Green travel plan

Introduction
1. The unique mission of Birkbeck College is to provide part-time courses of study to meet the changing educational, cultural and training needs of adults who are engaged in earning their livelihood and to enable adult students from diverse social and educational backgrounds to participate in our courses.

2. The student population of circa 15,000 is composed almost totally of mature part-time students the majority of whom are in employment and attend courses in the evenings and at weekends. The majority of degree courses are taught at the College which occupies a number of buildings in the vicinity of Russell Square, the main building being located on Malet Street and forms part of the University of London's Bloomsbury Precinct.

3. In addition to the courses taught at Birkbeck the Faculty of Continuing Education offers a significant number of courses at other educational institution premises throughout the London area in conjunction with local adult education centres, voluntary organisations and museums. Offering these courses at a number of venues gives students the opportunity to participate in higher education at a location closer to home so reducing the amount of travel required.

Aims
4. The main aim of the College's Green travel plan is actively to promote walking, cycling and the use of public transport for staff, students and visitors travelling to Birkbeck. This plan has been developed in response to Planning Policy Guidance note 13 (PPG13 (transport)) which states that…"The Government want to help raise awareness of the impacts of travel decisions and promote the widespread use of travel plans amongst businesses, schools, hospitals and other organisations."

Review Transport Accessibility
5. The College will review transport accessibility to its own buildings and incorporate green travel information including rail, tube, bus, cycle and pedestrian routes into the prospectuses and brochures issued to staff, students and visitors. The College website will also include these details and links to public interest travel information such as that provided by Transport for London.

Emission/vehicle reduction
6. One of the key objectives of Birkbeck's estate strategy is to ensure that College activity is centred on the main Malet Street site and that all buildings occupied by the College are within easy walking distance of this site thus obviating the need for motorised transport between buildings. The extension of the Malet Street site enabled the College to move more departments onto the main site.

7. The College does not have its own car parking facilities but is allocated car parking permits from the University of London. Permit holders then have acess to the car park spaces on a first come basis.

8. The College supports environmental policies to reduce the number of vehicles in London and has reduced the number of vehicles it owns to one 'all-electric' van. The College will continue to review all options that meet its transport requirements in light of environmental as well as monetary considerations.

Public transport access
9. The College actively encourages the use of public transport by providing interest free annual season ticket loans to staff and allowing flexible working hours between 8:00am and 10pm so many staff do not have to travel at peak times.

10. College policy states that staff should use public transport when travelling on College business and claims for essential travel must be submitted on this basis.

Provisions for cyclists
11. Birkbeck encourages staff and students to cycle to the College by providing cycle storage outside most College buildings and showering and changing facilities in the larger buildings.

12. The plans for the development of the College include thirty-two new bike stands which will be located in a well lit area close to the main building. These new facilities will be an addition to the existing provision of bike stands at the main building that includes a large number of lockable 'bike bins'.

13. The College will work with the Council in association with the University of London to provide information on cycle routes to staff and students and feedback any issues raised by College cyclists for improvements to the current provision of cycle paths.

14. As an alternative to an annual season ticket loan, the Collge offers employees an interest free loan to purchase a bicycle.

Other
15. The College will continue to promote flexible working arrangements for staff whenever possible and academic staff may choose to work from home when their teaching commitments allow, therefore reducing the number of journeys they need to make to the College.

Implementation, Monitoring and Review
16. A designated Green Travel Co-ordinator has been appointed to:
a) Liaise with staff and student bodies, including Birkbeck College Student Union, to examine the use of existing modes of travel and to discuss measures to encourage green travel throughout the College.
b) Ensure that this plan is implemented, monitor progress and report to senior management.
c) Oversee the development of the travel plan.
d) Obtain and maintain commitment and support from senior management, staff and students.
e) Raise awareness of green travel within the College.
f) Act as a point of contact for all staff requiring information.
g) Keep abreast of developments such as the use of electric vehicles to ensure that the College is informed about new opportunities to promote green travel.

17. The Green Travel Co-ordinator will conduct a full review of the green travel plan every two years and will report to members of the Buildings Committee which is chaired by the Vice-Master of Birkbeck. These members will regularly monitor the progress made on implementing the current plan and then review the plan's effectiveness and steer future developments to ensure that the College responds to new opportunities to promote the use of green travel. The co-ordinator will also liaise with the Director of External Relations to ensure green travel is promoted in College prospectuses, brochures and publicity information.

18. The Green Travel Co-ordinator is Tom McCartney, Room 351 Malet Street. Extension 6218.

Adelgazar

Just wanted to let people know how much i have been impressed with a London based taxi company, or as they say "private hire". Carmic Cars is a green taxi company that only uses hybrid cars and then they offset 250% of the emissions. How good is that?
The drivers are really friendly and know where they're going - but I was also seriously impressed with the fact that they have Nintendo’s in every car, free bottled water, magazines and even a plug in for my iPod connecting to the car stereo.
I strongly recommend using Carmic Cars, who I am told will soon be rebranding as Carmic Green.

I recently put together a Green City Guide for London at www.jamblemag.co.uk/travel/london.html its aimed at backpackers rather than residents or luxury travellers, so probably has a few different suggestions than the above guides. There are some great green ways to explore London, like canoe trips along the canals, but it seems London is lacking in eco-friendly budget accommodation.

Thanks!

Walkit is great. The Travel Channel show looks terrific -- any chance the video will be available online?

The Travel Channel's six part series on 'How to Holiday Greener' featured one programme devoted entirely to green travel in London. The following page on their website provides suggestions for how to go green in London: How to Have a Greener Holiday: London. Examples include walkit.com - a website that shows the quickest walking route to the city's attractions, greentomatocars - which runs a fleet of hybrid hire cars, and Acorn House - one of London's first eco-friendly restaurants.

There's also a 'Green Guide to London' - the 7th edition is soon to be published with over 4,000 listings. See: Green Guide for London.

See also: www.london21.org.

Best wishes,
Richard
Editor