Green Travel Grant

Grants of up to five thousand pounds are on offer to encourage workers to use their cars less.

The cash, from Portsmouth City Council, is aimed at boosting the number of people who get to work by walking, cycling or using public transport - cutting carbon emissions and congestion.

The money is available to any local company or organisation that has developed a travel plan - a strategy for greener travel. The money has to be for a specific project, and the applicant must match the grant with an equal amount.

The cash could be used for projects such as:

installing secure parking, changing facilities and lockers for cyclists
improving on-site footpaths, security or lighting for walkers
helping public transport users - for example, with special kerbs or on-site bus stop facilities
encouraging car-sharing - for example, with car-share parking bays
building facilities for motorcyclists
setting up a system of pool bicycles

Travel plans can:

improve recruitment and retention
improve efficiency - less is time wasted on late arrivals/deliveries
improve a firm's environmental image and record
improve a firm's relationship with the local community
reduce business mileage
reduce fleet management costs
reduce sickness rates - walkers and cyclists are healthier
reduce demand for on-site parking

The money comes from the government, as part of funding for the council's local transport plan. To find out more see the documents below and contact the Travel Officer, Amanda Morris on (023) 9284 1332 or invest@portsmouthcc.gov.uk