterns Working Days

3.24 In 2008, the majority of respondents (78.4%) work 5 days a week, a decrease of 1.3 percentage points from 2006 (79.7%) but an increase of 1.7 percentage points on 2004 (76.7%).

3.25 In the 2008 survey, a lower proportion of staff (7.4%) work 7 days per week, compared with 2006 (10.3%) and 2004 (14.6%). The nature of the work undertaken by staff at the university, including teaching and research, is likely to explain the high proportion of staff working weekends (compared to other office based jobs), although it does appear there is a gradual decline in staff working more than 5 days per week.

3.26 In 2008, 14.1% of respondents work part time (up to 4 days per week) compared with 9.7% in 2006 and 8.8% in 2004. This is shown in Table 3.6 and Figure 3.6 below.

Table 3.6 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Number of Working Days

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Number of Working Days

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

2 or less 1% 1% 36 1.6% 3 days 4.1% 4.1% 112 5.2% 4 days 3.7% 4.6% 159 7.3% 5 days 76.7% 79.7% 1702 78.4% 6 days 7.1% 5.4% 103 4.7% 7 days 7.5% 4.9% 59 2.7% Total 100.1% 100% 2171 99.9%

Figure 3.6 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Number of Working Days – Percentage of Respondents

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2 days orless

3 days 4 days 5 days 6 days 7 days

2004

2006

2008



Working Hours

3.27 Staff were asked about the times they usually start and finish work. In 2008, 72.7% of staff start work between the hours of 8am and 6pm, with 82.1% of staff finishing during the same time period. The results for 2006 were similar. Between 8am and 6pm, 72.3% of staff started work and 80.3% finished work.

3.28 In addition, in 2008 27% of staff actually started work before 6am and 17.8% finished after 6pm. In 2006, 27.5% of staff started before 8am and 19.1% finished after 6pm.

3.29 Looking at the 2008 survey start and finish times in more detail, 55.7% of respondents start work between 8am and 9am, with 48.4% of respondents finishing between 5pm and 6pm.

3.30 In 2008 and similar to 2006, a high proportion of staff state their work start and finish times are set between the hours of 8am and 6pm, which suggests that staff continue to prefer to start and finish work during regular working hours. This would also indicate that staff do not take advantage of flexible working hours. Additionally, a large proportion of staff continue to arrive at the university before 8am, probably to find a parking space on the campus.

Table 3.7 – 2008 Staff Working Hours Start & Finish Times

Start Times Finish Times Working Hours


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

6am to 8am 578 27% 3 0.1% 8am to 6pm 1560 72.7% 1745 82.1% After 6pm 3 0.1% 378 17.8% Total 2141 99.8% 2126 100%

Table 3.8 – 2006 Staff Working Hours Start & Finish Times

Start Times Finish Times Working Hours


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

6am to 8am 535 27.5% 11 0.6% 8am to 6pm 1408 72.3% 1532 80.3% After 6pm 4 0.3% 364 19.1% Total 1947 100.1% 1907 100%

Profile of Respondents Job Roles & Grades

3.31 The staff survey also included questions about the job roles, grade, age, gender and any disability that might affect travel arrangements

3.32 In terms of the type of work undertaken by staff (job family):

• 43.2% of respondents work in the administrative and professional category;

• 40.2% of respondents work in research teaching and engagement;

• 10.1% of respondents work in specialist technical and professional; and

• 4.9% of respondents are in operational support

3.33 Figure 3.7 shows a breakdown of the staff by grade in 2008. The chart shows that:

• Almost a quarter of staff (23%) are grade F;

• Almost three quarters of staff (74.9%) are grade C to G; and

• 6.8% of staff are grade B or above



Figure 3.7 – 2008 Staff by Grade

0

5

10

15

20

25

A B C D E F G H I ClinicalConsulatant

Other Clinical Other

Age & Gender

3.34 In 2008, 58.9% of respondents were female, with 41.1% male. This is similar to the previous surveys, where 60.2% (2006) and 59.3% (2004) of respondents were female.

3.35 In terms of age distribution, the results were similar to 2006 and 2004, with fewer staff in the “under 25” and “55 and over” groups. The “35-44” age category generated the highest percentage response for 2008 (28.5%), 2006 (30.1%) and 2004 (28.5%). The figures are shown in Table 3.9 below.

Table 3.9 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Age Groups

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Age

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Under 25 4.8% 3.6% 71 3.3% 25 - 34 26.7% 23.7% 537 25.3% 35 - 44 28.5% 30.1% 605 28.5% 45 - 54 26.1% 28.2% 572 26.9% 55 or Over 13.9% 14.4% 341 16% Total 100% 100% 2126 100%

Disability

3.36 In 2008, 3% of respondents (65 people) said that they had a disability which affects their travel arrangements, compared to 2.8% of respondents (55 people) in 2006. From the 65 respondents in 2008, 39 said they use a car to get to the university, with 18 staff using public transport. As shown in Table 3.10 below, the results for disabled car users are consistent between 2008 and 2006, but for public transport users there is a doubling of staff between 2008 and 2006.



Table 3.10 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Disabled Respondents by Usual Mode of Travel

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Mode of Transport


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Car driver 31 57.4% 30 46.2% Car passenger 6 11.1% 9 13.8% PT user 9 16.7% 18 27.6% Cycle 0 0% 3 4.6% Walk 6 11.1% 5 7.7% Other 2 3.7% 0 0% Total 54 100% 65 99.9%



Car Drivers 3.37 This section examines travel patterns of respondents who usually drive their car to work in more

detail as they were the main target group for the 2006 Travel Plan measures.

Origins and place of work 3.38 Table 3.9 below shows the main postcode areas where car drivers travel from and the percentage

of car drivers originating from each area in both the 2006 and the 2008 surveys. The 2008 survey shows a large number of drivers travelling from rural areas where public transport services are less frequent. This is consistent with the 2006 survey. However, in the 2006 survey, a large number of staff drove from areas close to the university including Wallsend, Longbenton, Heaton and the General Hospital. It is interesting to note that none of these areas represented in the 2008 list, indicating that these shorter car journeys have now transferred to public transport or more sustainable modes.

3.39 Figure 3.8 overleaf shows where staff travel to work from and by which mode. This also includes car drivers.

Table 3.11 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Origins: Main Postcode Areas

2006 Respondents 2008 Respondents

Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE3 (Gosforth) 46 7.1% NE3 (Gosforth) 39 7.0% NE61 (Morpeth) 31 4.8% NE61 (Morpeth) 28 5.0% NE20 (Ponteland) 31 4.8% NE20 (Ponteland) 26 4.6% NE46 (Hexham) 26 4% NE46 (Hexham) 26 4.6% NE23 (Cramlington) 25 3.9% NE23 (Cramlington) 18 3.2% NE28 (Wallsend) 20 3.1% NE16 (Blaydon) 16 2.9% NE40 (Ryton) 18 2.8% NE5 (Westerhope) 16 2.9% NE25 (Whitley Bay) 17 2.6% DH8 (Consett) 15 2.7% DH8 (Consett) 17 2.6% NE15 (Lemington) 15 2.7% NE4 (General Hospital) 16 2.5% NE43 (Stocksfield) 15 2.7% NE15 (Lemington) 16 2.5% NE30 (North Shields) 14 2.5% NE7 (Heaton) 15 2.3% NE40 (Ryton) 14 2.5% NE12 (Longbenton) 15 2.3% NE29 (North Shields) 12 2.1%



Figure 3.8 – 2008 Staff Origins by Mode of Transport



Journey to Work Distance Travelled

3.40 In 2008, as shown in Table 3.12 and Figure 3.9 below, 55% of car drivers travel more than 10 miles to get to work, compared with just 33.3% for all respondents. When comparing the car driver figures from 2008 to the previous two surveys, it is clear that staff who are driving to work are travelling from further away. However, it is also important to note that 242 car drivers (or 45% of respondents) in 2008 travel less than 10 miles to get to work and are potentially within walking or cycling distance of the main campus.

Table 3.12 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Commuting Distance

2004 Survey Car Drivers



2008 Survey All

Respondents

Distance Travelled to Work

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 0.6% 1.0% 3 0.6% 3.9% 1 to 5 miles 21.5% 21.1% 92 17.1% 36% 6 to 10 miles 27% 28.4% 147 27.3% 26.9% 11 to 20 miles 35.2% 33.4% 193 35.9% 23.5% Over 20 miles 15.8% 16.1% 103 19.1% 9.8% Total 100.1% 100% 538 100% 100.1%

Figure 3.9 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Commuting Distance – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Less than 1mile

1 to 5 miles 6 to 10 miles 11 to 20miles

Over 20miles

2004

2006

2008

All Respondents

Journey Duration

3.41 Although the distance travelled to work by car drivers is longer, compared to both the 2006 and 2004 surveys (in addition to the figures for all 2008 respondents), there has been little change to the duration of their journey.



Table 3.13 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Journey Duration


2006 Survey Car Drivers 2008 Survey Car Drivers

2008 Survey All

Respondents

Duration of Journey to Work

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 14.1% 10.5% 53 9.9% 14.2% 16 to 30 minutes 40% 42% 230 43.1% 42.6% 31 to 60 minutes 41.8% 43.1% 224 41.9% 38.1% 61 to 90 minutes 4% 4.2% 26 4.9% 4.7% More than 90 mins 0.1% 0.1% 1 0.2% 0.4% Total 100% 99.9% 534 100% 100%

Figure 3.10 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

0 to 15minutes

16 to 30minutes

31 to 60minutes

61 to 90minutes

Longer than90 minutes

2004

2006

2008

All Respondents

Detour on the Way to Work

3.42 In 2008, 36.517% of car drivers said their journey to work involved a detour, compared with 31% in 2006 and 18.3% in 2004. This shows that there is an increasing trend for car drivers to undertake duties on the way to work, which could include dropping children off at school or other family members at work.

Work Patterns 3.43 In 2008, 9.4% of car drivers work part time (compared to 14.1% for all respondents). In 2006, 13%

of drivers worked part time.

3.44 In 2008, working days for car drivers are similar to those for all respondents, with the majority of staff working Monday to Thursday, with fewer staff working on Fridays. The 2006 and 2004 surveys follow the same pattern.

3.45 In the 2008 survey, 47.6% of Car Drivers arrive at work between the hours of 6am and 8am. In terms of finishing work, in 2008 73.6% of Car Drivers finish between the hours of 4pm and 6pm.

17 Includes ‘Yes’ and ‘Sometimes’



Parking 3.46 There has been a reduction in the number of car drivers with a university parking permit. In 2008,

61.9% of respondents who usually drive to work hold a university parking permit, compared to 75.5% in 2006 and 86.6% in 2004.

3.47 There has also been a change in the parking location for car drivers. In 2008, 59.8% of car driver’s park on campus, compared to 72.3% in 2006 and 83.1% in 2004. This reduction in parking on campus is a result of the parking measures introduced by the university, including the increase in the cost of parking and the reduced number of parking spaces. There has been an increase in car drivers parking on roads adjacent to campus and in public car parks. This is illustrated in Table 3.14 Figure 3.11 below.

Table 3.14 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Parking Locations

2004 Survey 2006 Survey 2008 Survey Parking Location

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

On Campus 83.1% 72.3% 318 59.8% Paid parking on roads adjacent to campus 5% 6.4% 58 10.9% Free parking on roads adjacent to campus 2.3% 3.3% 40 7.5% In public car park 4.8% 7% 45 8.5% Park & Ride 0% 0% 4 0.8% Other Site 10.5% 11% 78 14.7% Total 105.7% 100% 532 102.2%18

Figure 3.11 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Driver Parking Locations – Percentage of Respondents

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

On Campus Paid parking onroads adjacent

to campus

Free parkingon roads

adjacent tocampus

In public carpark

Park & Ride OtherUniversity site

Other

200420062008

18 Total greater than 100% as respondents could select more than one response



Willingness to use Alternative Modes of Transport Reason for Using a Car to Travel to Work

3.48 In 2008, the main reasons for car drivers using a car to travel to work were convenience (32.1%) and lack of suitable alternative (33.6%), consistent with the pattern from 2004 and 2006. However, in the 2008 survey, a significant proportion of staff also said that they needed the car to drop of family members and children (23.2)19.

3.49 In 2008, 15.5% of car drivers said that their car is essential for performing their job, compared to 11.7% in 2006 and 14.5% in 2004. Despite a slight rise in the proportion of staff stating that their car is essential for work, the results still reflect the fact that the majority of staff spend most of their working day on campus. Figure 3.12 below shows the results in more detail.

Figure 3.12 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Reason for Travel by Car – Percentage of Respondents20

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Car essential toperform job

Health reasons Lack of suitablealternative

Convenience Drop off children/ other familymembers on

route

Other

200420062008

Occasional Mode of Travel

3.50 In 2008, 68.5% of car drivers identified other modes of transport they occasionally use to get to work, compared to 79.5% in 2006. 31.5% of car drivers in 2008 said they never use an occasional mode. In terms of the occasional modes used, 48.6% of car drivers occasionally travel by public transport, 3.6% cycle to work and 1.8% to work. The results are shown in Table 3.15 below.

Table 3.15 – 2008 Car Drivers Occasional Mode of Travel

Occasional Mode of Travel Number of Respondents % of Respondents Car as passenger 57 11.5% Motorbike 10 2% Public Transport 241 48.6% Train 36 7.3% Metro 52 10.5% Park & Ride 5 1% Bus 148 29.8% Bicycle 18 3.6% Walk 9 1.8% None 156 31.5% Total 496 100%

19 This was not an option in the 2006 and 2004 surveys 20 Total greater than 100% as respondents could select more than one response



Potential for Car Sharing

3.51 Car drivers were asked what would encourage them to car share. In 2008, 55.1% of car drivers who answered this question said that nothing would encourage them to car share, compared to 41.7% in 2006. In 2008, from the staff that gave a positive response, 26.1% said they would like help finding a car share partner and 22.8% said they would like reserved parking for car sharers. Figure 3.13 below shows these results in more detail.

Figure 3.13 – 2004, 2006 and 2008 Staff Car Drivers Car Sharing Incentives – Percentage of Respondents21

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Help f indingcar share

partners w ithsimilar w ork

patterns

Free travelhome if let

dow n by carshare partner

Reservedparking for car

sharers

Reduced carparking

availability

None Already carshare

Other

200420062008

Potential to use Public Transport

3.52 Car Drivers were asked what would encourage them to use public transport. In 2008, 97.1% of car drivers answered this question. 30.3% of car drivers said that none of the changes described would encourage them to use public transport, exactly the same percentage as 2006. However respondents who considered using public transport selected ‘more direct bus routes’, “more frequent bus services’ and ‘discount tickets / passes’ as the main changes they would like to see implemented. The same options were also the most popular in the 2006 and 2004 surveys, as shown in Figure 3.14 overleaf.

21 Total greater than 100% as respondents could select more than one response



Figure 3.14 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Potential to use PT – Percentage of Respondents22

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Mor

e di

rect

bus

rout

es

Mor

e fre

quen

t bus

ser

vice

s

Mor

e co

nven

ient

bus

dro

p of

f poi

nts

Mor

e fre

quen

t met

ro s

ervi

ces

Mor

e fre

quen

t tra

in s

ervi

ces

Bette

r bus

con

nect

ions

from

trai

n st

atio

n to

wor

k an

dho

me

Bette

r bus

con

nect

ions

from

hom

e to

met

ro

Bette

r lig

htin

g at

bus

she

lters

and

wor

kpla

ce fo

otpa

ths

Dis

coun

t tic

kets

/ pa

sses

ava

ilabl

e th

roug

h co

rpor

ate

disc

ount

sch

emes

Impr

oved

par

k an

d rid

e fa

ciliti

es

Incr

ease

d ca

r par

king

cha

rges

Prov

isio

n of

bus

link

from

key

city

cen

tre lo

catio

ns to

cam

pus

Lack

of a

vaila

bility

of c

ar p

arki

ng s

pace

s

Non

e

Oth

er

200420062008

Potential to Cycle

3.53 As shown by Figure 3.15 below, for the surveys in 2008, 2006 and 2004 the majority of Car Drivers answered that ‘none’ of the changes listed in the staff survey would encourage them to cycle. However, in the 2008 survey there were a significant number of car drivers who selected ‘more and improved cycle paths on the journey to work’, ‘more and improved cycle changing facilities and lockers at work’ (including showers) and ‘more and improved cycle parking at workplace’ as the main improvements they would like to see implemented. The same improvements were selected in the 2006 and 2004 surveys.

Figure 3.15 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Car Drivers Potential to Cycle – Percentage of Respondents23

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

More and improvedcycle paths on

campus

More and improvedcycle paths onjourney to w ork

More and improvedcycle parking at

w orkplace

More and improvedshow er facilities

and lockers at w ork

Arrangements tobuy a bicycle at a

discount

Other None

200420062008

22 Total greater than 100% as respondents could select more than one response 23 Total greater than 100% as respondents could select more than one response



Public Transport Users Public Transport User Origins

3.54 The main postcode areas where public transport users travel from are detailed in Table 3.16 below. The majority of these areas are central and / or well served by public transport (Gosforth, North Shields). Looking at both the 2008 and 2006 postcode areas, staff who use public transport are still travelling from very similar areas.

Table 3.16 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Public Transport Origins Main Postcode Areas


Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE3 (Gosforth) 84 11.2% NE3 (Gosforth) 101 10.8% NE26 (Whitley Bay) 47 6.3% NE25 (Whitley Bay) 45 4.8% NE30 (North Shields) 40 5.3% NE30 (North Shields) 45 4.8% NE25 (Whitley Bay) 35 4.7% NE26 (Whitley Bay) 41 4.4% NE6 (Byker) 29 3.9% NE6 (Byker) 39 4.2% NE10 (Gateshead) 29 3.9% NE12 (Longbenton) 36 3.9% NE12 (Longbenton) 27 3.6% NE10 (Gateshead) 30 3.2% NE15 (Lemington) 25 3.3% NE28 (Wallsend) 27 2.9% NE5 (Denton Park) 24 3.2% DH1 (Durham) 26 2.8% NE28 (Wallsend) 23 3.1% NE15 (Lemington) 26 2.8% NE2 (Jesmond) 22 2.9% NE29 (North Shields) 26 2.8% NE7 (Heaton) 20 2.7% NE23 (Cramlington) 23 2.5%


3.55 The majority of public transport users from the 2008 survey (68.1%) travel between 1 and 10 miles to get to work, consistent with the 2006 survey (67.6%). However, a significant proportion of public transport users (31.8%) travel more than 10 miles to get to work. The results are shown in Table 3.17 below and Figure 3.16 overleaf.

