TRAVEL PLAN MONITORING REPORT LONDON GATEWAY LOGISTICS HUB

Transcription

1 TRAVEL PLAN MONITORING REPORT LONDON GATEWAY LOGISTICS HUB January 2017

2 Contents Page 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview The Development Planning Context Reporting Requirements 3 2. Staff Movements 2.1 Scope Methodology and Data Gathering Results Conclusions 10 APPENDICES Appendix A Staff Travel Questionnaire notification Appendix B Conclusions and Recommendations Spreadsheet Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

3 1. Introduction 1.1 Overview This presents the results of monitoring of staff travel patterns at the DP World London Gateway Port (the Port) for the 12 month period ending October 2016 (Reporting Period 3). The report considers travel related to the movements of staff directly employed in the operational use of the Port and the overall administration of the Port and associated Logistics Park development. During the reporting period, operational use was limited to Berths 1 and 2 of the Port. As of October 2016 a total of 469 staff were directly employed by the DP World London Gateway (DPWLG) group companies (i.e. Port operations and Port and Park development and administrative teams). The movements of staff associated with the construction of the Port is beyond the scope of the Travel Plan monitoring regime. 1.2 The Development The Port, is located at the former Shellhaven oil refinery site to the northern banks of the Thames Estuary in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Once fully developed the Port shall provide six shipping berths providing additional deep sea shipping and container handling facilities with an annual throughput of 3.5 million TEU (twenty foot equivalent containers). In total it is anticipated that the Port shall give rise to the creation of approximately 1,900 direct jobs. The development of the Port, alongside the London Gateway Logistics Park (the Park), shall offer significant efficiency savings, resulting from the ability to ship, store and process goods at a site within very close proximity to the significant consumer markets of the London and South East area. This portcentric approach, along with significant opportunity for the transportation of goods via rail and transhipment, will result in an estimated annual reduction of 65 million HGV miles off the UK s road network equating to approximately 2000 HGV s per day. Construction of the Port commenced in 2008 with the first two berths becoming operational in November 2013 and May 2014 respectively. A third berth is expected to become operational during Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

4 1.3 Planning Context The Port is subject of a Harbour Empowerment Order (HEO), which was made on the 2 nd May 2008 and came into force on the 16 th May It is also subject to an agreement pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 securing compliance with the London Gateway Harbour Empowerment Order Travel Plan dated May 2003 (Ref: APP/0/103). Requirements for monitoring of operational traffic movements are set out therein. 1.4 Reporting Requirements The above mentioned Travel Plan sets out provisions for the formation and operation of a Travel Plan Committee (TPC) comprising the following member parties: London Gateway Port Limited (the Harbour Authority) London Gateway Park Development Limited The Local Highways Authority (Thurrock Council) Essex County Council Highways England (formerly the Highways Agency) A constitution for the establishment and operation of the TPC was initially agreed during early 2008, since which the TPC has been meeting on a 6 monthly basis. Revisions to the constitution were agreed during late 2013 as part of the development of the Travel Plan relating to the Park. This established agreement regarding the standardised timing of monitoring information and committee meetings to facilitate a more efficient decision-making process. The Travel Plans establish obligations for the Port and Park developments to provide funding to the TPC as the developments are rolled out. Such funds are to be utilised by the TPC to promote increased use of sustainable modes of transport for staff and freight movements associated with London Gateway. Protocols for the holding and allocation of such funds are set out in the revised TPC constitution. This monitoring report, and subsequent reports, shall inform decision making regarding the allocation of such funds. It is the intension that this report informs discussions at the next TPC meeting, which is proposed to be held during January Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

5 2. Staff Movements 2.1 Scope As discussed in Section 1.1, this report considers the travel behaviour of staff associated with the operation of the Port and the administration of both the Port and the Park. The latter includes, members of the Engineering team overseeing construction activities, in addition to members of the Human Capital, Health and Safety, Environmental, Facilities Management and Port and Park Commercial teams. At the time of publication of this report 469 staff are directly employed by the DPWLG group companies on site. Approximately 50 of these are based at the No.1 London Gateway building (west of the park site) with the balance based at the port Terminal and Amenities Buildings (to the east of the Port site). 2.2 Methodology for Data Gathering Information relating to staff travel patterns and choices was gathered using a Staff Travel Questionnaire (STQ) comprising 31 questions. The STQ also provided staff with opportunity to provide additional comments and feedback. The STQ was launched on the 31 st October 2016 for a period of 19 days, closing at 4pm on the 18 th November. The questionnaire was accessed via the London Gateway Port Travel Plan website The site Travel Plan Coordination team (TPCo) advertised the STQ via regular e- mails and posters placed on notice boards and at key locations around the site buildings. The STQ was also advertised via the information screens that exist at key locations within the Terminal, Amenities and No.1 London Gateway buildings. To further encourage a high rate of return, all staff that completed and returned a STQ were offered the opportunity to claim a free breakfast from the staff canteen. Details of this offer are set out on the notification, a copy of which is provided at Appendix A. Following the close of the survey period the information received via completed STQ s was analysed to obtain the results presented in Section 2.3 below. Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

