How to create a workplace travel plan

Managing car parking

How you manage car parking is integral to a travel plan. Having a zero-parking policy is generally only an option for businesses located at central locations where public transport is good. On the other hand, providing plentiful free car parking acts as a built-in incentive to drive to work.

However, even those businesses that offer considerable parking provision often struggle to cater for all staff and they may be unable to take on more parking spaces because of the expense involved or a lack of available land. Other unwelcome knock-on effects include rising local congestion.

One way to manage car parking is to implement a needs-based permit system. This allocates guaranteed parking to those with mobility difficulties, those who car share and those with caring responsibilities.

Alternatively, you could charge for car parking. This is unlikely to prove popular with employees unless it is pitched clearly and fairly. You could draw on the fact that the average cost of providing a parking space is around £400 a year.

You could counterbalance charges by offering incentives for not driving into work. These can include entry into prize draws, issuing retail vouchers and salary bonuses. You should be aware that salary bonuses are taxable.

Pay-as-you-go car clubs could be another way of reducing the need for car parking on site. Under these schemes, a range of vehicles are parked in designated places, and these vehicles can be booked by car club drivers as and when needed.

See the page in this guide on promoting car sharing and car clubs.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• The business benefits of creating a travel plan
• How to design a successful travel plan
• Changing your travel culture
• Promoting car sharing and car clubs
• Encouraging the use of public transport
• Encouraging staff to cycle or walk to work
• Managing car parking
• Changing travel behaviour in your business
• Cutting down on the need to travel

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