DJ Property based on the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth has been successful in their application for one of the new travel grants available to Dorset businesses by Dorset County Council.
The grant will enable many new travel related benefits to be installed at the Granby and Lynch Lane Industrial Estates including new secure cycle shelters which will be installed at Link Park and four other locations. Good cycle parking at Link Park and the Granby is important as both areconnected to Weymouth’s Olympic cycle route; an interlinked cycle path running through the heart of South Dorset. The new facilities will benefit around 64 businesses in total across a number of locations including;
· Granby Court, Surrey Close
· South Park, Avon Close
· Oxford Court, Cambridge Road
· Egdon Hall, Lynch Lane
· Link Park
Mickey Jones Chief Executive of DJ Property said: “This is a very good example of businesses working together effectively to access funding which will be of benefit to the immediate business community. The combined use of a facility such as a Cycle Shelter makes sense when it is shared between many business premises rather than just by one business. Hopefully this will demonstrate to Weymouth businesses that when they combine as a group with a common purpose, then affordable facilities can be made available for them.”
Mr Jones went on to say “This approach might also be adopted by a group of guesthouses or hotels who may not have the space individually for something but they may be able to come up with an idea or location which can work for a group with a common purpose.”
Local businesses can benefit from a new travel grant from Dorset County Council with up to £3,000 per business available.
The scheme is designed to help businesses start incentives that encourage more people to walk, cycle or use public transport on the journey to work.
Businesses in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester can apply for up to £3,000 match funding towards cycle parking, lockers, showers or changing facilities, signage, pool bikes, and more. The hospitality sector can also apply for grants to improve access for visitors, encouraging more tourists to leave the car behind and walk or cycle instead.
This investment in businesses has been made possible through the council’s £2.4M Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) from the Department for Transport.
Transport planner for Dorset County Council Adam Bows said: “Providing facilities such as secure cycle parking, places to shower, change and leave wet clothing will encourage staff to cycle and walk to work.
“By encouraging employees to walk or run or cycle to work you are likely to see a significant reduction in sick days and increased productivity.”
If you would like to know more about Business Travel Grants please contact Kirsty Hillier, Communications and Marketing officer – Transport on Tel 01305 224935 at Dorset County Council or for general information go to dorsetforyou.com/business-travel-grant or email [email protected]
