Objectives
The project is a joint initiative by local employers, Moving Somerset Forward and the Highways Agency. The three-year project started in October 2009.
Objectives for this project were agreed by the Steering Group as follows.
Outcomes – the things we want to achieve:
- To reduce the volume of cars entering and exiting the site in peak times - primary objective
- To increase car occupancy levels
- To increase cycling to the site
- To increase public transport use to the site
- To reduce traffic demand at J25 of the M5
Outputs – the things that will need to occur to achieve these outcomes:
- To reduce business costs and overheads
- To increase knowledge of travel options and the travel plan through clearly provided information
- To use the area travel plan to support those employers who are working towards improved environment performance
- To seek more efficient management and use of parking provision
- To improve the range of travel options for the site including improved links to Taunton station and access to public transport
- To maintain the economic vitality of the area
- To widen the options for business travel
- To establish a long term group of employers who would work together towards these objectives.
Targets
In conjunction with the steering group at the site, a headline target has been set for steering group members to reduce single occupancy vehicle use (SOV) by 20% over two years. Two-thirds of main-mode car drivers in the 2010 travel survey said they wanted to use their car less. The assumptions behind the targets are summarised as follows:
- Two thirds of those living within 5 miles will be able to walk or cycle once a week or more
- Two thirds of car alone drivers indicating that flexible/home working would encourage them not to use their cars would be able to work from home once a week
- Car sharing will be promoted to lone motorway drivers. 20% of lone drivers wanting to use their car less would be able to car share 5 times a week
- Bus use will have a limited impact