6 2.3 Results In total 179 of the total 469 directly employed site staff completed and returned a STQ representing a rate of return of 38.2% (2015: 32.9%). The raw data results are presented as follows. Where relevant the results from the previous reporting period ( Reporting Period (RP) 2 comprising the period to October 2015) are provided to allow changes in travel patterns to be identified. Distance of Journey to Work The proportions of staff that live within the stated distance ranges from London Gateway are indicated by Chart 2.1. Exact figures are provided within Table 2.1 Chart 2.1 Proportion of staff living within stated distances 0-1 Miles 1-2 Miles 2-5 Miles 5-10 Miles Over 10 Miles Table Proportion of staff living within stated distances Percentage Distance Reporting Period 3 (RP3) Reporting Period 2 (RP2) 0 1 miles miles miles miles Over 10 miles Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

7 Mode of Travel In total, of the staff that completed the travel survey, 27% (RF2: 17%) indicated that they engage in car sharing for some journeys to work. This percentage however does not represent the overall level of car sharing, given that many staff only engage in car sharing for some journeys, utilising other modes for the remainder of their travel. Instead the overall level of take up of each mode, taking account of proportional use, is indicated by Chart 2.2 and Table 2.2. Chart 2.2 Take up of each mode of transport for journeys to work Cycle Bus/Train Car/Motorbike Car Share Combination Table Take up of each mode of transport for journeys to work Percentage Mode RP3 RP2 Walk 3.14% 0.88% Cycle 3.34% 3.87% Bus/Train 1.21% 1.49% Car Share 13.26% 8.96% Combination of Modes 3.54% 0.81% Total 24.49% 16.01% Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

8 Car Share/Car Share Database In total, of the staff that completed the travel survey, 27% (RP2: 24%) indicated that they are registered with the London Gateway Car Share database ( However, the car share database actually lists registrations from 173 staff (equivalent to 37% of the overall staff base). Of those staff who indicated they are registered with 23% indicated that the database has identified suitable car share partners. Approximately 7% of staff that completed the survey indicated that they are a member of a registered car share Budi team. In fact, records indicate that 18 Budi teams are formally registered comprising 39 staff. This equates to just over 8% of the overall staff base. The data presented in Table 2.2 indicates that car sharing is utilised for just over 13% (RP2: 9%) of journeys to work. In terms of factors which affected the decision of staff to car share, reduced travel costs was most influential followed by the security of the Guaranteed Ride Home scheme, use of the Priority Parking Bays and social benefits (i.e. meeting new people). When asked for suggestions as to how the Car Share system may be improved responses included the following: Ensuring those who are in a Budi team are scheduled on the same shift pattern Flexible working hours Improved awareness regarding the system and the incentives package It is to be noted that in late 2016 the London Gateway Port shift managers reviewed the shift rota. As part of the review priority was given to use reasonable endeavours to ensure staff wishing to car share are scheduled on consistent shift patterns. Since this initiative has been implemented a further 13 staff have joined/formed Budi teams. Public Transport Aside from as part of a multi-modal journey, opportunities to travel to site via public transport were limited to the 300 service running between Basildon rail station and London Gateway. The 300 service, which previously routed via the Gate 3 site entrance, was re-routed in June 2015 to provide service to the No.1 London Gateway building (No.1 LG) and the operational Park B8 building. However, the 300 service was subsequently suspended in July 2016 due to very low patronage. It is the intention to review the status of the 300 service early in 2017 (noting the proposed opening date of the UPS building in September 2017, which will have a staff base of approximately 450 people). Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

