Is your business going the extra mile to cut congestion?

Somerset County Council is giving organisations across the county the chance to show off their commitment to sustainable travel, through the “Smarter Travel Management Awards 2009”. 

The awards will recognise businesses that work hard to cut transport costs, and minimise staff time spent travelling, and reduce carbon emissions generated by travel. Businesses taking measures to promote healthier and greener ways to travel such as walking and cycling can help to improve the health and productivity of their workforce.

The awards form part of the council’s Moving Forward initiative, which works with businesses to encourage sustainable travel and help reduce the levels of pollution and congestion in Somerset.

Examples of travel management include: having flexible policies to enable employees to use public transport; providing pool cars or bicycles for business use; managing car parking and cycle parking, and providing visitors with information on travel choices.

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member - Environment, said: “In Somerset, there are more than 50,000 workplaces employing over 220,000 people, creating the potential for a lot of travel. These awards are an excellent opportunity for Somerset County Council to recognise those businesses that are doing their bit to reduce congestion and pollution in the county by cutting down on unnecessary car journeys.”

The awards are open to organisations in the public and private sector, of all sizes including self-employed and small businesses, voluntary organisations and groups, and local initiatives such as town centre groups and forums.

The closing date for entries is 2 November 2009.

For more information and to enter, go to the Smarter Travel Management Awards page.