One of Hull’s most well-known further education providers has been recognised nationally for its work in encouraging and supporting staff and students to walk, cycle and use public transport to get to and from its campus in the heart of the city.
Hull College has received a Good Travel Plan Award from Modeshift STARS.
The college joined the programme earlier this year and has worked closely with Hull City Council to identify opportunities to improve sustainable travel for both staff and students, resulting in improvements to security for onsite cycle parking, the installation of EV charging facilities and plans to introduce a car sharing scheme.
The college is also dedicated to providing sustainable travel options for students at the time of enrolment by promoting BetterPoints Hull – a city-wide initiative that rewards sustainable journeys – through the Hull College student app.
Matthew Blowman, director of facilities and infrastructure at Hull College, said: “We’re delighted to receive this recognition, which reflects our commitment to making sustainable travel an easier and more practical choice for our staff and students.
“As a city-centre college, we have a real opportunity to encourage healthier journeys, reduce our environmental impact and help ease congestion. Working with Hull City Council has helped us turn that ambition into practical improvements, including secure cycle parking and better promotion of the travel options available.
“This award is an important first step, and we’ll continue to build on this progress, listening to our college community and supporting more people to walk, cycle, use public transport or share their journey.”
The national STARS accreditation scheme recognises workplaces that go above and beyond in developing, implementing and monitoring an effective travel plan to bring about a change in travel behaviour and reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys to, from and between sites.
Sites are awarded Approved, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding accreditation.
Hull City Council offers businesses and organisations within the city the chance to join Modeshift STARS for free as part of its strategic objective of promoting active travel choices.
The benefits and advantages of a workplace travel plan, include –
- reductions of single occupancy car journeys, which helps alleviate pressure and congestion across site car parks
- identifying availability and accessibility of viable transport options, based on staff locations
- potential to improve and develop site connectivity links through sustainable and active travel
- improving staff wellbeing, with physical and mental health benefits.
Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure and a lecturer at the college, said: “I’m really pleased to see Hull College receive this recognition. Teaching here, I know just how many people travel to and from the college every day, so giving staff and students more options for how they make those journeys really matters.
“People won’t all travel in the same way, but where we can make walking, cycling or public transport a realistic and convenient choice, that’s good for individuals and good for the city.
“Hull College deserves credit for the work it has put in and it’s a good example of how organisations across the city can help give people more choice in how they get around.”
If your business or organisation would like to take part in the Modeshift STARS programme, contact Caitlynne Adams, travel plan officer (business) at Hull City Council, at: caitlynne.adams@hullcc.gov.uk
