The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is responsible for managing London’s
biggest open space.
The 26-mile long, 10,000-acre linear park, stretching along the banks of the
River Lee, from Ware in Hertfordshire, through Essex, to the Thames at East
India Dock Basin presents employees with a daily management and
development challenge.
Environmental management plus a duty to develop and preserve leisure,
recreation, sport and nature are prime responsibilities of the Authority, so
efficient use of vehicles is vital.
In 2008 the Authority will reap the benefits of a ‘root and branch’ review of
its entire vehicle fleet, including private vehicles used for business purposes,
known as grey fleet. The comprehensive review comprises of an Energy Saving
Trust Green Fleet Review coupled with the findings of an internal audit. Both
provide recommendations that will cut capital costs, reduce the size of the
vehicle operation through better usage, lower the organisation’s transport
carbon footprint and bring safety benefits.
According to Nigel Foxall, the Authority’s Corporate Performance and
Information Manager: “The results have put our transport operation on a
professional footing that will bring numerous benefits to the organisation
and the environment.”
Authority gears up for a lean, green fleet
The Authority’s internal audit make a number of recommendations for improved
management of business vehicles, which travel some 100,000 miles a year
within the confines of the Park. While this was being carried out, Mr Foxall
contacted the Energy Saving Trust for information about carrying out a Green
Fleet Review.
The Green Fleet Review resulted in a range of recommendations to radically
overhaul and transform the Authority’s grey fleet. Fifty four employees have
essential / casual car user status, driving around 51,600 miles a year; however
the fleet is now in the process of being transformed into a lean, green operation.
Instrumental in pushing changes through was the newly-established Vehicle
Management Project Team, chaired by Nigel Foxall. Its first priority was to
draw up a report for Authority members to ensure buy-in at a strategic level.
With ongoing help from the Energy Saving Trust a comprehensive fleet policy
was compiled for the first time. The implementation process started with:
-
The introduction of software to manage and track vehicle and fuel use
- Best practice and duty of care measures, such as licence checks and compiling
private use vehicle documentation
More changes ahead
With the planning and development phase complete and approval obtained
from senior management, 2008 will see the Authority implement further
measures to truly “green” its transport operations. Planned activities include:
-
A new vehicle replacement programme
- A six month biodiesel trial and assessment of electric vehicles
- Possible use of a single manufacturer policy to meet vehicle requirements
- Centralised control of fleet vehicles and the use of computerised fleet
management reports to reduce capital and operating costs
- The appointment of an accident management and fleet management company
- Driver risk assessments and driver training – starting with Mr Foxall!
- Encouraging car sharing and video conferencing
Fleet put on a professional footing
Mr Foxall said: “We have completely transformed the fleet. Policy documents
and procedures are in place for all drivers, and our vehicle acquisition policy is
controlled and focused. We have occupational driving health and safety
procedures and record keeping in place.
“We are undoubtedly reducing our carbon footprint because we have fewer
vehicles. These will become increasingly cleaner in the future as new, lower
carbon vehicles gradually replace existing units. The whole fleet is being used
much more efficiently and we have introduced organisational and management
controls to our transport operation. We have also put safety initiatives in place.”
Implementing recommendations covering vehicle operation and acquisition,
environmental policy, insurance, fuel reimbursement and cost, and health and
safety is a big, yet achievable target.
Mr Foxall said: “We are on a massive journey but we now feel that our fleet
is on a professional footing. The Green Fleet Review was core to the project.
We are not a big fleet and we don’t travel many miles but we care about the
environment. We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint and the Energy Saving
Trust was able to help.
“The Green Fleet Review is tailored to individual company needs, so other
organisations can achieve what we have. I would recommend the service to
all businesses that want to reduce their environmental impact and run a fleet
that is truly fit-for-purpose.”