Travelling Smart

Southampton Science Park held a Sustainable Transport Day on Wednesday 16th March to draw attention to the range of travel options available to those working at the Science Park, aside from commuting in petrol or diesel cars. The event supported Southampton’s aim to be a leader in the green economy, as set down in its Green City Charter.

This day saw representatives from our local authority, transport providers and support services, as well as our resident community come together to discuss and promote greener, healthier, and cheaper ways to get to and from work and travel around our city.

Participants included: My Journey advice and grants, Enterprise Car Club vehicle rentals, Octopus electric vehicle purchase, The Hub Cycleworks bicycle sales, Zedify sustainable delivery services, Love to Ride cycling community, Bike Doctor cycle servicing and Xelabus bus services.

Sustainable transport is any form of getting around that supports the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy through the use of renewable or regenerated energy. Walking, cycling and public transport are all excellent examples of sustainable transport. These journeys have a positive impact on tackling air pollution and congestion across our area, while boosting our individual wellbeing, fitness and wallets.

Members of Southampton City Council’s Workplace Travel Network convened here on the same day.

Jane Holt, Business Development Director at the Science Park, was a guest speaker at this meeting. She highlighted the dual challenges faced by the Science Park in managing the number of cars coming onto the site, and in encouraging and enabling people to travel more sustainably, not easy when resident staff come from such a wide geographical catchment area.

Fellow speaker, Professor Clinton Styles, Managing Director of the Future Towns Innovation Hub, added: “This was a really interesting meeting. I had some really good discussions, and the presentations gave me much food for thought.”

Ursula Dowd, Sustainable Transport Officer – Workplaces, Southampton City Council, said: “A massive thank you to Southampton Science Park for all your support leading up to and on the day for our Workplace Travel Network event. 100% success!”

Despite unseasonably wet weather, spirits and ambition were not dampened, as Southampton Science Park’s Operations Manager, Stuart Perry, explained. “I understand that the Workplace Travel Network meeting had a record number of attendees, and I witnessed several conversations around our excellent facilities and what we are delivering here at the Science Park.

“Despite the weather, exhibiting organisations commented on the unique ability that the event provided them to collaborate and showcase a wide range of sustainable transport solutions in one place with one single aim: to drive change.”

There are still plenty of ways to get involved. Find out how you can access support and grants to drive change at My Journey, learn from other organisations and experts via the Workplace Travel Network, and win prizes while you commute with Love to Ride.