9 Walking and Cycling The survey results indicate that walking and cycling journeys represent 3.14% (RP2: 0.88%) and 3.34% (RP2: 3.87%) of all journeys respectively. Given the relative remoteness of the London Gateway site from residential areas, the low proportion of walking journeys is expected and as such the survey did not investigate the reasons for this further. The STQ highlighted a number of factors which might act as an incentive to staff to cycle to work and asked staff to indicate which would positively influence their decision. The results are indicated in Table 2.3. Table 2.3 Measures which positively influence decision to cycle to work Measure Proportion of responders Implementation of a bike hire scheme 4.5% Free cycle training 1.9% Free cycle servicing 3.9% Better cycle to/from work facilities 27.6% In addition, staff were asked for suggestions as to how cycling amenity to/from London Gateway could be improved. 32 responses were received citing measures as indicated in Table 2.4: Table 2.4 Suggestions regarding how cycling for access to LG can become more amenable Suggestion Responses Network Improvements (particularly improved lighting and 53% surfacing on A1014 cycleway) Reasonable priced bike hire 6% Direct link from A1014 to Canvey 3% Improved cycle parking facilities at Gate 3 25% Bikes allowed on trains in peak periods 3% Direct cycle access to Port buildings 19% In particular staff were asked if the existing sheltered cycle parking facilities were suitable. The response was 56% yes and 44% no. It is understood that those responding no are referring to the facilities at the Gate 3 parking area (utilised by staff based at the Port Terminal and Amenities Buildings). The RP1, RP2 and RP3 surveys identified issues relating to the poor quality (in particular poor lighting) of cycle facilities on the A1014 between the Sorrells and the Gate 3 site entrance, in addition to poor cycle parking provision at the Gate 3 area. These matters have been identified as a disincentive to cycling for journeys to work. To address this, in March 2015 it was clarified that staff based at the Port Buildings are welcome to utilise the No.1 LG pedestrian and cycle facilities for access to site, transferring to the Port Buildings using the on-site shuttle bus Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

10 service. However, issues relating to the availability of the on-site shuttle bus for transfer between No.1 LG and the Port Buildings remain a material disincentive to use of the No.1 LG cycle facilities. The Gate 3 parking area is intended to be a temporary facility and DP World London Gateway are actively working to identify proposals for a longer terms solution, accessed via the main site access road and Park internal infrastructure roads. Personal Journey Planning Service In association with Liftshare, London Gateway has established a Personal Journey Planning service (MyPTP). This is available to all staff upon request and provides a spreadsheet comparison of the various available modes of transport based on a number of factors including journey time and cost. It also provides route information and, in terms of public transport, details of available services. Information regarding the MyPTP service has been provided to the Human Capital department for inclusion within staff inductions. The scheme is also advertised via the new Port Travel Plan website (see details below). However, the Port Travel Plan Coordination team did not receive any requests for a Personal Journey Plan during the RP3 period. Travel Plan and Travel Plan Coordination Service To assist raise awareness of Travel Planning measures and the Port Travel Plan Coordination services the Port Travel Plan website was launched in August The travel survey indicated that 66% of staff are aware of the website and how to access it. This is considered a relatively high level given the limited time that website was live before the survey was completed. Staff were also asked to rate the usefulness of the website. 92 staff provided a rating with results as indicated in Table 2.5 Table 2.5 Usefulness of Port Travel Plan website Rating Percentage of Responses Excellent 9.8% Good 71.7% Average 17.4% Poor 1.1% In addition to the launch of the website, a number of additional measures have been implemented to raise awareness. In particular, over the summer of 2016, the Port Travel Plan Coordinator was attending some of the Port terminal operatives morning tool box talks to discuss Travel Planning with Port staff. As a result the staff travel survey has indicated that awareness of the coordination service has increased to 66.5% in RP3 (51.3%: RP2). Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

11 2.4 Conclusions In terms of positive outcomes, the survey indicates that the total use of sustainable modes in the RP3 period has increased over the previous period by 8.5% to 24.5%. This suggests that take up of sustainable modes is now significantly ahead of the target level indicated in the Port Travel Plan (24.5% in Year 3 compared to a target of 25% in Year 6), a remarkable result given the current lack of any public transport connection to the site (discussed further below). Awareness of the Travel Plan measures and coordination services has also increased significantly by over 15% to (67%) in the RP3 period. The new Port Travel Plan website, which was launched in August 2016, is considered to have contributed to this. At the time of the staff travel survey the website had only been operational for two months, yet 66% of staff indicated they were aware of it. It is also encouraging that 82% of staff rated the usefulness of the website as good or excellent, with only 1% rating is below average. In terms of challenges identified by the survey, the absence of a bus service connecting London Gateway to local centres and transport interchanges has significantly inhibited use of public transport for journeys to/from London Gateway, with total public transport/multi modal journeys to work limited to approximately 4% in total. With the proposed commencement of operational use of (a) the Plot 4010 building by Lidl in February 2017 and (b) the UPS distribution centre in September 2017 it is considered that a significant opportunity exists to reestablish the 300 bus service or similar. It is recommended that this matter is considered during the Travel Plan Committee meeting which is scheduled for 24 th January The other predominant challenge is that faced by staff wishing to cycle to work, who are based within the Port Terminal or Amenities buildings. Access to these buildings requires staff to travel to the Gate 3 or No.1 London Gateway parking areas where they are transferred to their place of work via the site minibus service. However, visits to the No.1 London Gateway area by the site minibus are infrequent and cycle access facilities to the Gate 3 area are considered to be poor, particularly in the winter months where the lack of street lighting acts as a significant disincentive to cycling. Evidence suggests therefore that there is currently a material level of suppressed cycling take up. Based on the results of the staff travel survey, recommendations with respect to the various modes of sustainable transport are provided within the Table provided at Appendix B. Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

