Iconic Hull business group secures national status for supporting staff to make sustainable travel choices

One of Hull’s most iconic business names has received national certification for its workplace travel plan, which encourages and supports its workforce to walk, cycle and use public transport for their daily commute.

The Sewell Group has received a Very Good Travel Plan award from Modeshift STARS.

The national STARS accreditation scheme recognises workplaces that go above and beyond in developing, implementing, and monitoring an effective travel plan to bring about a change in travel behaviour and reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys to, from and between their sites.

Sites are awarded Approved, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding accreditation.

Hull City Council offers businesses and organisations within the city the chance to join Modeshift STARS for free as part of its strategic objective of promoting active travel choices.

The benefits and advantages of a workplace travel plan, include:

• reductions of single occupancy car journeys, which helps alleviate pressure and congestion across site car parks
• identifying availability and accessibility of viable transport options, based on staff locations
• potential to improve and develop site connectivity links through sustainable and active travel
• improving staff wellbeing, with physical and mental health benefits.

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, cabinet portfolio holder for transportation, roads and highways, said: “The Sewell Group is one of Hull’s largest employers as well as being one of the city’s most recognisable business names.

“The enthusiasm they have and continue to show and the extraordinary effort they, as a business, are making to support their staff to make more sustainable and active travel choices is fantastic and a brilliant example for others to follow.

“The Modeshift STARS programme offers real benefits, both to people and the local environment, and it is brilliant to see so many businesses and organisations within Hull already taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in the programme and working with the council to create a healthier and fairer Hull.”

The Sewell Group’s achievements and standout travel plan initiatives included:

• teaming up with the Hull Thursday Road Club to record a short film, highlighting the benefits of cycling, for Cycle to Work Day
• improving existing onsite cycle parking facilities by erecting a secure cycle shelter made from sustainable materials
• organising and delivering lunchtime litter pick walks within the community, collecting a total of 32kg worth of litter
• introducing a car share scheme to help match staff living within the same postcode, including floor vinyls and coloured, cardboard cars placed on desks to act as ice breakers
• car share competitions
• promotion of the council-funded ‘Rusty Riders’ adult cycle training programme.

Bethany Dennett, community investment strategist at Sewell Construction, said: “Becoming more sustainable as a business is one of our priorities, so it’s been great to work with Hull City Council to achieve the Modeshift STARS accreditation.

“Everyone, right across our company, has been so keen to take part and it’s been brilliant to see people try cycling to work or arranging to car share when travelling to meetings. We’ve had lots of creative suggestions for the travel plan from our people, and the benefits aren’t just for the environment, but improve our physical and mental health too.

“We realise there’s still lots to do to help people choose more active or sustainable ways to travel, but we’re excited to continue on this journey and can’t wait to see what ideas our team come up with next.”

If your business or organisation would like to take part in the Modeshift STARS programme, contact Caitlynne Adams, travel plan officer (business) at Hull City Council