Green travel plan and car parking strategy

by David Duncan

As more building work on the city campus is taken forward, it is inevitable that a number of open-air car parks will no longer be available to staff and students. At its June 2004 meeting, the University Court sought to address this by adopting a green travel plan and integrated parking strategy.

The plan aims to reduce significantly the number of single occupant car journeys; to encourage staff and students to consider alternative means of transport; to replace a number of the existing car parking spaces with underground and multi-storey provision; and to fund this provision through stepped increases in car parking charges. By 2008-09, it is expected that the charges will be in line with those already applying on the Ninewells Campus.

The plan was drawn up in collaboration with Dundee City Council, which sees the plan as an essential requisite for approval of all current and future planning submissions by the University. It sets out four specific aims, which should be achieved over the next three years:

• Reduce the number of single occupant car journeys by 10%;

• Increase the commuter walking in DD1, 2 and 3 by 20% and cycle journeys by 10%;

• Reduce car use for University business trips by 10%; and

• Increase use of public transport by 15%.

The plan will be implemented progressively in partnership with the City, and in consultation with members of the University community and its neighbours.

A daily charge rate system using pay and display machines will be introduced, but season tickets for daily users will also be available.

Information on possible alternatives to single occupancy car use are set out in the plan, which is available on the University web-site at: www.dundee.ac.uk/estates/greentravel.htm