Table 3.17 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Commuting Distance

2004 Survey PT Users

2006 Survey PT Users 2008 Survey PT Users

2008 Survey All

Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 1.9% 1.0% 9 0.9% 3.9% 1 to 5 miles 41.7% 34.0% 324 32.6% 36% 6 to 10 miles 30.4% 32.6% 344 34.6% 26.9% 11 to 20 miles 20.7% 25.4% 248 24.9% 23.5% Over 20 miles 5.4% 7.1% 69 6.9% 9.8% Total 100.1% 100.1% 994 99.9% 100.1%



Figure 3.16 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Commuting Distance – Percentage of Respondents

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Less than 1mile

1 to 5 miles 6 to 10 miles 11 to 20 miles Over 20 miles

2004

2006

2008

Journey Duration

3.56 Although public transport users generally travel shorter distances to work, their journey takes longer than other users. In 2008, 51.2% of public transport users travel for more than 30 minutes slower than 43.2% for all respondents but quicker than public transport users in the 2006 survey (62.8%). The results are shown in Table 3.18 below and Figure 3.17 overleaf.

Table 3.18 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Journey Duration

2004 Survey PT Users

2006 Survey PT Users 2008 Survey PT Users

2008 Survey All

Respondents

Journey Duration

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 4.5% 4.1% 83 8.3% 14.2% 16 to 30 minutes 34.2% 33.2% 404 40.4% 42.6% 31 to 60 minutes 51.6% 51.4% 443 44.3% 38.1% 61 to 90 minutes 8.5% 10.1% 63 6.3% 4.7% More than 90 mins 1.2% 1.3% 6 0.6% 0.4% Total 100% 100.1% 999 99.9% 100%



Figure 3.17 - 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff PT Users Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0 to 15minutes

16 to 30minutes

31 to 60minutes

61 to 90minutes

Longer than90 minutes

2004

2006

2008

Discounted Travel Scheme 3.57 For staff that travel to the university by public transport, 59.4% stated they have a ticket through

the university discounted travel scheme. This equates to a total of 559 staff.

Occasional Mode of Transport 3.58 Amongst 2008 respondents who usually take public transport services to get to work, 23.9% said

they occasionally drive to work (26.5% in 2006 and 25.1% in 2004). 19.3% of 2008 respondents occasionally get a lift to work, much lower than the percentage for 2006 (38.4%) and 2004 (34.9%). In terms of using a more sustainable mode of travel to get to work, in 2008 6.7% of public transport users occasionally walk to work, compared to 15% in 2006 and 9.6% in 2004.

Improvements to Public Transport Users Journey 3.59 Public transport users were also asked about potential improvements to their journey to work. In

2008, the majority of respondents chose discounted tickets (33.3%), more frequent Metro services (22.9%) and more frequent bus services (21.4%). The results from the 2008 were consistent with those from the 2006 survey.



Pedestrians and Cyclists 3.60 In 2008, 405 (18.7%) of respondents stated that they usually cycle or walk to the university,

compared to 341 (16.8%) in 2006 and 268 respondents (15%) in 2004. In 2008, 9.1% of respondents cycle to the university, compared to 6.2% in 2006 and 5.3% in 2004.

3.61 This represents a dramatic increase in cycling at the university and compared to the 2001 census data, where only 1.75% of Newcastle residents cycle to work.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Origins 3.62 In 2008, most respondents who walk or cycle to work come from relatively central areas of

Newcastle. The results from the 2008 survey are consistent with those from 2006. The results are shown in detail Table 3.19.

Table 3.19 – 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Origins Main Postcode Areas


Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE2 (Jesmond) 100 (16) 32.4% NE2 (Jesmond) 112 29.3% NE3 (Gosforth) 63 (42) 20.4% NE3 (Gosforth) 80 20.9% NE6 (Byker) 43 (12) 13.9% NE6 (Byker) 41 10.7% NE4 (General Hospital) 26 (4) 8.4% NE4 (General Hospital) 33 8.6% NE7 (Heaton) 21 (10) 6.8% NE1 (City Centre) 17 4.5% NE1 (City Centre) 16 (2) 5.2% NE8 (Gateshead) 16 4.2% NE8 (Gateshead) 10 (2) 3.2% NE7 (Heaton) 15 3.9%


3.63 In 2008, 90% of respondents who walk or cycle to work travel between 1 and 5 miles, compared to 90.4% in 2006 and 93.2% in 2004. However, there are 40 cyclists that travel more than 5 miles to get to work. As expected, cyclists and walkers travel a shorter distance than all respondents. The results are shown in 3.20 below overleaf.

Table 3.20 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Users Commuting Distance

2004 Survey Walk & Cycle

Users


Users 2008 Survey Walk & Cycle

Users 2008 Survey

All Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 28.9% 22.7% 69 17.3% 3.9% 1 to 5 miles 64.3% 67.7% 290 72.7% 36% 6 to 10 miles 4.9% 4.7% 26 6.5% 26.9% 11 to 20 miles 1.9% 3.8% 12 3% 23.5% Over 20 miles 0% 1.2% 2 0.5% 9.8% Total 100% 100% 399 100% 100.1%

Journey Duration

3.64 As the distance travelled by pedestrians and cyclists is shorter than the average distance for all respondents, so is their journey time. In 2008, 80.6% of pedestrians and cyclists travel to the University in under 30 minutes, compared with 78.9% in 2006 and 83.1% in 2004. The results are shown in more details in Table 3.21 overleaf.



Table 3.21 – 2004, 2006 & 2008 Staff Walk & Cycle Users Journey Duration


Users


Users 2008 Survey Walk & Cycle

Users 2008 Survey

All Respondents

Journey Duration

% of Respondents

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

% of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 40.8% 28.9% 131 32.5% 14.2% 16 to 30 minutes 42.3% 50% 194 48.1% 42.6% 31 to 60 minutes 16.5% 19.3% 73 18.1% 38.1% 61 to 90 minutes 0.4% 1.8% 5 1.2% 4.7% More than 90 mins 0% 0% 0 0% 0.4% Total 100% 100% 403 99.9% 100%

Occasional Mode of Transport 3.65 Amongst 2008 respondents who usually travel to work by cycle or on foot, 16.7% said they

occasionally drive to work (16.8% in 2006 and 19.2% in 2004). 5.5% of 2008 respondents occasionally get a lift to work, much lower than the percentage for 2006 (10.7%) and 2004 (11%). In 2008, 47% of respondents occasionally use public transport to get to work, compared to 50.7% in 2006 and 53.4% in 2004.

Improvements to Walk and Cycle Journey 3.66 Cyclists were also asked to identify measures which could improve their journey to the University.

110 cyclists stated that improved cycle paths on the way to work would encourage them to cycle. Additionally, cyclists also identified additional cycle parking and improved showers / lockers as important. The changes identified in 2008 were identical with those in 2006 and 2004.

25 Total is 920 due to a number of students responding with more than one mode of travel, even after the data had been cleaned. For example, where respondents selected “on foot” and “cycling” or “bus” and “metro”, both travel options had to be included in the figures.





4. Student Travel Patterns 4.1 A student travel survey was carried out in January 2009. The survey was accessible electronically

to all students on the University’s intranet system. The survey was arranged for January 2009 so all students had the opportunity to complete the survey after returning from the Christmas break. The results from the January 2009 survey have, where possible, been compared to the survey result from the previous student survey, undertaken in December 2005 and analysed early in 2006.

4.2 After cleaning the 2008 student survey data, a total of 861 valid surveys were returned, a response rate of 4.6%. Even though this is greater than the 1.4% response rate in 2006 and will provide a clearer indication of student travel patterns, this is still somewhat short of the a 10% survey response requirement. Therefore, the following analysis can only provide an indication of existing travel patterns for students at the University.

4.3 The survey gathered data regarding students’ mode of transport to University and journey to and from University, parking and time spent on campus. The following section analyses these results enabling them to be fed into the University’s transport strategy, revising the Travel Plan’s objectives, targets and measures.

4.4 A copy of the 2008 student travel survey is available in Appendix C.

Modal Split Main Mode of Travel

4.5 Students were asked about the main mode of transport they use to travel to work. Respondents could choose between eight different modes of transport, including car driver on own, car driver with passengers, motorcycle / moped / scooter, train, metro, bus, bicycle and walk.

4.6 In terms of main mode of travel, there has been a reduction in the proportion of car drivers, an increase in cyclists and an increase in walking. However, there has been a reduction in the proportion of students who use public transport (although there was an increase in the use of the Metro).

4.7 After examining the results, measures implemented by the university are decreasing reliance on the car and are encouraging the use of walking and cycling.

4.8 A comparison of the 2008 and 2006 surveys is shown in Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1 overleaf. The headline figures include:

• Car Drivers have decreased by 1.6 percentage points, from 9.2% in 2006 to 7.6% in 2008; and

• Public Transport users have decreased by 4.7 percentage points, from 34% in 2006 to 29.3% in 2008.

4.9 Looking at public transport in more detail, between 2006 and 2008:

• Travel by train has decreased by 1.3 percentage points;

• Travel by bus has decreased by 3.8 percentage points; and

• Travel by metro has increased by 0.4 percentage points;

4.10 In terms of sustainable modes of travel:

• Students that cycle to the university have increased by 4.5 percentage points, from 5.9% in 2006 to 10.4% in 2008; and



• Students that walk to the university have increased by 2.1 percentage points from 48.7% in 2006 to 50.8% in 2008. In 2004 the percentage of staff walking to work (9.7%) was almost identical to 2008

Table 4.1 – 2006 & 2008 Student Modal Split

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Mode of Transport

% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Variation 2006 - 2008

Car driver 9.2% 70 7.6% -1.6 Car passenger 1.7% 5 0.5% -1.2 Car Users 10.9% 75 8.1% -2.8 Motorbike 0.0% 2 0.2% 0.2 Train 2.5% 11 1.2% -1.3 Bus 18.9% 139 15.1% -3.8 Metro 12.6% 120 13.0% 0.4 Public Transport Users 34% 270 29.3% -4.7 Cycle 5.9% 96 10.4% 4.5 Walk 48.7% 467 50.8% 2.1 Other 0.4% 10 1.1% 0.7 Total 100% 92025 100%

Figure 4.1 – 2006 & 2008 Student Modal Split – Percentage of Respondents

Car

driv

er

Car

pass

enge

r

Mot

orbi

ke

Trai

n

Bus

Met

ro

Cyc

le

Wal

k

Oth

er

20062008

About the journey to the University Term-time residence

Term Time Postcodes

4.11 743 students’ term-time postcodes were identified in the 2008 survey. The analysis shows that the majority of respondents live in very similar areas of Newcastle as in 2006, with a large proportion living close to the centre. The main areas, from which students commute, are identified in Table 4.2 and Figure 4.2 overleaf.



Table 4.2 – 2006 & 2008 Student Term Time Postcodes


Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE2 (Jesmond) 84 42.4% NE2 (Jesmond) 359 48.3% NE6 (Byker) 32 16.2% NE6 (Byker) 89 12.0% NE4 (General Hospital) 23 11.6% NE4 (General Hospital) 76 10.2% NE1 (City Centre) 9 4.5% NE1 (City Centre) 75 10.1% NE3 (Gosforth) 7 3.5% NE3 (Gosforth) 52 7.0% NE7 (Heaton) 5 2.5% NE7 (Heaton) 24 3.2% NE5 (Denton Park) 4 2% NE8 (Gateshead) 19 2.6% NE8 (Gateshead) 4 2% DL1 5 0.7% NE28 (Wallsend) 3 1.5% SR6 4 0.5%

Student Accommodation

4.12 In 2008, the majority of respondents (60.7%) live in privately owned houses or flats that they rent during term-time, consistent with the results from 2006 (60.5%). 22.9% of respondents live in halls of residence and University flats. In 2008, fewer students who live on campus drive to the University, similar to 2006. The largest group of students driving to campus live at their parents / family house during term-time.

Table 4.3 – 2006 Student Term Time Accommodation & Car Drivers

All Respondents Car Drivers Type of Accommodation


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Halls of Residence or University flats 49 20.6% 1 4.5%

Private rental of house or flat 144 60.5% 8 36.4% Parents/Family home 29 12.2% 10 45.5% Other - Please specify below 16 6.7% 3 13.6% Total 238 100% 22 100%

Table 4.4 – 2008 Student Term Time Accommodation & Car Drivers

All Respondents Car Drivers Type of Accommodation


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Halls of Residence or University flats 197 22.9% 2 2.9%

Private rental of house or flat 523 60.7% 24 34.3% Parents/Family home 98 11.4% 32 45.7% Other - Please specify below 43 5.0% 12 17.1% Total 861 100.0% 70 100.0%



Figure 4.2 – 2008 Student Term Time Residence and Mode of Transport to the University



4.13 In addition to type of accommodation, students were also asked about which Halls of Residence

or University flats they lived in, as shown in Table 4.5 below

Table 4.5 – 2008 Student Term Time Accommodation – Halls of Residence and Flats

Accommodation Number of Respondents % of Respondents

Bowsden Court 16 7.6% Castle Leazes Halls 35 16.7% Claremont Place 0 0.0% Easton Flats 10 4.8% Henderson Hall 17 8.1% Jesmond Road 2 1.0% Leazes Parade 1 0.5% Leazes Terrace 22 10.5% Magnet Court 11 5.2% Marris House 10 4.8% North Terrace 0 0.0% Richardson Road 40 19.0% St Mary's College 16 7.6% The Grand Hotel 0 0.0% Windsor Terrace 11 5.2% Other 19 9.0% Total 210 100.0%

Distance Travelled 4.14 Students were asked to estimate the distance they travel to the University. The 2008 results show

that a large majority of respondents (79.7%) live within 5 miles of the University and are therefore more likely to use public transport, walk or cycle. The results are similar to those from 2006, although in 2006 a larger proportion of students lived within 1 mile of the university. Table 4.6 and Figure 4.3 show the results in more detail.

Table 4.6 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Distance Travelled

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Distance Travelled


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 80 33.6% 233 27.7% 1 to 5 miles 115 48.3% 437 52.0% 6 to 10 miles 16 6.7% 69 8.2% 11 to 20 miles 14 5.9% 59 7.0% Over 20 miles 13 5.5% 43 5.1% Total 238 100.0% 841 100.0%



Figure 4.3 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Distance Travelled – Percentage of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 1 to 5 miles 6 to 10 miles 11 to 20 miles Over 20 miles

20062008

Journey Duration 4.15 Students were also asked about the duration of their journey to the University. In 2008, 80.5% of

respondents take less than 30 minutes to get to the University, similar to the result from 2006 (77.7%). Table 4.7 and Figure 4.4 overleaf show the results in more detail.

Table 4.7 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Journey Duration

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Journey Duration


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 86 36.1% 267 31.0% 16 to 30 minutes 99 41.6% 426 49.5% 31 to 60 minutes 42 17.6% 134 15.6% Over 1 hour 11 4.6% 34 3.9% Total 238 100.0% 861 100.0%



Figure 4.4 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Journey Duration – Percentage of Respondents

0 to 15 minutes 16 to 30 minutes 31 to 60 minutes Over 1 hour

20062008

Students’ Time on Campus Students’ Attendance

4.16 In 2008, 58.3% of students are present on campus 5 days per week (Monday to Friday) longer than 2006 (53.2%). A significant proportion of students also travel to the University more than 5 days a week (13.1%), although this has fallen from the 22.7% in travelling to university more than 5 days per week in 2006. The large proportion of students travelling to the university more than 5 days per week is likely to be students visiting the library, Student Union or using other University facilities at the weekends. The results are shown in Table 4.8 below.

Table 4.8 - 2006 & 2008 Students’ Time on Campus

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Number of Days on Campus


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

2 days or less 7 3.0% 53 6.2% 3 days 16 6.8% 76 8.8% 4 days 34 14.3% 117 13.6% 5 days 126 53.2% 502 58.3% 6 days 29 12.2% 63 7.3% 7 days 25 10.5% 50 5.8% Total 237 100% 861 100%

Start and Finish Times

4.17 Students were asked about their start times. In 2008, a large proportion of students (82.2%) arrive at university between 08:30 and 10:00. The figure is 2006 was slightly lower at 77.3%. The percentage of students arriving at the university between 10:00 and 12:00 has decreased to 9.5% in 2008 compared to 18.9% in 2006. The results are shown in Table 4.9 below.



Table 4.9 – 2006 & 2008 Student Start Times

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Start Time


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Before 08:3026 6 2.5% 33 6.4% 08:30 to 10:00 184 77.3% 424 82.2% 10.00 to 12.00 45 18.9% 49 9.5% After 12.00 3 1.3% 10 1.9% Total 238 100% 516 100%

4.18 Students were also asked about their finish times. In 2008, a large proportion of students (62%)

finish university between 16:00 and 18:00. The figure is 2006 was lower at 51.3%. The trend for students to stay longer in 2008 is reflected in the fact that 16.7% of students finish university after 18:00, compared to just 12.6% in 2006. The results are shown in Table 4.10 below.

Table 4.10 – 2006 & 2008 Student Finish Times

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Finish Time


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Before 12:00 2 0.8% 0 0.0% 12:00 to 14:00 7 2.9% 15 3.2% 14:00 to 16:00 77 32.4% 86 18.1% 16:00 to 18:00 122 51.3% 294 62.0% After 18:00 30 12.6% 79 16.7% Total 238 100.0% 474 100.0%

Profile of Respondents 4.19 Students were asked about their studies, gender, age and any disability that might affect their

travel arrangements.

Part-time and full-time students

4.20 In 2008 and 2006, most respondents are full-time students, with only 46 part-time students (5.3%) returning a completed survey form, as shown in Table 4.11 below.

