Leading The Way: The West Suffolk Hospital Travel Plan Strategy
The need to manage travel demand through the development of robust travel plan strategies is now evident across the NHS.
Whether it be to address car parking demand issues, to contribute to the CSR agenda, promote healthy travel or simply to contribute towards environmental policy; travel planning has become a key element of many NHS Trusts Operational Plans/Estates Strategies.
Whilst often considered to be more complex than a normal workplace travel plan, if developed and implemented effectively travel planning within the NHS can deliver real benefits to a wide range of stakeholders, including not only the trust itself, but also staff, visitors, patients and the wider community.
Having recognised the need for a pro-active travel plan and car park management strategy West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds sought to bring in best practice expertise and selected Travel Plan Services as their delivery partner.
TPS worked closely with the Trust to comprehensively review travel patterns, demands, gaps in service provision and
on-site infrastructure. This data was then translated into the West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust Travel Plan, which provides a structure to travel planning activity and will form the basis for promoting and encouraging sustainable travel over the coming years.
With extensive experience of travel plan implementation TPS were able to ensure that the strategy is challenging yet achievable …. not a box ticking exercise, but a genuine attempt to manage and reduce travel through proactive and targeted travel plan management.
