Transport

The demand for business travel is greater than ever. People set great store by the mobility and freedom that cars bring, however motorists can and must contribute to controlling carbon dioxide emissions.

The Company has sought methods to control carbon dioxide emissions from Company transport activities by:

Reducing corporate transport mileage wherever practical.
Introducing revisions to the corporate transport fleet which now comprises 211 cars.
Northern Rock has again conducted a review of our car fleet criteria and with effect from January 2004, our suppliers are now Ford and Renault who each have high environmental specifications in their products.
- Ford environmental
- Renault environmental
Downsizing of cars available in the Corporate Fleet list.
Introduction of a cash allowance in lieu of the provision of a company car to car custodians.

Corporate Travel Policy

A requirement for car sharing on business journeys, where appropriate.
Restriction on the use of air travel.
Ongoing commitment to a Head Office Transport Management Plan.
Implementing a Work/life balance system
Providing secure cycling bays and facilities for cyclists, together with the establishment of a Cycle Users Group
Establishing a cycle users group.
Consultations with local council and transport operators to improve public transport facilities.
Provision of car-share scheme at Head Office sites.
Use of specialist vehicles for corporate journeys.
Increasing staff awareness for corporate journeys.
Offering discounted, interest free season ticket loans to staff.
The replacement of Head Office delivery vans with electric powered vehicles.

Introducing revisions to the recording of company business mileage for reporting purposes

Expense claim forms require car mileage to be separated into size of car engine and fuel type used on a mandatory basis.

In addition to contributing to the control of CO2 emissions resulting from Corporate transport, the revisions are contributing to cost savings within the Company.

Due to our growing business, the need for alternative systems of communication will be promoted within the Company. The system for using conference calls within the company has been reviewed and all Head Office meeting rooms have conference call facilities installed.

The extended facilities in the Head Office recycling unit, include the installation of charging units for electric powered site vehicles to service the new building development.

Two electric powered vehicles have been purchased and are now in use, servicing both the existing and extended Head Office development site.
Northern Rock added the first dual fuel vehicle to the car fleet in June 2004. The Company received a grant of £800 towards the purchase of the vehicle from the Energy Savings Trust via Transport Energy's PowerShift programme. A further dual fuel van was ordered in January 2005 and the Company received a further £800 grant towards the vehicle purchase via the Powershift programme.

The vans are Ford Transit Connect short wheelbase with dual fuel (petrol and LPG) for use on and around the Head Office Gosforth site.
Environmental benefits resulting from the use of the vehicles have included the reduction of noise emissions on both the site and to our immediate neighbours.
Corporate benefits have included reduced running and maintenance costs.

Our car use is still heavily centred in the small-medium engine band and this has resulted in the CO2 emissions from car use per employee being maintained at 0.06 tonnes per employee in 2005.

CO2 emissions from Air/Rail have similarly been maintained at 0.04 tonnes per employee.

Corporate travel patterns have changed significantly following the increased use of conference call facilities which now exist in all Head Office meeting rooms, previous revisions to travel policy and a heightened awareness of corporate travel impacts. (see graph below).

Overall, the CO2 emissions per employee arising from corporate transport have decreased from 0.096 tonnes to 0.093 tonnes.

Progress on Transport Plan

The Corporate Transport Management Plan, implemented in 1999, is well established. Signs of change in attitude to travelling to work were highlighted in the staff travel survey conducted in the summer of 2004.

Comparisons between this survey and that of 1999 showed a decrease in car drivers of 2.7%, with a 3% increase in car passengers, demonstrating a reduction in single occupancy car journeys. The numbers of staff using public transport and choosing to walk to work have also increased by 2.8%.

The Plan recognises the significant impact that our operations may have on the surrounding areas, the desire to control CO2 emissions and the influence employers can have on the mode of transport chosen by employees.

The document is reviewed in line with new initiatives and performance measurement of existing schemes. Publicity the plan and initiatives are promoted via the Company Intranet and regular publicised events. The Staff Induction Programme includes details of the Transport Plan and offers suggestions of alternative modes of travel and their benefits. The company is represented at the Regent Centre Transport Group organised by Newcastle City Council and contributes to the Ground Floor Partners Transport 2000 initiative.

Head Office Car Share

A car share scheme for the Head Office Gosforth site was established in 2002. On-site car parking is allocated to employees, typically there are a minimum of three persons travelling together and single car occupancy is reduced. The Company is committed to care sharing and the minimum qualifying criteria is regular reviewed. There are 100 car share groups established at 31 December, 2005.

Flexible Working Hours

The Company operates a work/life balance ethos, which includes a flexible working hour system. This policy means that all staff, including management grades, can enjoy the maximum flexibility that their role will allow. This helps to reduce traffic congestion at peak times and also reduces staff travel as the system creates the opportunity for staff to take up to two days off every calendar month.

Parking Management

Departments allocate parking bays on the basis of business need and staff are encouraged to donate their space to other when they are going to be absent so the utilisation is kept as high as possible. The bays are monitored daily.

Awareness of Public Transport Optionsn

Discounted and interest free season ticket loans are offered to all staff. Public transport advice clinics are operated by Nexus to raise the profile of public transport availability

Cyclist Facilities

There are 33 covered cycle parking spaces on site at Head Office for staff to use and a drying room on site for cyclists clothing.

The Company has a Bicycle User Group (BUG) to further promote cycling within the Head Office Site and a successful Cycle Works Promotion was again held in 2005 to educate staff of the health benefits of choosing this method of travel.

Drying Room

The room is heated all day and offers secure ventilated locker storage for up to 56 people.