Group newsletter aimed at large employers in SW Herts (LSTF funded programme)

1. VOLUME 1
ISSUE 2
November 2013
Inside This Issue
BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS for Business Newsletter
BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS (BHBI) is an integrated package of transport measures in
southwest Hertfordshire that is delivering a step-change in sustainable
transport provision, far beyond that which could be achieved through
1
Message from Terry Douris
2
BigHerts Network Event
employees and residents to travel more easily around Watford, Hemel
2
LSTF Half Term Report
Hempstead and St Albans, and leads the way on supporting economic
3
Recent Roadshows
3
Diary Dates
conventional
transport
funding.
The
package
enables
businesses,
growth and reducing carbon emissions.
This is the third edition of our Business newsletter – please continue to send us
ideas and input. All methods of contacting us are shown on the back page.
In this issue, we reflect on our inaugural network meeting in October and
give a ‘half term’ report on our programmes funded by the Local
Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).
Message from Terry Douris
Terry Douris is Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways
and Waste Management:
“I was really pleased with the turnout and reaction to the first
BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS for Business network event on 23rd October. The theme of
Active Travel – Good for Business in Hertfordshire, generated a lot of interest
“BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS is
starting to stimulate real
business debate and
changes in behaviour”
and discussion. Thanks again to Renewable Energy Systems (RES) for hosting
the event and to the various speakers. I am looking forward to meeting
many of you again at KPMG’s office at Clarendon Road, Watford on 31 st
January.”

2. PAGE 2
BHBI NEWSLETTER
BigHerts Network Event
More than 20 people attended the first network event on 23rd October at the
RES office at Kings Langley. Organisations represented included Buildings
Research Establishment, West Herts NHS Hospitals Trust, Warner Brothers,
KPMG, RSK, Freedom Communications, Intu Watford, Serena Software and
Camelot.
The main theme of Active Travel was covered in a varied range of
presentations. The employee health benefits were outlined by Debbie
Active Travel – Good for
Business in Hertfordshire
Fairclough of Business in the Community, whilst rail/bike users were the focus
for First Capital Connect and Harry Scrope of Brompton Dock (pictured).
Kate Jenkins of Watford Cycle Hub talked about bike servicing and training
and her social enterprise background. Presenters from Hertfordshire County
Council outlined our investments in improved car-free cycle routes and
cycle training for children and college students. More information can be
found on the BHBI website, latest news section.
LSTF Half Term Report
Hertfordshire County Council secured £11.7 million from the Department for
Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) for use on numerous
schemes in SW Herts between late 2011 and March 2015. Some of the big
ticket items include brand new buses and routes to major employment areas
in Watford and Hemel Hempstead’s Maylands Business Park. Our investment
in new technology means Hertfordshire now has leading-edge live bus
Route 10 Watford launch –
passengers up 7% in 2013
timetable information and supporting digital access methods like the Intalink
app and QR code and Near Field Communication (NFC) chip delivery to
smartphones.
On the infrastructure side, we have already delivered hundreds of new cycle
parking spaces and major improvements to car-free and other safe cycle
and walking routes.
The
business
engagement
programme
is
also
funded
by
LSTF.
BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS for Business has been active since February 2013 and to
date we have over 30 large organisations in SW Hertfordshire as core
members. As well as meetings and online interactions, we know that our
promotions and campaigns have started to show good results. For example,
the BigHerts Cycle Challenge for businesses in June attracted nearly 1200
people registering work or leisure rides, including 200 previously lapsed or
even non-cyclists. Nearly 200 monthly and longer season tickets have been
Improvements to cycle routes
and 700+ new parking places
taken up at a BHBI discount from our local transport partners Arriva, First
Capital Connect and Centrebus. We estimate that 200 additional members
of the free hertsliftshare.org service have come from BHBI member
companies.
All of these results show that employees in Hertfordshire can be persuaded at
least to try alternatives to the car as their primary mode of transport to work
and on business.

3. PAGE 3
BHBI NEWSLETTER
Recent Roadshows
The Intalink promotional vehicle visited Leavesden Park at MEPC’s invitation
and we met over 50 staff from BT and other residents of the business park.
Dacorum Borough Council’s annual business exhibition/conference at
Shendish Manor also asked us to attend and we had a stand to promote
sustainable travel at this prestigious event. Next stop for the vehicle is
Maylands Business Park in the New Year.
We have been working with West Herts Hospitals Trust who are the single
Contact us to arrange a site visit
biggest employer in the LSTF area with over 4,500 people across three
hospital sites. Promotions were done at staff roadshows in October and we
are pleased to be co-funding a much-needed increase in cycle parking at
the busiest site, Watford General Hospital. Our main cycle storage partner
Cyclepods is doing the design and installation and is offering other
members a 10% BHBI discount for its innovative designs (with Secured by
Design accreditation from the Association of Chief Police Officers).
Cyclepods 8-bike storage pod
Diary Dates
News of forthcoming events, meetings and announcements for the network
BHBI for Business, network event
Friday 31 January 2014, 9:30am to 1pm
The meeting will be held at KPMG’s Watford Offices at Clarendon Road. The main theme will
be rail improvements across SW Hertfordshire. There is a huge amount of change and
improvement happening from early 2014 with many future benefits, but there will be some
local disruption, so we want to help you plan for that accordingly.
Contact us
For further information or to contribute ideas/queries, please email
bigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk
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