TRAVEL PARTNERSHIP FUND

1. As part of the County Council's continued emphasis on the provision of sustainable transport initiatives and the development and implementation of travel plans, a decision was taken to set aside £50,000 (from the £200,000 provisionally identified for Local Transport Plan monitoring initiatives) for a Travel Plan Partnership Fund.

2. The Fund is a pilot initiative and will provide match funding of up to £5,000 per annum and will be promoted to businesses, other organisations and schools with travel plans. It will also be advertised to members of each commuter forum in the county and the Hampshire Economic partnership Transport Working Group. A bid may be submitted for facilities at or adjacent to premises, to assist in reducing the dependency on car travel. An example of the items that a funding bid can be submitted for are detailed below:

· cycle parking

· changing facilities and lockers

· lighting and signage

· pedestrian footway

· on site crossings and dropped kerbs

· on site bus stop facilities including seating, lighting, shelters and timetable holders

· motorcycle parking bays/covered parking

· covered walkways from cycle parking/bus stops

· car share database development/subscription

· marketing and promotional materials

3. The introduction of such facilities accords with the aims of the Local Transport Plan by encouraging the use of more sustainable modes of travel by employees, students, pupils and their parents. In addition, it is hoped that the creation of the Fund will also lead to an increase in the uptake of Travel Plans which are key to a more sustainable future. A report to provide feedback on the scheme and options for the future, should the pilot prove successful, will be submitted during the autumn of 2004.

4. The introduction of the pilot scheme highlights the positive steps the County Council is taking to assist a wide range of businesses, other organisations and schools to adopt sustainable modes of transport.

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