ways2work > Who does it > Birchwood Park
Birchwood Park
Organisational challenge/context
Birchwood Park is located near Warrington and because of its location, and equidistance between the main cities of Manchester and Liverpool, travelling to and from Birchwood Park is very simple. As part of their commitment to sustainability, Birchwood Park actively encourage and support those who wish to journey in a more environmentally responsible manner.
Intervention(s)
The Travel Management Plan (in place since 2001) includes support for cyclists (via cycle parking, multiple shower/locker facilities and a Bike User Group of around 250 members), a free shuttle bus service from Birchwood railway station and local shopping centre, and discounted bus passes for public service buses.
Birchwood Park also has free cycle hire available during the working day, a dedicated Commuter Centre (containing local walking/cycling maps, timetables and travel information), an online car share scheme and a dedicated travel section on the Birchwood Park website.
To further encourage green travel, Birchwood Park are investing in cycling and walking incentives throughout 2010. This includes development and refurbishment of shower and locker facilities, a cycle repair centre, and cycle parking. There are also route plans being assessed for local walking maps, with support from Urban Walks, to further encourage walking.
Results/benefits
www.birchwoodparkcarshare.co.uk hosts 317 members, saving an estimated 94.4 tonnes of CO2 since January 2009, equating to £64,018.00 and 287,031 miles. With a Bike User Group of around 250 members, cycling has risen to 4% in 2009, and may have increased in the 2010 Travel Survey. Birchwood Park’s cycle database has over 129 cycles logged for use on site, with 115 lockers across the Park and installation of a further 120 lockers planned for 2010. Network Saver bus ticket sales have risen from 20-30 passes per month in 2008 to 100-130 passes per month in 2010. Birchwood Park’s Shuttle bus has also succeeded in carrying passengers on 371,189 trips from 2001 to 2009.