Table 4.11 – 2006 & 2008 Students’ Study Regime

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Study Regime


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Part Time 226 95% 815 94.7% Full Time 12 5% 46 5.3% Total 238 100% 861 100%

Faculty

4.21 In 2008, 47.4% of respondents attend Humanities and Social Sciences, compared to 45.4% in 2006. In 2008, 19.9% of respondents work in Medical Sciences compared to 10.9% in 2006. There has been a decrease in the percentage of students attending Science, Agriculture and Engineering. The results are shown in Table 4.12 below.

26 Before 08:00 in 2006



Table 4.12 – 2006 & 2008 Student Faculties

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Faculty


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Humanities and Social Sciences 108 45.4% 408 47.4%

Medical Sciences 26 10.9% 171 19.9% Science, Agriculture and Engineering 104 43.7% 282 32.8%

Total 238 100% 861 100%

Age and Gender

4.22 Similar to the 2006 survey, in 2008 the majority of respondents are female (56.9%). In terms of age group, 78.1% of respondents in 2008 are 25 or under. The results are shown in Table 4.12 below.

Table 4.13 – 2006 & 2008 Student Age Groups

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Age Group


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Under 25 192 80.7% 667 78.1% 25 to 34 38 16.0% 138 16.2% 35 to 44 8 3.4% 39 4.6% 45 to 54 0 0% 6 0.7% 55 and over 0 0% 4 0.5% Total 238 100 % 854 100%

Disability

4.23 In 2008, 1.1% of respondents (9 students) said that they have a disability which affects the way they travel to the University. In 2006, 5 students said they had a disability which affects the way they travel to work, although the overall survey sample was smaller.



Car Drivers 4.24 This section examines travel patterns of respondents who usually drive their car to work in more

detail as they form the main target group for the Travel Plan measures and initiatives.

Occasional Mode of Transport 4.25 Students were asked if they sometimes use another mode of transport to get to the University. 17

students who usually drive to campus answered positively. 58.1% of respondents (46 students) occasionally use public transport to travel to the university. 2 students get a lift to the university, 7 cycle and 11 walk. The results are shown in Table 4.14 below.

Table 4.14 – 2008 Students’ Occasional Mode of Transport

Mode of Transport Number of Respondents % of Respondents

Car passenger 2 2.5% Motorbike 0 0.0% Train 9 11.3% Bus 20 25% Metro 17 21.3% Public Transport Users 46 58.1% Cycle 7 8.8% Walk 11 13.8% None 14 17.5% Other 0 0.0% Total 80 100%

Journey to the University

4.26 The table and chart below show that students who driver their car to work travel much further than all respondents, with 70% of car drivers travelling more than 10 miles (compared to 20.3% of all respondents). However, there are 21 students (30% of respondents) that travel less than 5 miles to the campus by car. The results are shown in Table 4.15 below and Figure 4.5 overleaf.

Table 4.15 – 2008 Student Car Drivers Commuting Distance

Car Drivers All Respondents Distance Travelled

Number of Respondents % of Respondents % of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 1 1.4% 27.7% 1 to 5 miles 20 28.6% 52% 6 to 10 miles 11 15.7% 8.2% 11 to 20 miles 17 24.3% 7% Over 20 miles 21 30% 5.1% Total 70 100% 100%



Figure 4.5 – 2008 Student Car Drivers and All Students – Percentage of Respondents

Up to 1 mile 1 to 5 miles 5 to 10 miles 10 to 20 miles Over 20 miles

2008 - Car Drivers2008 - All Respondents

Parking 4.27 Students who usually drive to the University were asked about their parking habits. In 2008, the

majority of students (72.6%) use pay and display parking facilities, higher than the 63.6% in 2006. Additionally, the proportion of respondents parking on campus with a permit had fallen from 18.2% in 2006 to just 2.7% in 2008. The results are shown in Table 4.16 below.

Table 4.16 – 2006 & 2008 Student Car Drivers Parking Location

2006 Survey 2008 Survey Parking Location


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

On Campus with permit 4 18.2% 2 2.7% On Campus without permit 0 0.0% 0 0.0% Pay and Display near the Uni. 7 31.8% 24 32.9% Pay and Display in the area 7 31.8% 29 39.7% Free parking in the area 3 13.6% 8 11.0% Other 1 4.5% 10 13.7% Total 22 100% 73 100%

Car for Studies 4.28 In 2008, 72.5% of all respondents said they never need a car for their studies, compared to just

40% for car drivers. Amongst car drivers, 32.9.3% of respondents said that they use their car at least once a week for their studies. Table 4.17 below and Figure 4.6 overleaf show the results.

Table 4.17 – 2008 Student Car Drivers & All Respondents Parking Location

2008 Survey Car Divers 2008 Survey All Respondents Frequency


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Yes, at least once a week 23 32.9% 72 8.4% Yes, rarely 19 27.1% 165 19.2% No 28 40% 624 72.5% Total 70 100% 861 100%



Figure 4.6 – 2008 Student Car Drivers and All Students – Percentage of Respondents

At least once a week Rarely Never

2008 Car Drivers

2008 All Respondents

Public Transport Users Public Transport User Postcodes

4.29 In 2008, 29.3% of respondents said they use public transport to get to the university. A large proportion of students travel by public transport from areas including Jesmond, Gosforth and Byker. Table 4.18 shows the results in more detail.

Table 4.18 – 2006 & 2008 Student PT Users Postcode Areas


Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE2 (Jesmond) 14 20.6% NE2 (Jesmond) 45 21.6% NE6 (Byker) 13 19.1% NE3 (Gosforth) 36 17.3% NE4 (General Hospital) 7 10.3% NE6 (Byker) 36 17.3% NE7 (Heaton) 5 7.4% NE4 (General Hospital) 28 13.5% NE3 (Gosforth) 3 4.4% NE7 (Heaton) 21 10.1% NE5 (Denton Park) 3 4.4% NE1 (City Centre) 12 5.8% NE8 (Gateshead) 3 4.4% NE8 (Gateshead) 9 4.3%

Distance Travelled 4.30 Generally, students that travel to the university by public transport travel further than all

respondents (due to the fact that over 50.8% of students stated that they walk to the university in the 2008 travel survey). However, a majority (56.5%) of students who travel by public transport do live within 5 miles of the campus. Detailed results are shown in Table 4.19 overleaf.



Table 4.19 – 2008 Student PT Users & All Respondents Distance Travelled

2008 Survey PT Users 2008 Survey All Respondents Distance Travelled


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 10 3.9% 233 27.7% 1 to 5 miles 144 56.5% 437 52.0% 6 to 10 miles 43 16.9% 69 8.2% 11 to 20 miles 38 14.9% 59 7.0% Over 20 miles 20 7.8% 43 5.1% Total 255 100% 841 100%

Pedestrians and Cyclists Origins and the Journey to Work

4.31 In 2008, the 64.1% respondents who usually cycle or walk to the University travel from the area of Jesmond, consistent with the results from 2006. As expected, there has been little change in the areas where students cycle and walk from. Table 4.20 below shows the results in more detail.

Table 4.20 – 2006 & 2008 Student Pedestrian & Cycle User Postcode Areas


Postcode Area Number % Postcode Area Number % NE2 (Jesmond) 68 60.2% NE2 (Jesmond) 300 64.1NE6 (Byker) 17 15% NE1 (City Centre) 55 11.8NE4 (General Hospital) 15 13.3% NE6 (Byker) 46 9.8NE1 (City Centre) 9 8% NE4 (General Hospital) 43 9.2NE3 (Gosforth) 3 2.7% NE3 (Gosforth) 9 1.9

Distance Travelled 4.32 90.5% of respondents who arrive at the university on foot or by cycle travel less than five miles,

compared to 79.7% for all respondents. Just 3% of of respondents who arrive by cycle or on foot travel a distance greater than 10 miles. Detailed results are shown in Table 4.21 below.

Table 4.21 – 2008 Student PT Users & All Respondents Distance Travelled

2008 Survey Pedestrian & Cycle Users

2008 Survey All Respondents Distance Travelled


% of Respondents


% of Respondents

Less than 1 mile 46 19.8% 233 27.7% 1 to 5 miles 164 70.7% 437 52.0% 6 to 10 miles 15 6.5% 69 8.2% 11 to 20 miles 4 1.7% 59 7.0% Over 20 miles 3 1.3% 43 5.1% Total 232 100% 841 100%

Cycle parking 4.33 Cyclists were asked about which cycle parking facilities they generally use. The most popular

cycle parking facilities were Robinson Library (19.4%), Medical School (10.4%), Sports Centre (7.4%) and Stephenson Building (7.4%). It was also interesting to note that 7.4% of respondents said that they do not use designated cycle parking facilities. The results are shown in Table 4.22 overleaf.



Table 4.22 – 2008 Student Cycle Parking Locations

Mode of Transport Number of Respondents % of Respondents

None - you just use railings or anything you can lock your bike to 23 7.4%

Robinson Library 60 19.4% Cassie Building 3 1.0% Stephenson Building 23 7.4% Merz Court 34 11.0% Percy Building 3 1.0% Ridley Building 10 3.2% Medical School 32 10.4% Sports Centre 23 7.4% Paul O'Gorman Building 0 0.0% Claremont Tower and Bridge 20 6.5% Fine Art Building 13 4.2% King's Walk 15 4.9% Herschel Building 16 5.2% Agriculture Building 18 5.8% Other - Please specify below 16 5.2% Total 309 100%

4.34 Cyclists were also asked if they felt more cycle parking is required on campus. 55.9% of cyclists said they felt that more cycle parking is required. In terms of where these facilities should be located, the following areas of the campus were identified as:

• Robinson Library;

• Student Union;

• Medical School;

• Architecture Building and

• Armstrong Building

4.35 In addition to the above, cyclists also stated that they would like to see more sheltered cycle parking areas, covered by CCTV and better signposted cycle routes. There was a general consensus that more cycle parking is required across the campus.



5. Travel Plan Objectives and Targets 5.1 This document updates the 2006 Travel Plan produced and implemented by Newcastle University

over the past two years. The Travel Plan objectives described below remain the same as in 2006, although the Travel Plan targets have been modified to take into account the decrease in car use already achieved amongst staff as well as the less reliable results from the student survey.

Travel Plan Objectives 5.2 As one of the UK’s leading universities, Newcastle University understands and recognises the

importance and potential impact of reducing reliance on the car travel to places of work and study. The university is also aware that one of the largest transportation challenges facing Newcastle upon Tyne and its surrounding areas continues to be reducing road traffic and congestion, a result of increased car use. The university can make a significant contribution to the above by reducing the number of car users travelling to and from the university on a daily basis.

5.3 Additionally, the University has a firm commitment to bring together land use and transport planning through its Masterplan. This will include management of travel demand and promotion of the use of more sustainable modes of transport such as public transport, walking and cycling.

5.4 The objectives of the University Travel Plan include:

• reduce car traffic to the University and contribute to the reduction of congestion around the campus;

• encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport by staff and students;

• ensure, in consultation with and with co-operation from local transport providers and Newcastle City Council, that the University is easily accessible for students, staff and visitors using all modes of transport;

• reduce the impact of necessary traffic on the local environment;

• protect the environment through reduction of harmful emissions and waste and contribute to the improvement of local air quality;

• improve quality of life for people on and around the campus;

• work in partnership with Newcastle City Council, local residents, transport providers and other local organisations to ensure a coordinated approach to sustainable travel;

• promote healthier and more active lifestyle for staff and students; and

• improve road safety on and around the campus.



Travel Plan Targets 5.5 To achieve the above objectives, the updated Newcastle University Travel Plan sets revised

targets, taking into account the results from the 2008 staff and student travel surveys, as well as the targets set for 2008 and 2011 by the 2006 Travel Plan. This section reviews the University‘s performance over the last two years, before introducing revised modal split targets for staff and students.

2006-2008 Performance 5.6 The 2006 Travel Plan has been implemented over the last two years and the 2008 staff and

student travel surveys shows the evolution of staff and student travel patterns over the period. Both the Staff and Student survey analysis show great results, with a marked decrease in car use.

Table 5.1 – 2006 Staff Model Split Targets and Performance

Percentage of Respondents

2006 Travel Plan Targets Mode of Transport Staff Survey

Results (2006) 2008 Targets 2011 Targets Staff Survey

Results (2008)

Car Driver 35.3% 33% 29% 25.3% Car Passenger 5.9% 6.5% 7% 8.7% Car Use 41.2% 39.5% 36% 34% Motorcycle 0.5% 0.5% 0.5% 0.7% Public Transport 40.4% 42% 44% 46.6% Cycle 6.2% 7% 7.5% 9.1% Walk 10.6% 11% 12% 9.6% Other 1.2% 0% 0% 0% Total 100.1% 100% 100% 100%

5.7 Table 5.1 above shows a strong decrease in the level of car use to travel to and from the University by Newcastle staff. The target set for the reduction of car use by 2011 in the 2006 Travel Plan has already been achieved after only two years of implementation with only 34% of respondents using a car to get to the campus in 2008, of which 8.7% were sharing lifts.

5.8 The target set for the increase in public transport use by 2011 has also been met, with 46.6% of staff using public transport to get to work.

5.9 The target for increased walking set for 2008 was not met, but this has been offset by a higher than forecast increase in cycling. 9.1% of 2008 respondents cycle to work, already higher than the 2011 target set in the 2006 Travel Plan.

Table 5.2 – 2006 Student Model Split Targets and Performance

Percentage of Respondents

2006 Travel Plan Targets Mode of Transport Student Survey

Results (2006)27 2008 Targets 2011 Targets Student Survey Results (2008)

Car Driver 20% 17.5% 15% 5.7% Car Passenger 2% 2.3% 2.5% 2% Car Use 22% 19.8% 17.5% 7.7% Motorcycle 0.5% 0.7% 1% 0.2% Public Transport 34% 35% 36% 29.3% Cycle 5% 5.5% 6% 10.4% Walk 38.5% 39% 39.5% 50.8% Other 0% 0% 0% 1.6% Total 100% 100% 100% 100%

27 As the students survey results were not deemed reliable due to the low response rate, the baseline data for 2005 was modified using the TRICS database and data from Northumbria University.



5.10 As explained above, student travel survey results need to be interpreted carefully as only a relatively small sample of students answered the questionnaire in 2008.

5.11 Table 5.2 below shows a large decrease in the level of car use to travel to and from the University by Newcastle students. The target set for the reduction of car use by 2011 in the 2006 Travel Plan has already been achieved after only two years of implementation with only 7.7% of respondents using a car to get to the campus in 2008, of which 2% were sharing lifts.

5.12 The target set for the increase walking by 2011 has also been met, with 50.8% of students now walking to the university.

5.13 The target for increased use of public transport set for 2008 was not met, but this has been offset by a higher than forecast increase in cycling. 10.1% of 2008 respondents cycle to the university, already higher than the 2011 target set in the 2006 Travel Plan.

5.14 Following the analysis of the 2008 staff and student survey results and their comparison with the targets set for 2008 and 2011 in the 2006 Travel Plan, the following section sets revised Travel Plan targets for the period 2008-2011.

Revised Staff Modal Split Targets 5.15 Taking into account the current modal split for University staff, the 2006 baseline and how travel

patterns have changed during the last two years, Table 5.3 below introduces revised staff modal split targets for 2011.

Table 5.3 – Revised Staff Model Split Targets

Percentage of Respondents Mode of

Transport Staff Survey Results (2004)

Staff Survey Results (2006)

Staff Survey Results (2008)

Revised 2011 Targets

Car Driver 40.4% 35.3% 25.3% 20% Car Passenger 5.6% 5.9% 8.7% 9% Car Use 46% 41.2% 34% 29% Motorcycle 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1% Public Transport 38.2% 40.4% 46.6% 49% Cycle 5.3% 6.2% 9.1% 11% Walk 9.7% 10.6% 9.6% 10.5% Other 0.3% 1.2% 0% 0% Total 99.8% 100.1% 100% 100%

By 2011, the University aims to reduce the proportion of staff driving or being driven to work to 29%. This represents a 175 percentage point reduction in car use within 5 years. This will mostly be achieved through increased use of public transport and cycling, as survey results show that these modes of transport have the greatest potential to achieve mode shift for Newcastle.

Revised Student Modal Split Targets 5.16 Taking into account the current modal split for University students, the 2006 baseline and how

travel patterns have changed during the last two years, Table 5.4 overleaf introduces revised student modal split targets for 2011.



Table 5.4 – Revised Student Model Split Targets

Percentage of Respondents Mode of

Transport Actual Student Survey Results

(2006)

Corrected Student Survey Results (2006)

Student Survey Results (2008)

Revised 2011 Targets

Car Driver 9.2% 20% 5.7% 3.5% Car Passenger 1.7% 2% 2% 1.5% Car Use 10.9% 22% 7.7% 5% Motorcycle 0% 0.5% 0.2% 0.5% Public Transport 34% 34% 29.3% 31% Cycle 5.9% 5% 10.4% 11.5% Walk 48.7% 38.5% 50.8% 52% Other 0.4% 0% 1.6% 0% Total 99.9% 100% 100% 100%

By 2011, the University aims to reduce the proportion of students driving to the university to 5%, including 1.5% of students car sharing. At the same time, it will work to increase the number of students walking, cycling and using public transport to get to the campus.

5.17 The targets to reduce car use for staff and students are challenging but achievable. Over the last 2 years, the University has been extremely successful in reducing the proportion of staff and students travelling by to the university by car and it is important to continue this positive momentum. The revised Travel Plan targets will also encourage the use of public transport. In particular, there will be a focus on increasing the amount of staff and students who travel on foot or cycle.



6. Travel Plan Measures 6.1 In 2006, Newcastle University developed a sustainable Travel Plan to assist with the

implementation and monitoring of sustainable transport initiatives. This Travel Plan update reviews the initiatives and measures set out in 2006, shows how they have been implemented and introduces a revised Travel Plan action plan for the 2008-2011 period.

Summary of Travel Plan implementation up to 2008 6.2 Table 5.1 below presents an update of the 2006 Travel Plan Action Plan table showing:

• Travel Plan measures set out in 2006;

• Their characteristics;

• Their timescales; and

• Summary of progress on implementation up to 2008/09 for each measure.

