A Travel Plan is a package of measures and policies developed by an employer to encourage staff to use sustainable transport modes and to reduce reliance on the car, especially single occupancy car use.

The Travel Plan promotes the use of active travel (walking and cycling), public transport and car sharing. The focus of the Travel Plan is on the commuting and business travel elements within an organisation.

As well as contributing to Government policies, including The National Transport Strategy, Scotland's Sustainable Development Strategy and Scotland's Climate Change Programme Review there are other reasons for having a Travel Plan, which may be more specific to particular organisations.

These could be:

• Staff recruitment and retention issues;
• Parking problems;
• Congestion at peak times;
• Increasing cost of providing car parking areas.

If your organisation intends to expand in the future, you may have to develop and implement a Travel Plan to comply with planning permission. Planning Advice Note 75 and Scottish Planning Policy 17 provide guidelines, information and advice regarding Travel Plans and planning consent.

• A staff benefit - staff could save money because it is easier for them not to use their car;
• Increased productivity generated by a healthier, more motivated workforce;
• Reduced sickness absence, because employees are participating in regular physical activity which is beneficial to their health;
• Cost savings from reduced business travel expenses;
• It demonstrates that your organisation is a forward-thinking employer;
• Reduced congestion;
• Reduced demand for car parking which could mean substantial savings - the annual cost of a car parking space has been estimated at between £300 and £500;
• Reduced demand for car parking will also result in better access for employees, visitors and deliveries;
• The Travel Plan may be linked to one of the Environmental Management Systems with a view to achieving certification to ISO 14001;
• Environmental benefits to the local community;
• Good PR for suppliers, visitors and the local community.