Green travel plan

The Trust as an organisation is committed to sustainable development and has been recognised by Transportation for Greater Manchester’s accreditation scheme as a regional leader in reducing their impact on the environment.

Having previously achieved gold standard in 2017 and 2018, the Trust Green Travel Plan achieved platinum standard in November 2020. 

Platinum award for championing sustainable travel in the workplace

The platinum standard award was an acknowledgment that the Trust was demonstrating commitment and effort to help improve the health and wellbeing of staff, reduce congestion and improve air quality for everyone in Greater Manchester. 

You can read the Transport for Greater Manchester official award letter to see why we were awarded Platinum standard in the Accreditation for Sustainable Travel.

The Green Travel Plan modal shift target is to aim high with the following targets for 60% of staff using sustainable travel by 2030. 

You can view our Green Travel Plan to find out how we plan to support sustainable travel up to the year 2030.

  • June 2014 – SPF approved with new GTP target of 60% by 2030
  • July 2014 - £245k set aside for new shower / changing facilities
  • October 2014 – GTP communication & marketing strategy developed and in place.
  • October 2014 – Personal travel planning is available to all staff for the foreseeable future through Transport for Greater Manchester.
  • November 2014 - Business case baseline assessments reviewed and amended to include sustainable travel elements.
  • June 2015 – Free Park and ride pilot commences operation from Broughton Park F.C., Hough End
  • June 2015 – 6 new showers and a dry room completed and opened
  • June 2015 - Opening of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC).
  • August 2015 –MCRC new cycling facilities opened: 20 space compound, 6 showers, drying facilities and 180 lockers
  • September 2015 – Local parking restrictions came into force (S106 agreement as part of the application 097417/FO/2011/S1 for the development of the MCRC).
  • February 2016 – Sustainable travel target for 2015 (40%) exceeded at 43.74%.
  • April 2016 – Business case approved to build cycle hub one directly linked to Wilmslow cycleway.
  • June 2016 – Parking eligibility review process commences on permit holders/ waiting list.
  • June 2016 – Tiered car park proposal presentation delivered to neighbourhood forum
  • July 2016 - Park and ride opens at Christie Fields, operating Monday to Friday between 6am to 10pm (planning application 110657/FO/2015/S1).
  • July 2016 – Electric car charge point installed in the staff car park.
  • July 2016 – First phase of cycle hub one opens – 40 space compound.
  • December 2016 – Cycle hub one shower and changing complex opens - includes 5 showers and 38 lockers.
  • December 2016 – Additional shower and 22 lockers added to Cycle Hub 2 shower complex. Total at cycle hub 2 now stands at 7 showers and 28 lockers.
  • March 2017 – The Trust awarded Transport for Greater Manchester Gold standard Travel choices accreditation to celebrate the success of organisations that are considered regional leaders in sustainable travel.
  • March 2017 – 6 members of staff receive Transport for Greater Manchester Travel Champion training.
  • May 2017 - Monthly free bicycle maintenance sessions.
  • May 2017 - Monthly cyclist breakfast - reward cyclist with a voucher for free drink and cereal bar.
  • July 2017 - 2017/2018 £100K sustainable travel fund has been approved for a major marketing exercise that is dynamic, positive and assertive. Funding will also be used for sustainable travel schemes and infrastructure.
  • October 2017 - 'Walking Wednesday' weekly walks launched. A weekly event to create a positive walking experience and raise awareness of the local area.
  • February 2018 - New partnership formed with Ken Foster's Cycle Logic to deliver a package of bicycle services including pool bikes and staff engagement events.
  • April 2018 - New expanded cycle hub 2 opens - The number of secure cycle parking spaces at cycle hub 2 has been expanded from 20 to 100 secure spaces.
  • March 2018 - The Trust awarded Transport for Greater Manchester Gold standard Travel choices accreditation to celebrate the success of organisations that are considered regional leaders in sustainable travel.
  • March 2018 - The Trust awarded Transport for Greater Manchester Travel Choices Active Travel Award for excellence in promoting cycling and walking.
  • March 2018 - Will Blair, Strategic travel management officer at The Christie delvers a presentation to business in Greater Manchester on succeeding in Active Travel
  • April 2018 - The Christie free pool bike scheme launched. Developed in partnership with Ken Foster's Cycle Logic and Transport for Greater Manchester Active Travel Team.
  • July 2018 - Management of staff car parking policy ratified: Eligibility criteria changes include giving low emission vehicles greater priority and increasing reasonable public transport journey time from 40 minutes up to 60 minutes.
  • November 2018 - At the Sustainable Health and Care Campaign Awards the Trust was Highly Commended for Travel and Logistics due to the work on promoting and supporting sustainable travel.
  • May 2019 - At the NHS Sustainability Awards 2019 the Trust was awarded the Public Engagement Award for the GTP. The award was recognition that Public engagement around the GTP was being undertaken to an unprecedented level.
  • March 2020 - Freedom to ride’ - Employees can now purchase a bike up to the value of £6,000. Through the new Cyclescheme staff can access bikes which had often been precluded due to the cost.
  • Electric Pedal: Viable option to those who require assistance on hillier terrain or whose levels of fitness previously made commuting to the Trust by bicycle out of reach. This also supports staff to commute longer distances.
  • Cargo Bicycles: Specially designed to carry children and therefore can assist in undertaking the school run via sustainable travel.
  • Inclusive Cycles: These cycles are designed for people with disabilities and may require specialists to engineer them, which can make them more expensive than other shop brought bicycles.
  • March 2020 - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in staff cycling due to social distancing and quieter roads the Trust implemented the following:
    • Transport for Greater Manchester - NHS Bike Loans and refurbishment (circa 40 free bikes provided to staff).
    • Free bicycle maintenance sessions – double sessions arranged in June and July to increase the number of bikes that could be maintained. A total of forty bikes have received maintenance.
  • March 2021 - Monthly free bicycle maintenance sessions now include additional sessions for spring and summer. 

Internal actions

  • Annual staff travel survey 2021
  • Communication and marketing strategy.
  • Developing new sustainable travel initiatives and infrastructure as part of the Paterson redevelopment proposal.
  • Discuss with potential for online application proposal for corporate offers.
  • Review working from home
  • Monthly free bicycle maintenance sessions to take place onsite. Plus additional sessions for spring and summer.
  • Monthly cyclist breakfast – reward cyclist with a voucher for free drink and cereal bar.
  • Sustainability Manager to continue attending GM Walking Voice Steering Group
  • Partnership with Energy Saving Trust to conduct a business mileage/fleet baselining assessment.  

External actions

  • Doing Buses Differently - franchising scheme for Greater Manchester.
  • Made to Move
  • Bee Network
  • Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 

Last updated: April 2023

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