6.3 The implementation summary shows that the majority of actions included in the 2006 Travel Plan have been implemented.

6.4 Out of the list of 24 actions, 14 have been fully implemented (shown as ☺ in Table 6.1 below)

and 10 partially implemented (shown as in Table 6.1 below).

6.5 In terms of the 2006-2008 Travel Plan implementation, key achievements have included:

• Additional cycle parking, meeting the targets set in the 2006 travel plan;

• Improved cycle facilities including lockers and storage;

• Improved car parking management, including a new flexible ‘pay and display’ car parking system and a reduction in the number of parking spaces;

• Improved partnership working with public transport operators through the Tyneside Travel Partnership (TTP);

• Cycle to Work Scheme now established and proving extremely popular;

• Staff discounts now available through the Discounted Public Transport Scheme, with the number of staff on the scheme increasing; and

• Promotion of public transport, walking and cycling through the Travel Plan Coordinator

6.6 Following the review of the 2006 Travel Plan action plan’s implementation, the following section presents the updated action plan for 2008-2011.



Table 6.1 – Travel Plan Action Plan Table Performance Summary

2006 Action Plan

N Measure Summary Timescale 2008 Performance

1 Cycle Parking Facilities

Upgrade existing facilities, provide cycle lockers for staff and additional parking facilities for all where lacking on campus

Cycle parking upgrade programme to be rolled out between 2005 & 2011 Provision for 815 cycles by 2011

☺Cycle parking targets have been achieved and cycle parking target for 2011 has been revised.

2 Showers and Changing Rooms

Upgrade programme and additional facilities

On-going ☺

Facilities have been improved and increased across the campus. This is an on going programme.

3 Motorcycle Parking Facilities

Introduce designated motorcycle parking facilities on campus

Designated motorcycle parking points for at least 116 motorcycles or mopeds by 2011

Motorcycle parking targets have not been achieved, but there is a current arrangement of motorcyclists parking with cyclists

4

Improving Pedestrian and Cycle Access to Campus

Improve access through Masterplan, new developments and cooperation with NCC

On-going and linked with development proposals

Some improvements made to cycle / pedestrian access on campus through the Masterplan but an on going process.

5

Improving Campus for Ageing and Vitality Facilities

Cycle and motorcycle parking facilities, showers

2015 (Site fully developed)

Please refer to Annex A – Campus for Ageing and Vitality

6 University Car Parking Policy

Regular increase in charges to manage demand, control and enforcement

Reduced car parking provision (Barras car park and King’s Road) Regular raises to car parking charges: on-going

☺

Large decrease in the number of parking spaces on campus. Staff to parking ratio increased from 5.1 to 2006 to 9.2 in 2008/09. New pay and display parking system successfully introduced. In 2005/06, 1362 permits issued and in 2007/08 this had reduced to 964.

7 Rationalising Car Parking Facilities

Investigate the possibility of gathering all car parking facilities in one or a few main sites, to create a more pedestrian friendly campus

Dependent on Masterplan implementation and planning process for University’s redevelopment programme

There is an on-going rationalisation of parking on campus, but still over 50 different parking locations on campus.

8 University Car Share Scheme

Car share database for staff, active promotion, reserved parking bays and guaranteed ride home scheme

Liftshare website to be launched in January 2007. Promotional events every 6 months (Autumn and Spring). Number of car share spaces held at 25.

Take up of the scheme has been slow as staff prefer to use the public transport facilities. Car Share promotional events to be arranged for Autumn 2009.

9 Discounted Public Transport Scheme

Discounted public transport passes for staff to buy through monthly salary deductions

On-going scheme and promotion, investigate extension to rail tickets by October 2006

☺

Scheme extremely popular. Number of staff on the scheme in 2005 was 565. By 2008 this had increased to 1083. Now extended to all transport operators including Northern Rail.

10 Public Transport Information & Incentives

Public transport information, site specific transport guides & marketing operation targeting car drivers

Public transport information on website and regular updates: on-going. A site specific travel leaflet was produced by Nexus for Newcastle University, Northumbria University and RVI, but nothing produced specifically for the university. Promotional events asking drivers to leave their cars at home have been undertaken on a regular basis.

Public transport information is readily available on the university website including details of discounted annual tickets, how to apply for the scheme etc, access to journey planners and advice on public transport as well as complimentary travel tickets for staff to try public transport before they commit to an annual ticket. Travel leaflets specific to Newcastle University still to be produced.



2006 Action Plan


11 Working in Partnership with PT Operators

Joint working with Newcastle City Council, Nexus and public transport operators

On-going, TP Coordinator to take part in Newcastle wide Travel Plan network activities.

☺

Good examples of working with PT operators (Cleaner Greener Travel Event). Newcastle University part of TTP.

12 Cycle to Work Scheme

Discounted cycles and equipment with interest free loan

Scheme to be in place by 2007 ☺

Scheme now in place and proving to be popular. The scheme is now open to staff all year round.

13 Cycling Information and Promotion

Cycle route map, bicycle user group and cycling events

Cycle route map available on campus and on website by September 2006 BUG: on-going, cycling events: yearly (June and Freshers’fair)

☺

Staff can more or less cycle anywhere on campus and therefore no cycle route map has been produced. However as the external campus changes one will be produced if required. Cycle maps for the local area around the University are available and advertised through the website. The BUG has been established and provides regular feedback. University will be involved in World Environment Day.

14 Encouraging Walking

Signage, walking maps, pedometers and promotional events

Signage: on-going and with redevelopment programme Walking maps and pedometers to be available by September 2006

☺Some Improved signage has been added on campus and there are walking maps available online. Pedometers have been given out at sustainability events.

15 Targeting New Relocating Staff

Induction pack with specific advice on travel and relocation

Public transport information and walking maps to be available by September 2006 Relocation advice sheet to be available and distributed to all new recruits by 2007

☺

Public transport information and walking maps now available. PT, walking and cycling information provided at welcome event and with appointment letter.

16 Travelling for Work

Business travel monitoring and target setting, investigate car club option

Business travel monitoring and targets to be established by 2007

No progress made on monitoring business mileage or setting targets.

17 University Vehicles

Develop University vehicle policy

Vehicle policy to be developed by 2008

Vehicle Policy still to be developed.

18 Phone / Teleconferencing

Video/phone conferencing facilities monitoring and promotion

Baseline data about levels of use to be gathered by 2007. First promotional campaign in 2007

Phone / teleconferencing facilities available at the university but no baseline data collected or promotional campaigns undertaken.

19 Flexible Working Flexible and home working available (where relevant)

Depending on HR progress

There is some flexibility in working hours given that academic staff may work from home if not teaching etc. No home working policy has been developed.

20 Travel Plan Coordinator

Travel Plan Coordinator appointed to develop and implement the plan

Appointed, on-going work ☺ Lynne Edis is currently the University Travel Plan Coordinator.

21 Environment and Sustainability Committee

Group set up and meeting regularly

Established, meeting at least quarterly ☺

The Environment and Sustainability Committee replaced the Transportation Strategy Group and continues to meet on a regular basis.

22 Travel Plan Resources

Funds and staff time allocated to Travel Plan development, implementation and monitoring

Funding and staff-time: on-going ☺

Funding for the Travel Plan has been provided from the University and will continue until at least 2011.

23 Travel Plan Promotion

Information and promotional

Travel Plan launch by September 2006 ☺

Sustainable Travel Events organised and the University is



2006 Action Plan


material, use of the internet, promotional events

a founding member of the TTP.

24 Travel Plan Monitoring and Review

Staff and students surveys, monitoring initiatives take-up, reviewing initiatives and targets, reporting on progress

Surveys in 2006, 2008 & 2010, yearly initiatives monitoring, yearly reviews and reporting

☺

Surveys undertaken in the agreed time frames and Travel Plan Update completed in early 2009. Regular Travel Plan Updates produced by the Travel Plan Coordinator.



2008 – 2011 Revised Travel Plan Action Plan 6.7 This section takes into account what has already been achieved through the University Travel

Plan over the last two years. It considers the 2008 staff and student travel survey results, the new Travel Plan targets and as a result introduces a revised action plan for 2008 – 2011.

6.8 The main themes are similar to those listed in the 2006 Travel Plan and are shown in Table 5.1 above. As in the 2006 Travel Plan, each measure listed below is summarised in a short table which illustrates:

• The targeted groups of staff and/or students;

• Its likely impact on the Travel Plan targets - ‘high’ means that the measure is necessary to reach the Travel Plan targets. A measure described as having a ‘low’ impact is still important as it is likely to be easier to put in place and could be useful to promote other initiatives;

• The level of difficulty for its implementation – ‘high’ means that the measure could be costly or that there is a high risk of strong opposition from staff, management or students;

• Who is responsible for implementing the initiative; and

• The timescale within which the measure should be implemented.

Developing Existing Facilities 6.9 Newcastle University already provides cycle parking facilities at many locations around campus.

The University will aim to increase the number of cycle spaces on offer, while introducing additional changing rooms, showers and motorcycle parking into buildings. The University will continue to take improve facilities through implementation of the Masterplan.

Measure 1 – Cycle Parking Facilities

6.10 In 2006, there were 612 cycle parking spaces provided on central campus. Many of the cycle stands in place were butterfly racks.

6.11 Since 2006, a total of 109 cycle parking spaces have been added at the Medical School. Additionally, 40 individual cycle lockers are now on campus, located in three different locations – Merz Court, Medical School and Cassie Building. These lockers are offered for hire on an annual basis and a cost of £50. These lockers are fully occupied and there is now a waiting list when new lockers become available. Looking at the numbers above, the university has surpassed the target of adding an additional 73 spaces by 2008. The additional cycle parking takes the total cycle parking provision on the main university campus to 721. In addition to the extra cycle parking spaces, the university has also implemented the following:

• All butterfly stands outside the Robinson Library replaced with Sheffield stands;

6.12 In addition to the above, the university is in the process of implementing a comprehensive cycle parking refurbishment programme. This will include a move towards larger communal secure storage areas and will include a systematic upgrade of all old cycle parking areas, removing the butterfly racks and replacing them with Sheffield stands. It is expected that new secure parking will shortly be installed at Merz Court. In addition, new facilities could be located in the following locations:

• Cassie Building: Side of building where existing lockers are located – add a further 4 lockers and remove some of the Sheffield racks as these are underused;

• Old Library Building: Remove old butterfly racks attached to brickwork at front entrance and replace with Sheffield stands;

• Percy Quad: Additional stands along where the old trellis is against the wall;

• Bedson Quad: Revamp old storage unit to include new cycle stands and possibly extend to create larger unit;

• Herschel: Remove old butterfly racks and provide additional Sheffield stands;



• Herschel: Side of Herschel where cobbles are to be removed and storage installed:

• King George VI: Remove butterfly racks from current storage area – clear out and add new Sheffield racks; and

• Agriculture: Lockers outside the front of the building to left hand side

6.13 Where possible, the University will continue to cover its cycle parking facilities, ensuring that they remain under CCTV coverage or overlooked by adjacent buildings.

6.14 As discussed above, the university has already exceeded its 2008 target for cycle parking and is on course to meet the 2006 target of 815 spaces by 2011. However, additional cycle parking facilities will be needed, due to a higher than forecast increase in the proportion of staff and students cycling to the university, as shown in the 2008 survey results. The increase in the number of cyclists is reflected in the revised 2011 Travel Plan targets. This revised target for cycle parking is shown in Table 6.2 below.

Table 6.2 – Revised Cycle Parking Numbers

Facility 2006 Provision 2008 Target 2008

Provision 2011 Target

(Old) 2011 Target (Revised)

Cycle Parking 612 685 721 815 969

6.15 The Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to regularly review chosen locations for new cycle

parking facilities, ensuring that it corresponds to the needs of cyclists. These needs will be identified through the undertaking of cycle parking counts, the staff and student surveys and by liaising closely with the Bicycle User Group (BUG).

Measure 1. Cycle Parking Facilities

Summary Upgrade existing facilities, provide cycle lockers for staff and additional parking facilities for all where lacking on campus

Target Groups Car Drivers and Cyclists, Students, Staff and Visitors

Impact High

Difficulty Medium (investment required)

Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, Estate Support Service

Timescale Cycle parking upgrade programme to being rolled out between 2005 and 2011. Originally, provision for 815 cycles by 2011. However, a large increase in cycling has meant a revised target of 969 spaces by 2011.

Measure 2 - Changing Rooms, Showers and Lockers

6.16 The University is in the process of implementing a programme to improve shower facilities and changing room provision on campus for staff. In 2006, shower facilities had already been installed at the following buildings:

• Park Terrace, ground floor (1 male and 1 female);

• Kensington Terrace, ground floor;

• Percy Building, basement (2 female and 1 male);

• Armstrong Building, Music corridor (female);

• Claremont Tower, 3rd floor (male);

• Claremont Tower, 5th floor (female); and

• Old Library Building, ground floor.



6.17 By early 2009, shower and changing room facilities were available at the following locations:

• Agriculture - Ground Floor (Female) and (Male)

• Armstrong - Ground Floor (Female)

• Catherine Cookson- Ground Floor (Unisex) and (Female)

• Claremont Tower - Floor 8 (Female) and Floor 3 (Male)

• Dayish - Floor 1 (Male)

• Devonshire - Floor 1,2,3,4, and 5 (Unisex)

• Drummond - Ground Floor

• Kensington Terrace - Ground Floor (Male)

• King George VI - Basement (Unisex)

• Merz Court - Floor 3 (Unisex)

• Old Library Building - Level 1 (Unisex)

• Park Terrace - Ground Floor and Floor 2 (Male)

• Percy Building - Basement (Ladies) and (Male)

• Politics - Ground Floor (Unisex)

• Robinson Library - Level 1 (Female) and (Male)

• William Leech- Floor 3 (Male) and (Female)

6.18 In terms of building with limited or no facilities, these include the following:

• Bedson Building;

• Architecture Building;

• Stephenson;

• Cassie;

• Daysh (no facilities for females)

• Armstrong (no facilities for males); and

• Claremont Tower (facilities already in place but more required)

6.19 It is expected that the upgrade of shower and changing facilities will continue across the campus. In July 2009, new shower facilities will be installed in 5 priority areas on campus. New facilities will, as a matter of course, be provided in the developments currently underway or planned in the future. Increasing the number of shower and changing facilities will be important for the increasing number of staff and students cycling to the university.

Measure 2. Changing Rooms, Showers and Lockers

Summary Upgrade programme and additional facilities

Target Groups Car Drivers and Cyclists, Staff

Impact Medium

Difficulty Medium (Requires some investment and space but relatively low cost)


Timescale Refurbishment programme which will include new shower and changing rooms where possible. New shower and changing room facilities should be incorporated into all new building developments on the campus. On-going.



Measure 3 – Motorcycle Parking

6.20 In 2006, no designated motorcycle / moped / scooter parking bays were located on the university campus. The 2006 Travel Plan set a target of 80 spaces to be provided by 2008 and 116 spaces to be provided by 2011, which would accommodate the requirements of both staff and students.

6.21 Presently, motorcyclists are parking in the same locations as cyclists, an arrangement which appears to be working. No designated motorcycle parking facilities have been provided since 2006.

6.22 Reflecting the 2008 survey results and the present parking arrangements, where cyclists and motorcyclists share parking spaces, the total number of motorcycle spaces required by 2011 has been revised down from 116 to 80. Despite the current arrangements, it is important that the requirements for motorcycle parking are monitored closely, ensuring there is no future conflict with staff and students that may choose to cycle to the university in the future. The revised targets for motorcycle parking are shown in Table 6.3 below.

Table 6.3 – Revised Motorcycle Parking Numbers

Facility 2006 Provision 2008 Target 2008

Provision 2011 Target

(Old) 2011 Target (Revised)

Motorcycle Parking 0 80 0 116 42

Measure 3. Motorcycle Parking Facilities

Summary Introduce designated motorcycle parking facilities on campus

Target Groups Car Drivers, Motorcycle and Moped Users, Staff, Students and Visitors

Impact Medium (only a limited amount of direct users but also impact on other users as motorcycles would have their own parking facilities)

Difficulty Medium (needs some investment and room but relatively low cost)


Timescale Designated motorcycle parking points for at least 42 motorcycles or mopeds by 2011. This is a reduced target because there is currently an informal arrangement at the university where motorcyclists park in the same spaces as cyclists.

Measure 4 - Improved Pedestrian and Cycle Access

6.23 Newcastle University has adopted a Masterplan and associated landscape strategy for its main campus. The Plan aims to improve the working and studying environment by creating a more integrated campus while improving access and pedestrian flows.

6.24 The University is in the process of improving pedestrian and cycle access across the campus through the implementation of the Masterplan. Opportunities arising from new developments and refurbishment programmes are being used to improve pedestrian and cycle access to the site as well as flows through the campus. Some of the work to open out the campus and improve disabled access has already been completed, with the landscaping of the existing Claremont and Percy Quadrangles.

6.25 The University’s Travel Plan Coordinator has also continued to liaise with Newcastle City Council (NCC) to ensure that pedestrian and cycle access to the campus from the city centre is improved. The current developments at Haymarket Metro station are still unfinished but Space Syntax have already made some suggestions in terms of the main route to Kings walk, although improvements are not imminent.



6.26 The University is also aiming to develop signposted pedestrian and cycle routes through campus to help visitors and new students and direct flows through the campus. Presently, there are few cycle routes on campus, although there is a signed route near the Robinson Library. In terms of the entries to the campus, the Lovers Lane access to the Ridley Building and Medical School is a cycling Prohibited Zone. There has been some conflict over the use of shared space on the campus, in particular where the space is limited.

6.27 Figure 6.1 overleaf shows the proposed pedestrian movement framework, as outlined in the university Masterplan.

Measure 4. Improved Pedestrian and Cycle Access

Summary Improve access through Masterplan, new developments and cooperation with NCC

Target Groups Car drivers, Public Transport Users, Cyclists and Pedestrians, Staff, Students and Visitors

Impact Medium (access already relatively good but could be improved)

Difficulty Medium (possible to use development opportunities but expensive)


Timescale Linked to Masterplan development proposals. On-going.