12 APPENDIX A Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

13 From: Matt Abbott Sent: 25 October :46 To: London Gateway Subject: CLAIM YOUR FREE BREAKFAST - STAFF TRAVEL SURVEY 2016 Message sent on behalf of Trevor Hutchinson, Head of Planning & Port Travel Plan Coordinator Dear all, It is that time of year again when we seek to gather information regarding staff travel patterns. The information we collect helps to inform discussions with the various public transport operators and local authorities, with the end-goal of improving accessibility to DP World London Gateway, by all modes of transport. The 2016 staff travel survey will launch on Monday 31 st October. This year access to the survey is via the Port Travel Plan website To complete the survey simply go to the website and click on the Staff Survey tab on the Home page (bottom right of the page if you re viewing it on a desktop, or at the bottom of the page if you re viewing on a mobile). You will then be prompted to answer a number of questions. Anyone who completes the survey will be eligible to claim a free breakfast at the Amenities Building or No.1 London Gateway canteens. Breakfast options are as follows: Amenities Building (served up to 10:45am) Sausage or Bacon sandwich and a hot drink Danish or Croissant and hot drink No.1 London Gateway (served up to 10:30am) Sausage sandwich and hot drink Danish or Croissant and hot drink Staff who have completed a survey before 4pm one day, will be able to claim their free breakfast from the next day. Staff returning a survey after 4pm will be able to claim their free breakfast from the 2 nd day thereafter. Don t forget to enter your staff identification number to be eligible to claim. This can be found in the top right hand corner of your ID pass. The deadline for submission of the Staff Travel Survey will be 4pm on Friday 18 th November. If you have any queries please contact the Port Travel Plan coordinator (Trevor Hutchinson) at LGTravelplanner@londongateway.com Best wishes, Trevor Hutchinson Head of Planning M: +44 (0) T: +44 (0) E: trevor.hutchinson@dpworld.com

14 DP World London Gateway No.1 London Gateway Stanford-le-Hope Essex SS17 9DY UK londongateway.com Safety is sacrosanct; it will not and cannot be compromised.

15 APPENDIX B Ref: TH/DPW/TP/

16 Initiative Year 1 Target Tear 6 Target Reporting Period Actual Conclusions/Issues Identified Recommendations Further promotion of the benefits of car sharing would be beneficial Car Share 1.2 persons/car 1.25 persons/car 1.07% 5% non car 7.5% non car 11.23% non car Public Transport Walking and Cycling Process of claiming for a guaranteed ride home has been relaxed but the formal written protocol has yet to be amended and disseminated to staff. This needs to be completed Issues have been identified regarding unpermitted use of Car Share bays and continued vigilance and enforcement by Security staff is required, particularly in relation to the Gate 3 parking area Encouraging results but further growth considered to be limited by lack of direct public transport links to site and poor quality cycle access facilities to the Gate 3 parking area. Poor quality cycle access facilities to the Gate 3 parking area and poor connectivity by site shuttle bus to No.1 London Gateway is supressing use of cycling as a means of travel to/from LG TPCo team to discuss a spring/summer 2017 promotional event with Liftshare TPCo team to amend Guaranteed Ride Home protocol and disseminate to staff Clamping enforcement of Car Share bays to continue TP committee to consider holding further discussion with bus service providers to re-instate direct bus connectivity to London Gatway SLH rail station improvement scheme being progressed but further measures need to be developed to address the impacts of the level crossing on bus accessibility to the rail station DPWLG team to continue to explore alternatives to the Gate 3 parking area for use by port staff, which do not rely on the A1014 east of the Sorrells for access Incorporate into a promotional event to be held spring/summer 2017 Reitterate to Human Capital team the need to highlight within staff inductions Travel Plan Coordination N/A N/A 67% aware of service Awareness improving but still below desired levels Port Travel Plan Coordinator to continue to attend morning 'Toolbox talks' to meet terminal Operatives in person and discuss any issues Continued development and updating of the Port Travel Plan website