Bristol businesses working to encourage and help staff travel more sustainably have been recognised at the annual Travelwest ‘Business Travel Awards’ ceremony.
A record number of businesses took part in this year’s awards, with 32 different organisations joining the celebrations at the Guildhall in Bath. The event showcased how travel modes can be influenced to have a positive impact on health and the environment.
Among the Bristol winners and finalists were the University of Bristol, catering supplier Nisbets, ethical tea producer and retailer Pukka Herbs and legal firm DAC Beachcroft
Recognition was given to motivational campaigns and travel champions who influenced behaviour change.
Bristol City Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Mhairi Threlfall said: “I’d like to commend all the businesses recognised by these awards and their considerable efforts to improve the way people travel within the Bristol region. Businesses play a critical role in helping us enhance mobility and connectivity and we are delighted to witness the leadership and commitment these winners and all the nominees have demonstrated.
“I hope everyone in the city region will be inspired by these examples and consider making their own travel changes to help keep everyone moving more easily.”
Kate Royston of SevernNet, a new enterprise bringing together businesses and community enterprises from Portbury, Avonmouth and Severnside, collected the award for Most Innovative Measure. Kate has been a tireless supporter of sustainable transport and a business champion in the Avonmouth and Severnside areas.
The most improved workplace accolade went to the University of Bristol, which has engaged in long-term support of active travel, including major work on improving cycle parking.
The best newcomer award went to Bath-based Wessex Water for a free employer bus for employees operating every 20 minutes from the city centre to its operations centre south of the city.
Pukka Herbs scooped best motivational campaign for its partnership with Do Nation to reward staff for travelling sustainably, engaging a large majority of its staff and creating real behaviour change.
The awards also recognised winners of the Big Commuting Challenge and five Travel Plan Accreditations, for a total of 46 organisations across the four local authority areas making up the Travelwest area – Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles added: “Tackling congestion is a key part of ensuring future economic growth in the West of England. It is good to see so many local businesses playing their part in dealing with the challenges that we face, helping us to maintain our attractiveness as a great place to live and work.”
The full list of winners is:
Best newcomer
For organisations newly offering support and encouragement to employees to reduce travel by car.
Winner: Wessex Water
Highly Commended: Forestry Commission
Most improved workplace
Recognising improvements in the workplace environment to encourage sustainable travel.
Winner: University of Bristol
Highly Commended: Nisbets
Best motivational campaign
Recognising success in motivating staff to make and sustain behavioural change.
Winner: Pukka Herbs
Highly Commended: DAC Beachcroft
Most innovative measure
For organisations that have developed an innovative technique, product or service.
Winner: SevernNet
Highly Commended: Go Travel Solutions
Sustainable Travel Champion
For individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to sustainable travel.
Winner: DAC Beachcroft
Highly Commended: SevernNet
Organisation of the Year
For the organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to sustainable travel.
Winner: Wessex Water
Travelwest Business Travel Plan Accreditations
Apex Hotel: Bronze Level
Edwards: Bronze Level
Bath & North East Somerset Council: Silver Star Level
Bath Spa University: Gold Level
Lyons Davidson: Gold Level
Travelwest is the partnership between Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils, working with the Department for Transport to encourage and support sustainable travel.
Pictured, from left: Nicci Reeve, Flora Ragless-Green and Brian Walker from Ultrahaptics accept the firm’s accreditation from Bath & North East Somerset Councillor Rob Appleyard