Figure 6.1 – University Masterplan Pedestrian Routes



Measure 5 – Campus for Ageing and Vitality Facilities

6.28 Please refer to Appendix E for an assessment of the facilities at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality.

Measure 5. Campus for Ageing and Vitality Facilities

Summary Cycle and Motorcycle Parking Facilities, Showers

Target Groups Staff and Students

Impact High

Difficulty Medium (some funds needed but part of the site development)


Timescale 2015 (Campus fully developed)

Managing the Demand for Parking Facilities 6.29 The University recognised that the success of the Travel Plan would depend upon the strict

management of its car parking facilities. A strict car parking policy acts as a deterrent for staff and students, who then consider alternative modes to travel to the university. This section shows how Newcastle University managed its car parking facilities and how the policy has evolved as the Masterplan is implemented. It also provides details on the University’s car sharing scheme.

Parking Strategy

Measure 6 - University Car Parking Policy

Parking Numbers

6.30 The 2006 Car Parking Policy applied to all University premises, except halls of residence which were responsible for their own car parking policy. The policy addressed the need for rationalisation of parking on campus, set the parking permit system and encouraged staff and students to use alternative modes of transport as access to the campus by car was restricted.

6.31 In 2006 there were approximately 899 designated parking marked spaces on the main campus. 23 spaces were reserved for visitors and 19 spaces reserved for disabled parking. The University employed 4,514 staff in 2006, which meant that the staff / car parking ratio was approximately of 5.128 employees for one parking space on campus.

6.32 The university is currently developing the Student and Administrative Services Building on the site of the old Barras Car Park. Additional parking has now been removed from King’s Road. This means that parking provision on has been significantly reduced since 2006.

6.33 At present, the total number of parking spaces available to staff on the main campus site is 559, a reduction of 340 spaces. 25 of these spaces are marked for visitors and 20 spaces are reserved for disabled parking. The university presently employs a total of 4,899 staff, which means that the current staff / car park ratio is approximately 9.1 spaces per member of staff.

6.34 The main car parking facilities are located at the Herschel Building, Refectory Building, Park Terrace and Kings Road.

6.35 The University will continue to rationalise parking arrangements on the main campus which will support the implementation of the Masterplan. For the campus to become more pedestrian and cycle friendly, the majority of on street car parking around the campus will continue to be progressively removed.

28 Based on a total of 876 parking spaces available for staff to use



6.36 Taking into consideration the reduction in staff driving to the university, as shown in the 2008 staff travel survey results and the number of parking spaces already removed from campus, Table 6.4 sets a target for a further car parking space reduction by 2011.

Table 6.4 – Campus Wide Car Parking Spaces

Facility 2006 Provision 2009 Provision 2011 Target

Car Parking 899 559 500 6.37

Parking Policy - New Permit System and Contractors Parking Policy

New Permit System

6.38 Before April 2008, the university operated an annual permit system, where staff purchased a fixed permit for the year, allowing a limited amount of parking flexibility. In 2005/06, 1,362 parking permits were issued.

6.39 Presently, staff are still required to display a valid university parking permit. However, in April 2008, a new ‘Pay and Display’ parking system for standard permit holders was established, allowing more flexible parking options for staff. Staff pay for parking only when they use it as opposed to the previous system of being tied to an annual permit. The new system allows staff to consider alternative modes of transport on alternate days of the week, but does not exclude use of their car if required. In 2007/08, 964 parking permits were issued to staff, a reduction of 398 on the period 2005/06.

6.40 Any member of staff is entitled to apply for a car parking permit at a cost of £50.00 per year. This authorises access onto the site to seek a space and then staff have to pay a relevant daily fee. The daily fees are £3.00 for 8 hours (full day) and £1.50 for 4 hours (half day). There is no charge for parking after 4pm. Payment is made via pay and display machines which are located across the campus.

6.41 At the time of producing this Travel Plan Update, the new university permit system was still to be ratified by the University Executive Board, although this is expected to occur in summer 2009.

Contractor Parking Policy

6.42 A new system has been out in place from 1st October 2008 to control the amount of contractor vehicles on site. Given the overall reduction in the total number of parking spaces available on campus, the university is keen to maximise the amount available to staff. The new system includes assessment of the contractor’s needs to have access to their vehicle on site and they are then charged a daily rate of £6.00 should it be deemed necessary for the vehicle to be on campus. A copy of the contractor parking policy can be found in Appendix A.

Measure 6. University Car Parking Policy Summary Regular increase in charges to manage demand, control and enforcement Target groups Car Drivers, Mostly staff Impact High Difficulty High (controversial measures with staff) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, Estate Support Service, Security Team Timescale Reduced car parking provision (Barras car park and King’s Road)

Change to car parking system. On-going.

Measure 7 – Rationalising Parking Facilities

6.43 When published, the University’s Masterplan identified existing on-street car parking on the campus as having a “disproportionately large effect on the setting of some of the key buildings”.

6.44 As the Masterplan aims to deliver a more attractive environment for those walking and cycling on campus, it was considered that parking facilities could be consolidated into one or a few main areas. The Masterplan identifies the construction of a multi-storey car park as one of the possible options to achieve this objective.



6.45 To date, the university has not constructed a multi-story car park on campus and there have been no further developments regarding this development. However, the University has been removing some on-street parking on campus. Additionally, the Barras Car Park has been removed and overall parking capacity on the campus been reduced by over 30%, from 899 spaces in 2006 to 559 spaces in February 2009. The University will continue to consider options for consolidating car parking in a reduced number of areas, removing cars from main internal streets and building entrances.

Measure 7. Rationalising Parking Facilities Summary Investigate the possibility of gathering all car parking facilities in one or a

few main sites, to create a more pedestrian friendly campus Target groups Car drivers and all other users through improved environment, Staff,

Students and Visitors Impact High Difficulty High (controversial issues with staff, need to meet operational needs, cost

and planning consent for multi-storey) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, Estate Support Service Timescale Dependent on Masterplan implementation and planning process for

University’s redevelopment programme. On-going.

Measure 8 – Car Share Scheme

6.46 The 2006 Travel Plan aimed to develop a car share scheme to achieve the target of 6.5% of staff car sharing by 2008 and 7% car sharing by 2011. In 2006, 5.4% of staff were sharing a car to work with colleagues or getting a lift to work. The 2008 travel survey shows that 8.7% of staff are now sharing lifts to work / getting a lift, which already exceeds the original 2011 target by 1.7 percentage points.

6.47 As outlined in the 2006 Travel Plan, the University has developed a car share scheme aimed at staff. The scheme identifies employees who currently drive to work, live in the same area and have similar working hours and encourages them to share the drive to and from work.

6.48 The scheme is operated through the web based Liftshare system. The Liftshare web page can be accessed via the university website at www.ncl.ac.uk/estates/services/travel/carparking/carshare.

6.49 Presently, the University has 25 designated parking bays at Richardson Road, of which 13 are currently occupied. Take up of the scheme has been slow as staff prefer to use existing public transport facilities. The University does not offer any incentive to encourage staff to car share at present, apart from the fact that car share groups can share a car parking permit. However, if the scheme did become more popular, then there would be the possibility of increasing car share parking provision.

6.50 The University will continue to take an active role in promoting its car share scheme. The Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to identify potential car share groups using staff home postcodes collected in the travel plan survey and these people will be invited to promotional car share events in the 2009 Autumn term. The Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to assist staff that wish to sign up for the Liftshare service. However, at least in the short term, the number of car share spaces available at the university will remain at 25.

Table 6.5 – Car Share Parking Spaces

Facility 2006 Provision 2008/09 Provision 2011 Target

Car Parking 0 25 25

Measure 8. Car Share Scheme Summary Car share database for staff, active promotion, reserved parking bays and

guaranteed ride home scheme Target groups Car drivers and car sharers, Staff Impact Medium



Measure 8. Car Share Scheme Difficulty Medium (cheap scheme but risk of tensions related to car parking

management issues, need for strict enforcement) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, Facilities, Security Team Timescale Liftshare website launched in January 2007. Promotional events every 6

months (Autumn and Spring). Number of car share spaces on campus to be held at 25.

Encouraging Sustainable Travel 6.51 As better facilities and a strict parking management system are set up, the University aimed to

help and provide incentives for staff and students to use public transport, cycle and walk to the campus.

Promoting Public Transport

6.52 Better information and discounted tickets are often key to promoting the use of public transport. The University now provides discounted public transport season tickets to employees and the Travel Plan Coordinator ensures that public transport information is available for staff and students.

Measure 9 - Discounted Public Transport Scheme

6.53 The University already implemented a discounted public transport pass scheme which allows all employees to purchase a season ticket at a discounted rate and through an interest free loan scheme. The scheme was originally restricted to Metrosaver tickets but has now been expanded to cover all transport operators. As shown in the table below, Metrosaver, Network, Arriva, Stagecoach, Go North East and Northern Rail tickets are available for employees to purchase through the scheme. The cost of tickets purchased through the scheme is recovered by the University monthly by direct salary deductions.

6.54 In 2005, 565 employees were taking advantage of the scheme. By 2008, the number of staff using the scheme had increased to 1083. A breakdown of the number of staff on the scheme is shown in Table 6.6 below and Table 6.7 shows the rates and discounts available to staff by joining the scheme.

Table 6.6 – Number of Staff in the University Corporate Travel Scheme

Bus Operator Number of Staff

Metrosaver 596

Network 216

Arriva 84

Stagecoach 70

Go North East 82

Northern Rail 35

Total 1083

Table 6.7 – University Public Transport Discounts 2008/09

Ticket Type Validity Commercial Rate

University Rate

Discount

Metrosaver All Zones 12 months £450.00 £420.00 £30.00

Networksaver Ticket

2 zones 12 months £579.00 £521.10 £57.90



Ticket Type Validity Commercial Rate

University Rate

Discount

3 zones 12 months £656.00 £590.40 £65.60

All zones 12 months £791.00 £711.90 £79.10

Go North East

One Zone 12 months £549.00 £494.10 £54.90

Two Zones 12 months £699.00 £629.10 £69.90

Three + Zones 12 months £849.00 £764.10 £84.90

Stagecoach North East

Megarider 12 months £495.00 £470.00 £25.00

Megarider Plus 12 months £576.00 £547.00 £29.00

Arriva Buses All Zones 12 months £1144.00 £902.50 £241.50

6.55 The scheme is regularly promoted to staff, with details included in staff induction packs. The possibility of extending the discounted annual tickets for rail travellers is to be discussed in 2009 with Northern Rail via the Travel Plan Coordinator.

Measure 9. Discounted Public Transport Scheme Summary Discounted public transport passes for staff to buy through monthly salary

deductions Target groups Car Drivers and Public Transport Users, Staff Impact High Difficulty Medium (scheme administration and potentially subsidised discounts) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, HR Timescale On-going scheme and promotion, investigate extension to rail tickets by

early 2009

Measure 10 – Public Transport Information & Incentives

6.56 The Travel Plan Update aims to continue to change staff and student travel behaviour by giving them the option of alternative modes.

6.57 The University uses information and incentives alongside the existing rewards (see “discounted public transport scheme” above) to encourage employees and students to shift away from the individual car towards public transport. The University has used public transport information from Nexus and public transport operators, making timetables and ticket information widely available in staff break out areas, information points and staff / student restaurants. The University’s internet page29 already offers travel information and links to various public transport pages and the Newcastle Journey Planner run by Nexus30. This information continues to be regularly updated on the University Estate Support Service website.

6.58 The University Travel Plan Co-ordinator is also planning on producing a Newcastle University site specific travel guide which will show how to get to central campus by sustainable modes of transport. The guide will be produced once further analysis of how people access the university, the signage on campus and website information. The site specific travel guides will be made available on the internet / intranet for download or printing. The guides will also be given to staff joining the University and distributed to students at Freshers’ fairs and similar events.

29 www.ncl.ac.uk/travel/info/ 30 www.nexus.org.uk/JOURNEY_PLANNER.HTM



6.59 Targeting staff that drive to work directly, the University has undertaken several promotional events over the last couple of years which have targeted motorists to leave their cars at home and use public transport or sustainable modes.

Measure 10. Public Transport Information & Incentives Summary Public transport information, site specific transport guides & marketing

operation targeting car drivers Target groups Car drivers, public transport users, Staff and students Impact High Difficulty Medium (budget for site specific guides, secure help from NCC, Nexus and

public transport operators) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Public transport information on website and regular updates. On-going.

Site specific travel leaflets to be produced by mid 2009. Promotional events targeting car drivers.

Measure 11 – Working in Partnership with Public Transport Operators

6.60 The University has been working with Newcastle City Council, Nexus and the major public transport operators. The University is one of the founding members of the Tyneside Travel Partnership (TTP). The objectives of the partnership include:

• Working with partnership members on collaborative projects to raise awareness – a joint promotional event with members of the TPP on sustainable travel ‘The Cleaner Greener Travel Event’ held in October 2007;

• Gathering information via surveys and data collection on modal shifts within the partnership organisations;

• Sharing good practice with regards to sustainable travel; and

• Collaborating with partnership members to enable joint working with key stakeholders to improve access to sustainable travel act and as a pressure group to bring about value for money on public transport

Measure 11. Working in Partnership with Public Transport Operators Summary Joint working with Newcastle City Council, Nexus and public transport

operators. Member of the Tyneside Travel Partnership Target groups Car Drivers, Public Transport Users, Staff and Students Impact Medium Difficulty Medium Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale On-going, TP Coordinator to continue to take part in Newcastle wide

Travel Plan network activities.



Encouraging cycling and walking 6.61 The University recognises the importance of a comprehensive package of walking and cycling

measures to increase the proportion of active journeys to and from the university campus.

6.62 In addition to extra secured cycle parking and lockers and improved access to showers and changing rooms, the University will also give staff access to a ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme (sometimes known as a Boost scheme) and encourage staff and students to cycle and walk to the campuses.

Measure 12 – Discounted Cycles and Equipment (Cycle to Work Scheme)

6.63 The ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ allows employees to purchase cycles and cycling equipment through an interest free loan facility which is exempt from income tax.

6.64 The ‘Cycle to Work Scheme’ was introduced in May 2007 as an incentive to encourage more staff to consider a modal shift to cycling from less sustainable forms of transport. Since that date all regular employees have had an opportunity to join the scheme in May/June 2007, September / October 2007 and May / June 2008.

6.65 During the time that the scheme has been opened, 177 employees registered online. The total order value reached £116,370, with the bikes alone costing £98,443. The average voucher per employee worked out at approximately £657.

6.66 Staff can save anywhere between 29.4% and 41% depending on their own personal circumstances.

6.67 In terms of the university, savings vary between 9.4% and 11% which again depends on the personal circumstances of the employee.

6.68 The scheme is now open all year round. The increase in staff cycling to work (up from 6.2% in 2006 to 9.1% in 2008) reflects the popularity of this scheme. It is expected that the number of cyclists joining the scheme will continue to increase.

Measure 12. Discounted Cycles and Equipment (Cycle to Work Scheme) Summary Discounted cycles and equipment with interest free loan Target groups Car drivers, cyclists, Staff Impact Medium Difficulty Medium (set-up, budget and scheme management) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, HR Timescale Scheme established in May 2007. On-going.

Measure 13 – Cycling Information and Promotion

6.69 The Newcastle City cycle route map is available on the University website. The University is still to produce a map which details cycle routes within the campus, although it is likely this will be produced in conjunction with the improvements to cycle and pedestrian routes (part of the Masterplan).

6.70 A Bicycle User Group (BUG) has also been formed at Newcastle University and has its own webpage on the University intranet system (see http://www.societies.ncl.ac.uk/bug/news.html). It is through consultation with the BUG that the need for cycle parking and facilities has been and continues to be identified. The last BUG Survey of Campus was undertaken in October 2008, in which the following areas were identified as potential locations for cycle parking:

• Area beneath the Fine Art Building;

• Rear of Merz / Percy Quad;

• Rear of Devonshire Building / Claremont Tower;

• Front of King George VI Building;

• Student Union Building; and

• Rear of Herschel Building



6.71 The Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to ensure that the group remains active and that it is consulted regularly on cycling issues and involved in promoting cycling to University staff and students.

6.72 The university has participated in sustainable travel events that encompass a wider audience and wider events such asWorld Environment Day and has also promoted sustainable travel at staff Welcome Events and staff Benefits Events.

Measure 13. Cycling Information and Promotion Summary Cycle route map, bicycle user group and cycling events Target groups Car drivers, Cyclists, Staff and students Impact Medium Difficulty Low (small budget for promotional material and events) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Campus Cycle route map made available on campus and on website by

late 2009. BUG: On-going. Sustainable travel events: On-going

Measure 14 – Encouraging Walking

6.73 The University is currently in the process of an extensive redevelopment programme, which aims to create a more pedestrian friendly environment. This, in turn, will encourage walking to and from the campus.

6.74 Improved signage has already been implemented to help staff, students and visitors choose the best walking routes through central campus. Signs give directions to main Newcastle interest points such as City Centre, Railway Station and Bus Station.

6.75 The University has also ensured that Newcastle walking maps produced by the Council are available to staff and students on campus. The walking map is available at the following link: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/estates/services/travel/Walkingtowork.htm

6.76 The Travel Plan Coordinator has also ensured that pedometers have been given out at sustainability events and discounted safety equipment is also available for purchase at the student union shop.

Measure 14. Encouraging Walking Summary Signage, walking maps, pedometers and promotional events Target groups Car drivers, pedestrians, Staff and Students Impact Medium Difficulty Low (small budget for promotional material and events) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, Facilities (signage) Timescale Signage: on-going and with redevelopment programme

Walking maps and pedometers made available by April 2007. Will continue to be updated.

Measure 15 – Targeting New Relocating Staff

6.77 The University has a high turnover of research and academic staff and many new recruits relocate to the Newcastle area when they start working for the University.

6.78 The Travel Plan Coordinator has worked with the HR Department, all new staff receive public transport, walking and cycling information, as well as a specific information sheet explaining the fact that parking on campus is limited. The information provided also contains advice on which areas in Newcastle are best served by public transport or cycle paths for people travelling to the University. The information is provided to them at both their welcome event and when they receive their official appointment letter.

