Plymotion grants up for grabs

Employers across the city are being invited to bid for Government grants to provide either facilities or initiatives to enable their staff to travel to work either by bike, on foot or by bus.

Match funded grants of up to £5,000 are being made available through Plymouth City Council’s Plymotion at Your Workplace programme to provide facilities or initiatives to encourage employees to leave their car at home and make the switch to greener modes of transport.

The grants could be used to provide facilities like improved cycle storage or lockers for staff, or initiatives such as a dedicated car share service or subsidised bus passes.

This is the third time grants have been made available with previous successful applicants using the funding to provide improved cycle parking, enhanced shower and changing facilities, and electric pool bikes.

One of the successful applicants in 2015 was the YMCA Plymouth on Honicknowle Lane. A large number of staff and students of Discovery College cycled to the venue but lacked enough secure cycle storage on site. A manager of YMCA Plymouth commented that “fortunately for me I met the Plymotion team at an event and through discussion with them they were able to point me towards the match funded grant scheme.

“This led to an application which they led me through and gave much assistance. This resulted in a successful application and the eventual erection of a shelter on our premises that is regularly used and has led to an increase number of people cycling to work. This has also provided an additional facility for students and customers to use.

"I am grateful to the Plymotion team as without their assistance and the grant provided we could not have moved this forward.”

Applications will be accepted until Friday 25 August and will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Successful bid proposals must be delivered and invoiced by the end of end of December 2017 so apply early to be in with a chance.

Councillor Patrick Nicholson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Planning and Housing, said “These grants are a great opportunity for businesses to make a positive contribution by encouraging their staff to leave their car at home in favour of using greener, cheaper ways to get to and from work.

“By offering support such as these grants the Council is able to work in partnership with businesses to deliver reductions in congestion and pollution while encouraging healthier, more active lifestyles.”

For further information on the scheme and to download an application form visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/sustainabletravelgrants