Setting up local travel plan groups : the future of workplace travel planning in urban conurbations? Examples from London, UK.

Any group of organisations that comes together to share resources and ideas for developing and implementing a travel plan (site based Transportation Demand Management plan, known as a Travel Plan in the UK) in their local area could be described as a local travel plan group. Whilst the concept is not new for workplace travel planning in North America, recently several new variants have been established in the UK. This paper reviews and sets out a typology of local travel plan groups, including development zones, area based groups, Transportation Management Associations and Business Improvement Districts. It then highlights the case of London, where, perhaps uniquely, at least one example of each type of group is present. One new example is then examined in more detail to illustrate some of the challenges in setting up a local travel plan group and the way in which they may develop in the future to providing a framework for involving businesses in local transport improvement decisions. Finally, the main characteristics of the London groups and how they differ from their North American predecessors are briefly explored

Local travel plan groups : a practical guide to setting up an effective group

Shortly after becoming Mayor of London in July 2000, Ken Livingstone noted that “the single biggest problem for London and Londoners is the gridlock of our transport system” and that “remedying this will be my first priority”. Although predominantly concerned with the inadequacy of public transport in the capital, the Mayor added that “traffic speeds in central London are now just 10 miles per hour, while congestion costs London business £5 billion per year. Residents and commuters alike suffer from delays, stress, discomfort and the overall poor urban environment.”i To help address these problems,Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging businesses and other organisations to develop workplace travel plans. Developing and implementing a workplace travel plan requires resources and expertise, so it can be easier for businesses located in the same area to get together and form a local travel plan group. This good practice guide sets out the process of establishing a local travel plan group, based on research conducted for the Optimum2 project in the London Borough of Southwark, in which the Better Bankside Travel Plan Group was established (see Acknowledgments for further information)

Table S1

Breeds of cats examined</p

Table S2

Otoscopy and aural cytology findings in cats with ear mites (Otodectes cynotis or Demodex gatoi)</p

Figure S1

Microscopic evidence of Otodectes cynotis infestation</p

Figure S2

Aural cytological findings</p

Figure S3

Cat with generalised exfoliative disease (aetiology unknown) and large numbers of Malassezia organisms noted upon cytology.</p

Table S3

The otoscopic and cytological findings of cats with bacteria found on aural cytology</p