Measure 15. Targeting New Relocating Staff Summary Induction pack with specific advice on travel and relocation Target groups New staff members



Measure 15. Targeting New Relocating Staff Impact Medium Difficulty Low Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator, HR Timescale Public transport information and walking maps made available in January

2007 and relocation advice sheet made available and distributed to all new recruits by mid 2007. On going.

Addressing Business Needs 6.79 The Travel Plan will continue to address travel patterns for University staff during the day,

considering staff travelling for work and University service vehicles.

Measure 16 – Travelling for Work

6.80 In 2008, 13.6% of respondents said that their car was essential for their work. Of those, 91% of respondents said that they use a car to travel to work. Similar to the 2006 and 2004 survey results, there is a close link between the need to use a car for work and the fact that staff will then decide to drive regularly to ensure they can travel for business during the day when they need to.

6.81 Although some car use during the day is necessary for the University, it is possible to monitor mileage claims and the use of public transport by staff and promote more sustainable modes of transport for business travel as well.

6.82 At present, the University does not monitor business travel, as each department is in charge of its own staff travel claims. In 2009, the Travel Plan Coordinator will investigate how business mileage can be monitored.

6.83 The University currently doesn’t own pool cars for staff to use whenever they need to travel for work. The Travel Plan Coordinator will however pursue discussions with the Council to establish a Newcastle wide car club from which the University would benefit by being able to use club vehicles during the day.

Measure 16. Travelling for Work Summary Business travel monitoring and target setting, investigate car club option Target groups Business travel, staff travelling for work Impact Medium Difficulty Medium - High Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Business travel monitoring and targets to be established by mid 2009

Measure 17 – University Vehicles

6.84 The University currently owns service vehicles to deliver materials around campuses, student residences and outlying sites (farms). The University also owns approx. 75 vehicles.

6.85 To ensure that the most efficient vehicles are procured, the University was aiming to develop a policy to encourage the purchase / lease of more fuel efficient, less polluting vehicles. To date, the university is still to develop a policy on low polluting vehicles as the vehicles are not purchased centrally and it is therefore the responsibility of individual departments.

Measure 17. University Vehicles Summary Develop University vehicle policy Target groups Business travel, staff travelling for work Impact Medium Difficulty Medium (using leasing agreement timescales) Responsibility Travel Plan coordinator – Estate Support Service Timescale Vehicle policy still to be developed.



Reducing the Need to Travel 6.86 The University will continue to encourage staff to reduce their need to travel by promoting the use

of phone / teleconference facilities, flexible and home working.

Measure 18 – Video / Phone Conferencing Facilities

6.87 The University currently offers a video conferencing room for staff to use (see http://www.ncl.ac.uk/iss/tvservices/videoconferencing.htm), although the facilities have not been actively promoted to staff as an alternative to business travel. The Travel Plan Coordinator will attempt to gather additional data and feedback on the use of these facilities, to promote their use more actively through the intranet and posters.

Measure 18. Video / Phone Conferencing Facilities Summary Video conferencing facility monitoring and promotion, investigate phone

conferencing Target groups Staff, especially those who travel for business Impact Medium Difficulty Medium (data might be difficult to gather as each department manages its

own system) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Baseline data about levels of use to be gathered by 2009

Measure 19 – Flexible / Home Working

6.88 Some University employees already benefit from flexible working practices . Some people are also employed as home workers (data inputting staff for example). The Human Resource Department is currently working to develop a University wide policy on flexible and home working practices.

Measure 19. Flexible / Home Working Summary Flexible and home working policy Target groups Staff Impact Medium Difficulty Medium Responsibility HR Department Timescale Depending on HR progress

Implementing the Travel Plan 6.89 For the Travel Plan to continue to achieve its objectives and targets, initiatives will need to be set

up, implemented and promoted. To set up and implement the Travel Plan initiatives, the University’s Travel Plan Coordinator will work with the Environment and Sustainability Committee, Newcastle City Council and other key organisations in the area.

Measure 20 – Travel Plan Coordinator

6.90 Lynne Edis is the University’s Travel Plan Coordinator. Lynne is based in Estate Support Services and has overall responsibility for developing, implementing and overseeing the Travel plan and Travel Plan Updates. Lynne also receives clerical support from one of her colleagues for the discounted Travel Scheme.

6.91 Time allocated to Travel Plan work for Lynne and her colleague corresponds to approximately 10% of a full-time post.

Measure 20. Flexible / Home Working Summary Travel Plan Coordinator appointed to develop and implement the plan Target groups All on campus Impact High Difficulty Medium – High (staff time and cost)



Measure 20. Flexible / Home Working Responsibility University Executive Board and Transportation Strategy Group Timescale Appointed. On-going work

Measure 21 – Environment and Sustainability Committee

6.92 The University established a Transportation Strategy Group in 2004. However, this has now been subsumed into an Environment and Sustainability Committee chaired by one of the Pro Vice Chancellors. Members include faculty representation and a lay member of Council, as well as the head of Facilities Management in ESS. A copy of the Environment and Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference, a list of the members of the committee and its Terms of Reference are contained in Appendix D.

Measure 21. Environment and Sustainability Committee Summary Group set up and meeting regularly Target groups All on campus Impact High Difficulty Low (set up already – from the Transportation Strategy Group) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator & University Executive Board Timescale Established, meet at least quarterly

Measure 22 – Travel Plan Resources

6.93 Funding is allocated to the Travel Plan process to allow the Travel Plan Coordinator to develop things such as the car share database, as well as install new cycle parking facilities and showers.

6.94 The University will continue to allocate funds to Travel Plan development, implementation and monitoring.

Measure 22. Travel Plan Resources Summary Funds and staff time allocated to Travel Plan development, implementation

and monitoring Target groups All on campus Impact High Difficulty Medium - High Responsibility Environment and Sustainability Committee, University Executive Board

and Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Funding and staff-time. On-going

Measure 23 – Travel Plan Promotion

6.95 For the Travel Plan to achieve its revised targets, staff and students will need to know about the University’s travel plan objectives. The Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to produce information and promotional material, as well as organise events to publicise the Travel Plan and its initiatives.

Information and Promotional Materials

6.96 The Travel Plan Coordinator will produce a small launch of the revised Travel Plan in 2009. This will tie in with the launch of a new salary sacrifice scheme in autumn 2009 and the piloting of a new car club scheme which is scheduled for June 2009.

6.97 The University will also use public transport, cycling and walking information and promotional material available from Newcastle City Council, Nexus and operators to promote alternative modes of transport to staff and students. A site specific leaflet, describing how to travel to the University and encourage staff, students and visitors to use sustainable modes of transport whenever possible will also be produced.



Sustainable Travel Events

6.98 The Travel Plan Coordinator will also continue to organise events promoting alternatives to the private car: These are likely to include the following:

• Travel Plan and initiatives launches;

• Car share lunches (Autumn 2009);

• Bike 2 Work Week or Leg It Day (although these events are not ideal as only few staff and students are on campus at these times);

• Promotion of Sustainable travel at staff welcome / benefit events;

• Sustainable travel events, such as World Environment Day

6.99 As some of the national or Newcastle City Council led events are organised while most staff and students are on leave / breaks, the Travel Plan Coordinator will adapt the events calendar to tie in with University term times.

Tyneside Travel Partnership

6.100 The University is also a founding member of the Tyneside Travel Partnership. This includes the following organisations:

• Newcastle University;

• Northumbria University;

• Newcastle City Council;

• Cobalt Business Park;

• Northern Rock; and

• Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust

6.101 The Tyneside Travel Partnership has been involved in arranging events such as the Greener Cleaner Travel Event in October 2007.

Measure 23. Travel Plan Promotion Summary Information and promotional material, internet use, promotional events Target groups All on campus Impact High (raising awareness and Travel Plan profile) Difficulty Medium (small budget and staff time needed) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Launch of the updated Travel Plan initiatives by mid 2009, potential for

involvement in promotional events Will include Sustainable Travel events which encompass a larger target audience, for example, World Environment Day. Sustainable Travel also promoted at staff welcome / benefits events and ESS open days. Continue to push forward the Tyneside Travel Partnership.

Monitoring and Reviewing the Travel Plan 6.102 For the University to assess progress towards the Travel Plan targets, modal split results as well

as initiatives take-up will need to be monitored. The Environment and Sustainability Committee and the Travel Plan Coordinator will continue to be responsible for reviewing targets and initiatives to adapt the Travel Plan and related policies to emerging needs and issues. The University will report to Newcastle City Council on Travel Plan progress and modal split targets.

Measure 24 - Monitoring

6.103 To assess progress on the Travel Plan, the University will continue to gather modal split data as well as monitor initiatives take-up.



Modal split

6.104 Newcastle University undertook its first comprehensive staff and student travel survey in 2004 and has since undertaken two further surveys in 2006 and 2008. The University will continue to monitor progress at the university and will undertake another staff and students survey in 2010/11.

6.105 Parking counts and snap shot surveys (using the internet) will also be used if data is needed during interval years.

Initiatives take up

6.106 The University will also continue to monitor the level of take-up for various Travel Plan initiatives on a yearly basis. This data will allow the Travel Plan Coordinator and the Environment and Sustainability Committee to review initiatives or their format to obtain the best results. The following indicators will continue to be used to monitor the Travel Plan initiatives:

• Use levels for motorcycle, cycle and car sharing parking facilities;

• Number of car parking permits issued;

• Number of car share scheme members;

• Number of staff using the discounted public transport tickets scheme; and

• Number of staff using the discounted cycles and cycling equipment (Cycle to Work Scheme).

6.107 The Travel Plan Coordinator will conduct the monitoring process and report to the Environment and Sustainability Committee every 6 months.

Measure 24 - Reviewing

6.108 The Transportation Strategy Group was in charge of reviewing the Travel Plan process, initiatives and targets in light of the monitoring data. However, as detailed in Measure 21, the Transportation Strategy Group has been subsumed into Environment and Sustainability Committee.

6.109 This committee will continue to review Travel Plan initiatives, which will be dependant on modal split performance. The University will continue to liaise with Newcastle City Council on the Travel Plan progress every year. Modal split data gathered through staff and students surveys will show progress on modal split targets ever second year. For interim years, a summary of the travel plan will give an update on initiatives implemented and staff and students take-up. This could be in the form of a shortened report.

Measure 24. Monitoring and Reviewing Summary Information and promotional material, internet use, promotional events Target groups All on campus Impact High (raising awareness and Travel Plan profile) Difficulty Medium (small budget and staff time needed) Responsibility Travel Plan Coordinator Timescale Launch of the updated Travel Plan initiatives by mid 2009, potential for

involvement in general promotional sustainable travel and environment events and specifically targeted events to coincide with National Events.



7. For More Information About Travel Plans

Publications:

• A Travel Plan Resource Pack for Employers, DfT

• Smarter Choices - Changing the way we travel, DfT

• BCO Green Travel Plan for Offices Report, British Council for Offices, July 2004

• Guidance 480, HM Revenue and Customs

• Leaflet IR 176 – Green Travel - HM Revenue and Customs

• Travel Plan News – Transport Energy

Websites:

• Association for Commuter Transport: www.act-uk.com

• Department for Transport: www.dft.gov.uk

For train timetables

• All routes: www.nationalrail.co.uk

• Transpennine Express: www.tpexpress.co.uk

• National Express East Coast: www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/

• Cross County Trains: www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

• Northern: www.northernrail.co.uk

For bus timetables

• In Tyne and wear: www.nexus.org.uk

• National helpline: www.traveline.org.uk

About cycling

• Sustrans: www.sustrans.org

• Cycle insurance: www.cycleinsurance.info

On vehicle efficiency

• Transport Energy: www.transportenergy.org.uk

• Vehicle Certification Agency: www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk





Appendix A - Contractor Parking Policy





















Appendix B - Staff Travel to Work Survey

















Appendix C - Student Travel Survey

















Appendix D – Environment and Sustainability Committee Terms of Reference









D.1.1 Members of the ESC include:

• AC Stevenson - Chair;

• R Hull – Lay Member of Council;

• S M Haile – University Sustainability Advisor;

• J Molineux – Head of Facilities;

• E A Wood – School Administrator;

• J M Amezaga – Senior Research Associate;

• S Davoudi – Professor of Environmental Policy and Planning;

• D Manning – Director of Institute for Research on Environment and Sustainability;

• A Henderson & R Glencross – Environmental and Ethical Officers Students’ Union; and

• L Edis – Head of Customer Services and Administration / Travel Plan Co-ordinator

D.1.2 The Terms of Reference for the Environment and Sustainability Committee are:

• To define the strategy of the University in relation to environment and sustainability issues, with the aim of continuous improvement in environmental performance;

• To develop and continually review policies which will enable the strategy to be met, including, Sustainability Policy, Environment Policy, Energy Policy, Waste Policy, , Corporate Social Responsibility;

• To identify and prioritise targets to achieve the policy objectives taking into account current and future legal and regulatory requirements, cost, sensitivity and associated risk;

• To review strategies, policies and procedures developed by others within the University, to ensure that environmental impacts and sustainability issues are considered in all University operations;

• To improve lines of communication with staff, students, visitors and other stakeholders, recognising the importance of promotion and individual awareness in achieving sustainability goals and improving environmental performance;

• To learn from existing examples of good practice in the HE sector, and to share achievements with appropriate networks;

• In line with the University’s mission statement, to develop links with regional stakeholders; and

• To work towards implementation of an environmental management system which will ultimately ensure continual improvement in the University’s environmental performance and support the above terms of reference.





Appendix E - Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle General Hospital Travel Plan

Framework

The Campus for Ageing and Vitality Newcastle General Hospital

Travel Plan Framework Ref: 4850/DA/02/001 January 2009 Checked and Approved by……………………………….. Date…………….

The Campus for Ageing and Vitality – Travel Plan Framework

Sanderson Associates 2 January 2009

The Campus for Ageing and Vitality

Newcastle General Hospital Travel Plan Framework

CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ________________________________________________ 3

2. ACCESS ______________________________________________________ 8

3. TRAVEL PLAN CO-ORDINATOR __________________________________ 9

4. BUSES ______________________________________________________ 10

5. RAIL / METRO _________________________________________________ 15

6. PEDESTRIANS ________________________________________________ 19

7. CYCLISTS____________________________________________________ 21

8. CAR SHARING AND CAR PARKING ______________________________ 24

9. PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL _________________________ 27

10. OTHER MEASURES____________________________________________ 29

11. TRAVEL PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOUR ___________________________ 30

12. TARGETS, MONITORING AND REVIEW ___________________________ 31

13. ACTION PLAN ________________________________________________ 34

14. SUMMARY ___________________________________________________ 40

APPENDICES

A Existing Travel Plan Documents (Text only) B St James Metro Timetable C 2km walking area plan D Newcastle Cycle Map E 5km cycling area plan



1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Newcastle NHS Trust and Newcastle University are working

together to propose a redevelopment of the existing Newcastle General

Hospital site. The proposed development site is to be known as “The

Campus for Ageing and Vitality” and will focus on research and

technology as well as monitoring a number of hospitalised patients.

1.2 Sanderson Associates has been appointed by the Newcastle NHS

Trust and Newcastle University to prepare this travel plan framework.

1.3 The Campus for Ageing and Vitality will provide Newcastle with a

world-class research and business centre which will look at how we

grow old, how we can stay healthy and active as we get older and how

we can combat age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and

dementia.

1.4 The Campus forms an important part of Newcastle Science City which

aims to help science and business work together for the benefit of the

city, the people who live and work here and the rest of the North East.

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle

University will work in tandem to deliver this development.

1.5 The Institute for Ageing and Health, which is part of Newcastle

University and works closely with clinicians from the NHS, is a key

element of the Newcastle Science City programme. The Institute is

already recognised as a world leader in its field, conducting research

to understand ageing and to treat age-related diseases such as

Alzheimer’s and diabetes.

1.6 The Institute for Ageing and Health, already based on the General

Hospital site is leading research on healthy ageing and age-related

disorders and is already the best of its kind in Europe.



1.7 A Campus for Ageing & Vitality on the General Hospital site will build

on this reputation for excellence by providing the very latest medical

and research facilities so that the Institute can continue to develop and

expand its work. The potential for the Campus is huge and future

developments could include an exemplar care home facility which will

not only provide first class care facilities but which will also act as a

training centre. The Voluntary Sector may also wish to contemplate

relocation to the Campus.

1.8 Transforming the Newcastle Hospitals, or TNH for short, is a major

building and reorganisation project bringing hospital services together

to improve the quality of patient care in the city. It is the result of more

than 12 years’ planning and consultation work by the Newcastle upon

Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

1.9 Over the next few years all acute hospital services – including

Accident and Emergency, Cancer and Children’s Services - will be

moved from Newcastle General Hospital to new state-of-the-art

facilities now under construction at the Freeman and RVI. A Walk-in

Centre will be created to provide treatment and care facilities as part of

the development. The NHS Walk-in Medical Centre will offer direct

access to a wide range of healthcare expertise and services including

fact-to-face consultation, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. There will

be a range of walk in services available when you need them. This

includes care and treatment for minor injuries and ailments such as

cuts, bruises, and sprains, minor head injuries, aches and pains and

emergency contraception. Access to GP services or hospital care can

also be provided if required. Some tests and investigations as well as

various treatments are also available. The Centre will also have clinical

facilities to provide outreach clinics and services for women and

children.



1.10 In accordance with Local and National Government Policies to protect

and enhance the environment, this Travel Plan assesses the current

situation in the vicinity of the site, and proposes measures to

encourage accessibility via a variety of transport modes.

1.11 Both the Newcastle NHS Trust and Newcastle University are fully

committed to the provision of an effective Travel Plan, and will ensure

that once occupied, there will be a requirement to prepare a detailed

Travel Plan to suit specific site operations and local circumstances e.g.

Staff travel needs.

1.12 A Travel Plan can bring a number of benefits, including the following:

• Regular commuters to the site can enjoy improved health, less

stress, cost and time savings and a greater travel choice.

• A reduced demand for car parking, with less congestion and better

access for patients and deliveries.

• The Local Community will welcome the reduced traffic congestion

and shorter journey times.

• The environment will benefit from improved air quality, less noise

and dirt, and a reduced impact of wider environmental problems

such as global warming.

