Positive Response to Green Travel Plan Survey

The Highland Council is working with HITRANS, the strategic transport authority for the Highlands and Islands, to prepare a green travel plan for the Highlands with the aim of rationalising car use, reducing Co2 emissions and transport costs throughout its services.

The plan is being shaped by the results of a survey at key Council offices to provide information and feedback on existing travel issues and patterns. A 75% response rate was achieved. 

A green travel plan will enable the Council to reduce its carbon emissions and contribute towards the production and implementation of a Climate Change Strategy for Highland. To date the Council has reduced emissions in Council Buildings by 16% since 2004/05 through efficient energy management. The anticipated reductions in Co2 emissions from a working travel plan will assist the Council to meet its expected overall target of 5% reduction in emissions from staff travel by 2010.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of the Planning Environment and Development Committee,  said: “It is great to see this initiative being so well received. It is vitally important that we all take an active role in encouraging energy efficiency and green travel and we are showing that we can set an example for others to follow. We will work hard to keep the issues at the top of our agenda.”

A prize draw took place to encourage as many staff as possible to complete the survey, with the owners of Abstract Restaurant in Inverness donating prizes. The winners were, Clare Mackenzie, a clerical assistant, Planning and Development Service, Inverness and James Bain, acting head of business support, Social Work, Inverness, who were presented with their prizes by Councillor Hendry during last week’s Energy Saving Week.

Barry Larsen, director of Abstract restaurant, said:  "We were happy to support The Highland Council in carrying out this important research and I am very pleased to hear the survey attracted such a good response.  We look forward to welcoming the prize-winners to Abstract."