1.13 The main objectives of the Travel Plan are as follows:

• To improve, where possible, the accessibility of the site by means

other than the single person occupied car.

• To ensure that the travel plans meets the needs of both the

hospital employees and patients/visitors.

• To make staff and patients aware of the benefits to be derived from

the Travel Plan.

• To minimise the level of vehicular traffic generated by the site.

• To enable further development to protect and enhance the

environment.



1.14 The monitoring of the effectiveness of the Travel Plan will be

undertaken by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator for the Newcastle NHS

Trust. Currently this position is held by David Malone. A biennial

progress report will be prepared and will look at the results of target

setting, implementation, monitoring and review. The biennial progress

report will be made available to the Local Authority.

1.15 The implementation of measures contained within the Travel Plan will

be the responsibility of the Travel Plan Co-ordinator.

1.16 The site will benefit from a combined approach to delivery of a Travel

Plan for the development. The Trust and Newcastle University already

have in place established Travel Plans and are both founder members

of the Tyneside Travel Partnership. The development will be included

within the existing Travel Plans of both organisations and the

measures and targets already being achieved within the existing

framework will be implemented on The Campus for Ageing and Vitality

ensuring sustainable access is a key factor in its development and

operation.

1.17 Detailed travel plans have been carried out for both the current

Campus for Ageing and Vitality site which was carried out by Atkins in

November 2006 and “Newcastle Hospitals” which was carried out on

30th December 2006 by David Malone. Although the “Newcastle

Hospitals” travel plan is generic, it includes the existing Newcastle

General Hospital site.

1.18 Both Travel plans include a number of measures that are relevant to

this framework document. The relationships formed by these travel

plans with Newcastle City Council and various public transport

operators will prove invaluable when a full travel plan is produced once

the site is operational.



1.19 The dedication and commitment of both the Newcastle NHS Trust and

Newcastle University is clearly evident in the full travel plans produced

for each existing site. Indeed the Newcastle NHS Trust is very much

seen as a pioneer for producing and implementing a successful travel

plans. Both the Newcastle Hospitals and Campus for Ageing and

Vitality travel plans are shown in Appendix A.

1.20 Unfortunately the surveys in these travel plans cannot be used as they

do not directly reflect the development proposals. A new staff travel

survey will therefore be undertaken at a time when at least 50% of the

site is operational. This will then provide a clear picture of the travel

habits of staff at the site and enable specific targets to be set.

1.21 The next sections of the plan assess the existing measures which are

present on the Hospital Site, and suggest various measures which will

be considered once the results of the Staff Survey are available. The

Travel plan then concludes by setting out the future monitoring and

further development of the Plan.



2. ACCESS 2.1 The Campus for Ageing and Vitality is currently being developed to the

north of the existing Newcastle General Hospital site approximately 1.5

miles to the west of Newcastle city centre. As acute hospital services

are decanted to new facilities at the RVI and Freeman Hospital’s

development works will begin in areas of the site that are no longer in

use.

2.2 Providing a range of travel options for access to the site is an

important part of its long-term development. The needs of all must

therefore be taken into account including staff, patients and visitors to

the site along with the needs of local residents and neighbours.

Elements of the site will offer a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

function. Increasing the role of “green” modes of transport such as

bus, cycling and walking will bring overall access benefits through

improved travel choices but will also bring wider health benefits too.

Such an approach is consistent with the policy approach of Newcastle

City Council and the overriding Government Policy as set out in PPG

13: Transport, Newcastle PCT’s Director of Public Health Report and

NICE Campaign (www.publichealth.nice.org/page.aspx?o=PHI002)



3. TRAVEL PLAN CO-ORDINATOR

3.1 It is essential that for a Travel Plan to work successfully a person be

appointed as Travel Plan Co-ordinator. The Co-ordinator’s duties will

be to develop, promote, co-ordinate, monitor and review the Travel

Plan. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will prepare a specific Travel Plan

based upon this framework document. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator

will work to ensure a comprehensive approach to travel.

3.2 David Malone is currently employed as the full time Travel Plan Co-

ordinator for the Newcastle NHS Trust. He (or his successor) will be

the Travel Plan Co-ordinator for the development site.

3.3 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will implement the following initiatives

when development has been completed:

• Based on this framework document, a full travel plan for the

site shall be submitted to the council within 9 months of 50% of

the site being operational.

• A new survey shall be undertaken at a time to be agreed with

the Local Authority, in order to determine staff travel habits.

• After the staff survey is completed, the results will be analysed

and any areas for improvement will be identified, with specific

initiatives being tailored to suit the development.

• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall review the impact of the

travel plan biennially after the initial staff survey.

• The Travel Plan shall have consideration to the various

measures set out in the following sections.

• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will liaise with the Local Authority

and other relevant bodies enabling the Travel Plan to be

updated at regular intervals and evolve (where necessary) in

relation to local, national and international demands.

• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will liaise (where possible) with

the patients at the hospital to help promote sustainable

measures of travelling to and from the hospital site.



4. BUSES

4.1 To the north of the site there is a bus stop on either side of Nuns Moor

Road. Services 12 & 36 use these bus stops and are summarised

below.

4.2 To the south of the site there are two bus stops on either side of

Westgate road. They are all sheltered with seating and timetable

displays. These stops serve service numbers 10, 11, 38, 39, 40, 50,

684, 685, 888 and X82.

4.3 The site is highly accessible with an extremely high frequency of

services. The services provided to the site can be accessed at a

number of locations from the north, south, east and west of the site by

means of interchange from Metro services or other bus services also

operating with high level frequencies.

4.4 Bus services link the NGH to Newcastle Central Station. St. James

Metro station which is 1 mile from the NGH site is also linked by bus

services. There are many bus services stopping in the vicinity of the

NGH site. A comprehensive breakdown of services is available in

Table1.

4.5 Full bus timetables for the above services can be found at

www.nexus.org.uk



TABLE 1 ACCESSIBILITY SUMMARY

THE CAMPUS OF AGEING & VITALITY

SERVICE NO. FREQUENCY AREAS COVERED BY SERVICE 4

30 mins Metro Centre, Whickham View, Scotswood, Benwell Shops, NGH, Fenham, Cowgate

10/11

Haymarket, Monument, Central Station

10 mins North Kenton, Kenton Shops, Kenton Park Shops, Haymarket, John Dobson Street, Pilgrim Street, Monument, Central Station, NGH, West Road, Denton Burn, Slatyford, Lemington Road Ends, West Denton Park

12

St. James, Monument, Manors, Byker, Wallsend

7/8 mins Fenham, Wingrove Road, Nuns Moor Road, NGH, Barrack Road, Monument, Manors, Byker, St. Anthony’s, Walker Bus Terminal, Low Walker, Wallsend

32

Haymarket, Longbenton, Four lane Ends

30 mins Monument, Market Street, St. Thomas Street, RVI, Dental Hospital, Spital Tongues, BBC Centre, NGH, Elswick, Cruddas park, South Benwell, Benwell Shops, Benwell Village, Fenham, Cowgate, Blakelaw, Kenton Bar, Kenton Bar Estate, North Kenton, Fawdon, Coxlodge, Gosforth High Street, South Gosforth, DSS Longbenton, Four Lane Ends

36

Central Station, Monument, Haymarket

8 mins Grainger Street, Newgate Street, Gallowgate, Barrack Road, New Mills, Walter Terrace, Studley Terrace, Nuns Moor Road, NGH, Wingrove Road, Fenham Hall Drive, Netherby Drive.

38

Central Station, Monument, Haymarket

10 mins Whickham View, Benwell Village, NGH, Central Station, Monument, Pilgrim Street, John Dobson Street, Haymarket, Sandyford, Cradlewell, Coast Road Corner House, Freeman Hospital

39/40

St. James, Monument, Manors, Byker, Wallsend

5 mins Dumpling Hall, Lemington Road Ends, Denton Burn, West Road, NGH, Newcastle St. James, Newcastle Monument, New Bridge Street, Manors, Byker, Welbeck Road, Church Walk Shops, Walker Bus Terminal, Low Walker, Wallsend



50

St. James, Haymarket

60 mins Lemington, South Benwell, Benwell Shops, NGH, BBC TV Centre, Spital Tongues, Dental Hospital, RVI, St. Thomas Street, Percy Street, St. James, BBC TV Centre, Fenham, Slatyford, Denton Burn, Lemington Road Ends, West Denton

85


60 mins Eldon Square, Central Station, St. James, NGH, West Road, Denton Burn, Lemington Road Ends, Walbottle, Throckley, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Horsley, Corbridge, Hexham

X84/684


90 mins Eldon Square, St. James, NGH, West Road, Denton Burn, Lemington Road Ends, Walbottle, Throckley, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Wylam, Ovingham, Ovington

685


60 mins Eldon Square, St. James, NGH, West Road, Denton Burn, Lemington Road Ends, Walbottle, Throckley, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Horsley, Corbridge, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Barden Mill, Haltwhistle, Greenhead, Brampton, Carlisle

888

St. James, Haymarket, Central Station

2 journeys / day

Metro Centre, Eldon Square, Newcastle Coach Station, St. James, NGH, Denton Burn, Throckley, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Horsley, Corbridge, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, Whitfield, Alston, Nenthead

X82


20 mins Eldon Square, St. James, NGH, Denton Burn, Lemington Road Ends, Walbottle, Throckley Leazes, Throckley

4.6 It can be seen from the above table the site is well served by bus

services. However, on going discussions between the Trust and

University and bus operators mean that improvements to services will

be made if necessary.

4.7 Only when the development is at least 50% operational and staff

surveys have been carried out will the Trust and University and

University be aware if improvements can be made to suit staff and

visitors.

4.8 A Hopper service currently exists between the NHS hospital sites in

Newcastle, this service will remain when the proposed development is



completed. A proposed improvement to the Hopper service will see

larger vehicles in operation with longer operating times and these will

be accessible to staff, patients and visitors, thereby limiting

dependence on the private car to make trips between sites.

4.9 Proposed Initiatives

• In order to encourage the use of the existing bus services it is

proposed to prominently display route maps, timetables, plus ticket

and special offer information at the main building entrances and at

staff areas. It will be the responsibility of the Travel Plan Co-ordinator

to make sure the information is kept up to date to promote the use of

these services.

• The Trust and University will liaise with public transport operators to

secure discounts for staff and where appropriate effect changes to

timetables and routes.

• The Trust and University will work closely with Nexus and the bus

operators to bring about improvements to the existing bus network,

including geographical network coverage and the times of operation

(evenings, weekends etc). This will utilise data obtained through the

travel plan monitoring surveys.

• A travel information pack including public transport information and

location maps of nearby services will be provided to all new members

of staff and will also be offered to all existing members of staff via staff

newsletters and message boards.

• As part of the development proposals improvements will be made to

the bus stops and shelter provision.

• Public transport information will be sent to patients with their

appointment documentation.

• The Trust currently provides a shuttle service for staff to access RVI,

Freeman Hospital and NGH to carry out cross-site working. This

service will remain and serve the proposed campus and is subject to

review to be implemented as a public service.

• The site will also be accessible for the LinkUp Service vehicles and the

Link Up and Taxi Link services will be actively promoted.



• As part of the Trust and University’s commitment to the Tyneside

Travel Partnership, postcode data is collected biennially by all partners

and this information will be used to influence operators to provide

improved services to major sites.



5. RAIL / METRO 5.1 The Campus for Ageing and Vitality is located approximately 1.5 miles

from Newcastle Central train station. The Central Station provides

access from a wide geographical area using the local train network

from the west and is also on the east coast mainline. The Central

Station also benefits form a metro station that is served from all areas

on the Metro network.

5.2 The public transport network across Tyne and Wear will enable a large

contingent of potential users to access the site in less than one hour

and/or with only one change.

5.3 Newcastle central train station is a key stop on the east cost main line.

It has a total of 12 platforms and is linked to the majority of the country

with regular services to London, York, Glasgow, Edinburgh,

Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester and Liverpool as well as

many other major cities and towns.

5.4 The major routes this station serves includes the “Cross Country route”

operated by Cross Country trains, the “Glasgow South Western Line”

operated by First ScotRail, the “North TransPennine” route operated

by First TransPennine express, the “East Coast Main Line” operated

by National Express and the “Durham Coast Line”, “Tees Valley Line”

and “Tyne Valley Line” which are all operated by Northern Rail.

5.5 A journey planner that links Newcastle central train station to all

operational train stations in the country can be used by logging on to

www.nationalrail.co.uk

5.6 The closest metro station to the site is St James which is

approximately 1 mile from the site. This would take a pedestrian



approximately 20 minutes to walk or a cyclist approximately 5 minutes

to cycle.

5.7 St James Metro station is located on the Tyne & Wear Metro Yellow

Line (St James – South Shields). The Tyne & Wear Metro is operated

by Nexus. Metro stations are well accessed by the bus services

described earlier with high frequency and this provides scope for a

wider catchment area. All of these Metro Stations are situated on the

Yellow Line or Green Line

5.8 A table summarising the services provided at the St. James Metro

station is below, with full timetables provided in Appendix B.

First Trains To Mon-Fri Sat Sun

South Shields 06:02 06:17 07:08



Frequency Mon-Fri Sat Sun

Peak (am/pm) every 12 mins

every 12 mins

every 15 mins

Daytime every 12 mins

every 12 mins

every 15 mins

Evenings every 15 mins

every 15 mins

every 15 mins

Last Trains To Mon-Fri Sat Sun

South Shields 22:31 22:31 22:31

Pelaw 22:46 22:46 22:46

Longbenton 23:38 23:38 23:38

5.9 The above services show that the site is served well by the quantity

of rail and metro services. The metro service is used by a large

number of commuters daily and it is expected that some staff will

use this means of transport. The Metro service also provides a

direct link to Newcastle Central Train Station which therefore links

the site to the rest of the country.


• In order to encourage the use of the existing train and metro

services it is proposed to prominently display route maps,

timetables, plus ticket and special offer information at the main

building entrances and at staff areas. It will be the responsibility

of the Travel Plan Co-ordinator to make sure the information is

kept up to date to promote the use of these services.

• A travel information pack including public transport information

and location maps of nearby services will be provided to all new

members of staff and will also be offered to all existing

members of staff via staff newsletters and message boards.

• The Trust and University will work with others to improve links

with existing Metro stations, whether by foot, cycle or bus.



• Public transport information will be sent to patients with their

appointment documentation.

• The Trust and Newcastle University both provide corporate

discount annual travel pass schemes for staff. Staff from both

organisations working at the proposed campus will be eligible to

use the schemes. The scheme will be available to all staff

working at the proposed campus.

• As part of the Trust and University’s commitment to the

Tyneside Travel Partnership, postcode data is collected

biennially by all partners and this information will be used to

influence operators to provide improved services to major sites.



6. PEDESTRIANS

6.1 Planning Policy Guidance 13 (PPG13) identifies that walking is the

most important mode of travel at the local level and offers the greatest

potential to replace short car trips in journeys under 2km. As the plan

provided in Appendix C demonstrates, large residential areas lie within

2km of the site. Staff and visitors within these areas have the

opportunity to walk to the site.

6.2 Footways and crossing facilities are currently available on Westgate

Road and Nuns Moor Road / Studley Terrace. Quieter roads passing

through residential areas are available to the south, east and west of

Newcastle General Hospital.

6.3 Under the development proposals pedestrian access to the site and

routes within the site will be greatly improved. Improvements to

Westgate Road / Grainger Park Road will be made to offer signal

crossing facilities on all legs of the junction.

6.4 A large pedestrian only access point at the south of the site between

the proposed Tesco store and Community Research Centre will be

introduced. This will lead into the centre of the campus site. Signalised

pedestrian crossing facilities exist on Westgate Road that lead into this

proposed access point. Pedestrian only access points leading into the

centre of the facility will also be introduced off Brighton Grove to the

south-east of the site and Hadrian Road to the west of the site.

6.5 The main pedestrian access point to the north of the site will be

through the main entrance off Studley Terrace. Footways will be

integrated into the access road where previously it only provided

vehicular access. Footways on the new access road will be developed

where possible to improve access to the site for all modes of transport.



6.6 When the campus is fully operational and constructed in conjunction

with the proposals, all footways will be lit and maintained to a high

standard with the provision of dropped kerb at all crossing points to

assist people with push chairs and those with mobility needs, the use

of tactile paving will assist in this.


• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will promote walking to and from

work for all staff.

• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will review on a biennial basis the

level of staff walking to work and encourage the attractiveness of

this activity.

• Where possible staff will be recruited from the local area making it

easy to use alternative modes of transport to the private car.

• The NHS Trust and University will work with others, including

Newcastle City Council, to improve external pedestrian links where

possible.

• Safe pedestrian routes including new footpaths and footways are

proposed within the internal site layout. These routes will include

adequate lighting and CCTV security along them. These pedestrian

routes will be monitored to identify whether any further

improvements to lighting, CCTV Security or other measures may

be required.

• Showers for use by pedestrians will be available as this is included

in current infrastructure plans for pedestrians in the Travel Plans of

both the Trust and Newcastle University.

• The provision of safe and clearly marked footpaths and crossings

throughout the site will be provided to ensure the site is pedestrian

friendly.



7. CYCLISTS

7.1 Cycling access to the proposed campus is best achieved by using

traffic free routes through Nuns Moor Park and Benwell Sports ground

or via recommend low traffic routes on Brighton Grove, Studley

Terrace, Wingrove Avenue, Beaconsfield Street, Stanhope Street,

Bishops Avenue, Grainger Park Road and Nuns Moor Road.

7.2 The proposed campus site is surrounded by good facilities for cyclists.

Studley Terrace, Nuns Moor Road, Wingrove Avenue and Dunholme

Road are advisory cycle routes identified in the Newcastle cycle map.

There are also off road cycle paths on Ponteland Road, linking to the

A167 and Kenton to the north-west and to Castle Leazes as well as

the University’s central campus to the east. A copy of the Newcastle

Cycle Map is included in Appendix D.

7.3 As stated in PPG13, cycling has the potential to substitute for short car

trips, particularly those under 5km. As the plan provided in Appendix

E demonstrates, staff and/or visitors from many parts of Newcastle are

comfortably within cycling distance of the site, including the areas of

Fawdon, Gosforth, Kenton, Blakelaw, Harnham, Jesmond, Heaton,

Battlefield, Newburn, Elswick and parts of Gateshead.

7.4 The Trust and Newcastle University have both invested heavily in

cycling infrastructure at the main University campus, RVI, Freeman

Hospital, NGH and Centre for Life as part of their Travel Plan

initiatives. The provision of a varied range of cycle parking is available

including stands, cycle boxes and cycle compounds. This ethos and

proactive approach to the encouragement of cycling will continue on

the proposed campus.



7.5 Secure cycle parking facilities are proposed within the site layout. The

NHS Trust and University will ensure that these are clearly identified

through on-site signage and in relevant promotional material.

7.6 The proposed site will provide dedicated shower and changing

facilities for staff choosing to cycle to work.

7.7 The Trust have 10 electric bicycles which will be used as pool bikes

and the Trust and University will seek to identify a means of providing

a wide range of pool bikes in secure parking through partnerships

created with local bike stores.


• Cycle route information will be clearly displayed at strategic points

throughout the buildings to encourage the use of local cycle routes.

• A travel information pack including cycle routes will be provided to

all new staff and will be offered to all existing staff via the staff

newsletters and message boards etc.

• The Trust and University will liaise with Newcastle City Council

over the development of safe cycle routes.

• The Trust and University will make pool bikes available for staff

who are required to travel between hospital sites or between

University campuses.

• The Trust and University will provide interest free loans for cycle

and cycle equipment purchases. They will also seek to establish

links with a local retailer to secure discounts.

• The Trust and University will introduce Bicycle User Groups

(BUGs) for hospital and University staff, and encourage regular

meetings to discuss issues and problems. These will be attended

by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator.

• The Trust and University will introduce a cycle user allowance for

staff using the cycle for work purposes.

• The Trust and University will work together with local residents and

companies interested in promoting cycle use.



• Showers for use by cyclists will be available as this is included in

current infrastructure plans for cyclists in the Travel Plans of both

the Trust and Newcastle University.

• The provision of safe and clearly marked crossing facilities and

cycle routes throughout the site will be provided to ensure the site

is cycle friendly.

• Both organisations currently provide the Bike to Work Scheme and

this will continue to be available to staff at the proposed campus.



8. CAR SHARING AND CAR PARKING

8.1 The main vehicular access to the proposed Campus for Ageing and

Vitality is off Studley Terrace, to the north of the NGH although it is

also possible to access the site from the south using the one-way

system from Westgate Road.

8.2 From Newcastle City Centre the site can be accessed through the

A186 Westgate Road or through Studley Terrace, off the A189 Barrack

Road, for a more direct access to the north of the site and the

proposed campus.

8.3 From the west, the NGH is located 2.5 miles from the A1/A186 junction

towards Newcastle City Centre using the A186 West Road/Westgate

Road.

8.4 From the north-west, the A696 Ponteland Road meets the A167

slightly more than a mile from the NGH north entrance using Wingrove

Road and Studley Terrace.

8.5 From the north, the A189 goes through Gosforth and West Jesmond,

meeting the A167 approximately 1 mile from the proposed campus.

8.6 There are currently 925 spaces available at the existing NGH site of

which 568 are available for staff. Staff parking is allocated in swipe

operated barrier car park and some marked bay spaces on the one-

way system. A total number of 788 permits have been sold to staff at a

cost of £36 per month for full-time employees. Part-time employees

pay pro-rata. 2.4.1 There are 391 public spaces available as pay and

display. A Pay-on-Foot system implemented by the Trust at the

Freeman Hospital in late 2007 has immediately stopped the trend of

demand exceeding supply for spaces at peak times and it is proposed

that all parking on the proposed campus will be operated with a Pay-



on-Foot system. This system reduces illegal parking and ensures

appropriate parking charges are collected.

8.7 Visitor changes are currently applicable at Trust sites and these

charges will be implemented on the proposed campus.

8.8 Parking enforcement notices are currently applicable at Trust sites and

these charges will be implemented on the proposed campus.

8.9 The Parking Policy of the Trust will be adopted for all staff and visitors

to the proposed campus. All staff will need to apply for a parking pass

and will need to score the relevant number of points to qualify for a

parking permit. An agreed level of permits will be issued and the

process of application ensures a fair allocation of permits against

need. This process eliminates unnecessary parking.

8.10 The staff travel survey will clarify numbers of people currently travelling

in a car driven by another person. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator is

responsible for promoting car sharing.

8.11 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall where possible provide incentives

for the promotion of car sharing by staff with the intention of achieving

annual increased levels of car sharing.

8.12 The Trust has implemented a formal car-share scheme in conjunction

with Newcastle City Council. The Trust has bespoke car-share

software (Journey2Share) and the scheme was launched in November

2003. This will be further promoted and extended to cover Trust and

University staff on the site.

8.13 To facilitate this the Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall maintain a central

register/database of car sharers and invite staff to join, in accordance

with incentives, promotional literature and staff exhibitions as

appropriate.



8.14 The proposed site layout will include dedicated car parking for staff

participating in the car-share scheme, and will also consider offering

discounts in parking charges to increase the take-up of the scheme.

Spaces will be segregated and conveniently located.

8.15 The Trust and University will ensure provision of adequate and suitably

sited car parking to meet the needs of the mobility impaired.

8.16 The Trust and University are dedicated to carefully managing their car

parks, and ensuring that a correct balance is struck between public and

staff parking.


• The financial, environmental and other benefits of car sharing

will be highlighted to all staff and visitors.

• The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will monitor the effectiveness of

the car sharing scheme, with a view to encouraging a year-on-

year increase in car sharing.

• The Trust and University will set up car-share coffee clubs,

based on home postcodes to encourage growth in the car-share

scheme.

• The Trust and University will offer staff willing to give up their

staff car park permit an annual Metro / bus travel pass for the

same price as the parking pass. The difference in cost will be

met by the Trust and University.

• The Trust and University will continue to review its procedures

for the issuing of staff parking permits, and will place a greater

emphasis on providing alternatives for all new starters.

• The Trust and University will work with Newcastle City Council

to mitigate against hospital parking in residential areas near to

the hospital site. This will include the development of a

residential parking scheme as part of the development

proposals.



9. PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL 9.1 Research undertaken elsewhere demonstrates that the majority of the

general public have a lack of knowledge of the public transport options

in their area. In addition, many people’s perception of bus and rail

services is typically a poor one, despite often having little or no recent

experience.

9.2 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will continue to liaise with Nexus and the

bus operators over the promotion of bulk purchase ticket discounts for

staff travelling in the Tyne and Wear area.

9.3 In addition, special events such as car-free days or cycle to work days

will be promoted by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator in order to encourage

car drivers to use alternatives modes of transport when they travel to

and from work.


• The Trust and University will work closely with Nexus,

Newcastle Council and the public transport operators to

produce and circulate an access leaflet, summarising all the

options for travelling to the site. This will include details of park

and ride schemes in the region.

• The Trust and University will produce and circulate pedestrian

and cycle network information / maps.

• The Trust and University will work with others to introduce

specific promotional awards during cycling / walking events.

• The Trust and University will provide regular promotion of the

discounted cycle equipment scheme.

• The Trust and University will publicise to staff the introduction of

bicycle user groups.



• The Trust and University will work with others to establish cycle

/ walking theme days. This will include specific information on

the health benefits of walking and cycling.

• The Trust and University will provide the web addresses to key

regional transportation sites, including the Tyne and Wear

journey planner, on the NHS intranet site and on all notice

boards.

• The Trust and University will provide easy to read bus maps to

make people aware of the network coverage.

• The Trust and University will promote local businesses selling

bicycles and protective clothing and providing cycle servicing.

• The Trust and University will provide and disseminate

information on road safety produced by local authorities relating

to walking, cycling and vehicle speeds.

• The Trust and University will participate in special initiatives

such as National Car Free Day.

• The Trust and University will liaise with Nexus over special

Travel Plan open days / surgeries at the site. This will allow staff

and others the opportunity to fully explore the various options,

including the ability to consider a bespoke journey plan for the

individual.

• The Trust and University will ensure travel issues form a key

part of staff induction courses.

• The Trust and University will continue to have within patients’

appointment letters information on the travel line number for

bus/metro timetables and route planning.

• The Trust and University will ensure all ticketing offers are

widely and strongly promoted.



10. OTHER MEASURES

10.1 The Trust and University will investigate the potential benefits and

costs associated with pool cars and the use of low emission vehicles.

10.2 In some cases public transport may not suit the work patterns of some

staff. The possibility of using taxis is therefore an option. If shared by a

number of users this can provide a practical and affordable means of

transport to work. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will seek to develop a

formal taxi sharing scheme in parallel to the car sharing scheme.

10.3 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will liaise with nominated taxi firms in

order to investigate the possibility of introducing a discounted taxi

scheme for staff. A taxi scheme will also be set up to support the car

share scheme for those occasions when a lift home is not possible.

10.4 Opportunities may exist for some staff to work remotely on some days

or perhaps to work alternative shift patterns to suit. The nature of many

jobs precludes this, but the Trust and University will examine the

feasibility of teleworking and flexible working for some staff.

10.5 Covered parking and clearly marked parking areas will be provided for

motorcycles and provision will be made for storage of helmets and

relevant equipment.



11. TRAVEL PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOUR 11.1 Fully understanding the problem at hand is the first step in arriving at

an effective solution. The issues surrounding travel habits and

behaviour are both varied and complex, and robust, well planned data

collection is critical if effective solutions are to be developed. The Trust

and University recognise this and place great emphasis on the role of

research.

11.2 Travel surveys have already been conducted by the Trust and

Newcastle University and this survey data demonstrates the

achievements made by both organisations with their respective Travel

Plans. Copies of Travel Surveys can be found in the respective Travel

Plan documents.

11.3 It is proposed that a Travel Survey will be conducted for The Campus

for Ageing and Vitality as a stand alone site on completion of

development works or when 50% occupancy of the site is achieved.

11.4 A Travel Survey will be conducted at The Campus of Ageing and

Vitality biennially flowing submission of the first survey.



12. TARGETS, MONITORING AND REVIEW

12.1 The measures and targets for the proposed campus will mirror those in

the existing Travel Plans of the Trust and University as all Travel

Planning measures covered will be implemented for The Campus of

Ageing and Vitality. (Please refer to main Travel Plan)

12.2 Monitoring plays an important part in the development of a Travel Plan,

helping to identify areas of success, along with those requiring further

work. The impact of the plan will be monitored via biennial staff

surveys, providing a useful benchmark for subsequent surveys.

12.3 Snapshots surveys of cycling infrastructure, car parking figures and

motorbike parking will also be carried out to ensure the Travel Plan

impacts on these people is understood.

12.4 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will be required to undertake a travel

survey on completion of the development or within 6 months of 50% of

the site being occupied, and thereafter biennially. The survey will be

based upon the sample survey contained in the Transport 2000

document ‘Changing Journeys to Work’ amended to suit the particular

situation. Following that survey and the analysis of the results, it will

then be possible to identify what targets can realistically be set and

how they can be monitored.

12.5 Occupancy levels of car parking spaces will be easily accessible via

information provided from the barrier parking system. Data provided

will enable easily identifiable levels of parking, frequency of parking by

individuals and peak time levels.

12.6 In addition, the Travel Plan Co-ordinator will undertake further surveys

to establish a better understanding of the travel habits of patients and

their visitors; and by incorporating these in the monitoring programme.

This will help identify the impact of the evolving Travel Plan on this



group of people. The Trust and University will also complete snap-shot

surveys of car park usage as a further measure of the plan’s impact.

12.7 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall review the impact of the Travel

Plan biennially and shall submit a monitoring report to the Local

Authority with the findings of this review and proposed actions, if any,

to further encourage the use of non-car modes of transport.

12.8 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator shall review the results of the survey,

and will set targets for the reduction in car journeys, together with the

implementation of measures which are considered to be most

appropriate to meet the stated objectives.

12.9 Whilst an initial target of a 10% reduction in single occupancy journeys

over 3 years is proposed, this figure will be reviewed following the first

surveys post-implementation of the development to ensure that it is

practicable and reasonable.

12.10 It is acknowledged that this initial Travel Plan is only a starting point,

and to be successful must be a “living” document that develops over

time. The next steps in this development are as follows:

Step One: Agreement of an Initial Travel Plan between the Local

Authority and the Trust and University.

Step Two: Completion of a staff and visitor survey to identify existing

baseline conditions.

Step Three: Based on the results of this survey, set specific targets for

changes in modal split, plus timescales for achieving

these targets.

Step Four: Following consultation with a variety of bodies,

implement measures as considered appropriate.



Step Five: Monitor the effectiveness of these measures and amend

the Travel Plan as necessary. This will include biennial

surveys.



13. ACTION PLAN 13.1 The Action Plan sets out the background to the development of the

Travel Plan, providing an overview of services and facilities. It also

establishes a wide range of measures, along with a set of realistic yet

challenging targets.

13.2 The Action Plan is an evolving part of the Travel Plan and provides a

summary of measures and targets from both Trust and University

Travel Plans that we believe can be implemented and achieved within

The Campus for Aging and Vitality. It must be remembered that

flexibility is the key to successful implementation as is accurate

monitoring. The Plan will therefore change over time as valuable

resources are targeted to ensure the best results. In view of this the

Trust and University will undertake a thorough review of the Plan every

three to four years.

13.3 The Action Plan provides both measurable targets and projects that

will simply influence travel choice and behaviour.



TARGET PROGRESS

Travelscheme – Discounted travel passes

via salary deduction for all staff

Scheme will be available to all

employees of the Trust and University.

Parking Permits The site will adopt the Parking

Strategy of the Trust and all staff will

be required to meet qualifying criteria

in order to obtain a parking permit.

Charging for permits will be set at

standard Trust rates (currently £36 per

month) and reviewed annually.

Parking Enforcement The site will adopt the Trust’s

preferred supplier of parking

enforcement and enforcement of car

parking will be carried out by Trust

Security staff. The issue of fixed

penalty notices will be applied. Staff

parking will be provided in Pay-on-

Foot parking areas. Public parking

areas will also be provided on a Pay-

on-Foot system.

Road Markings All inner ring roads will be marked with

double yellow lines. All areas with

double yellow line road marking will

also have double yellow line flash

marking on adjoining pavements to

ensure no parking.

Travel Survey A travel survey will be completed on

completion of development works /

50% occupancy of the site with follow-

up surveys every 2 years thereafter.



Car Share Bays 25 Car Share bays will be designated

initially with an annual review and

adjustments made to provision in line

with demand. A car share website will

be provided either through the Trust,

University or Smarter Choices.

Car Clubs Subject to supplier agreement with

Newcastle City Council the scheme

integrated on the development and

spaces will be provided to support the

scheme.

Cycle Infrastructure The Trust and University will jointly

provide a diverse range of cycle

parking including Sheffield and

Harrogate cycle racks, compounds

and cycle boxes. Compounds and

cycle box implementation will be

subject to support through external

funding. Unisex showers and lockers

to be provided in all buildings.

Bike 2 Work Both organisations currently provide a

Bike 2 Work Scheme and this will be

available to all University and Trust

employees based on the site.

Pool Bikes The Trust have 10 electric bicycles

which will be used as pool bikes and

the Trust and University will seek to

identify a means of providing a wide

range of pool bikes in secure parking

through partnerships created with

local bike stores.



Bicycle User Group The formation of a BUG will be

actively encouraged, facilitated and

supported by Travel Plan

Coordinators of the Trust and

University. The BUG will provide

feedback to the Travel Plan

Coordinators on site specific needs.

Hopper The existing Hopper service provided

by the Trust will continue to serve the

site. The Hopper service is currently

under review with plans for larger

vehicles, longer operating times and

becoming PCV carriers.

Site Induction Pack All employees will be provided with a

Site Induction Pack providing

information on sustainable access to

the site.

Carbon Management Strategy Both organisations currently have a

Carbon Management Strategy in

development and the Travel Plan

initiatives under the Carbon

Management strategies will be

duplicated on the development.

Postcode Mapping Working in partnership with the

Tyneside Travel Partnership,

postcodes of all occupant employees

will be mapped to provide valuable

data to Travel Planners and bus

companies, etc.



Deliveries All suppliers / contractors will have a

needs assessment carried out to

assess need for vehicle on site and

will be charged £6 per day for on-site

parking.

Site Guide A ‘Clearways’ Guide to the Campus

for Ageing and Vitality will be

produced for the site in partnership

with Smarter Choices.

Motorcycle Parking Covered and secure parking will be

provided in allocated motorcycle

parking areas.

Public Transport Information The provision of site specific public

transport information will be provided

in partnership with Nexus and all

buildings will have leaflet racks and

noticeboard provision in main

entrances providing public transport

information. Subject to part-funding,

real-time information screens will

provide next service information from

key points on the site.

Signage A way-finding strategy will be drawn

up for the site in partnership with

Living Streets and Sustrans to ensure

the site is pedestrian and cycle

friendly and supports sustainable

transport use.



Walking Safe pedestrian routes including new

footpaths and footways are proposed

within the internal site layout. These

routes will include adequate lighting

and CCTV security along them. These

pedestrian routes will be monitored to

identify whether any further

improvements to lighting, CCTV

Security or other measures are

required.



14. SUMMARY 14.1 This Travel Plan sets out the commitment of Newcastle NHS Trust and

University to encourage a reduction in car journeys and sets out

measures which it is believed will encourage travel via a variety of

modes by all patients, staff and visitors within the proposed

development.

14.2 It is considered that these measures when added to the existing

facilities and measures already put in place will help to reduce the

reliance on the private car and meet the objectives of the Travel Plan.

14.3 The Trust and University’s commitment to seeing a reduction in the

reliance on the private car and the implementation of an effective

Travel Plan is borne out by the measures that have already been

undertaken and the further initiatives proposed.

14.4 The maintenance and development of this Travel Plan will be the

responsibility of the Travel Plan Co-ordinator. On a day-to-day basis

the Travel Plan will be organised by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator,

giving a single point of contact for all Travel issues.

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Atkins

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Tel: +44 (0) 113 205 1200Fax: +44 (0) 113 205 1221