Derby City Council is encouraging local businesses to go greener, by applying for grants that can help them to use greener travel.

The Connected Grants – which help to meet the cost of workplace or community-based travel improvements –mark another step for Derby’s push for sustainable travel, following the successful introductions of eScooter and eCargo bike trials.

The grants can provide businesses, and voluntary or community groups, with up to £15,000 to help promote walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.

This could cover both infrastructure – making it easier for people to travel greener – and incentives for staff or visitors, that help to promote greener travel and smarter working practices.

This could include:

  • Access to pool bike schemes (including electric bikes)
  • Use of e-cargo bikes
  • Creating cycle parking and storage facilities
  • Installing electric vehicle charging points
  • Building showers and changing facilities
  • Installing cycle parking and storage facilities
  • Improving site access for walking and cycling.

As part of the application, organisations will develop a Travel Action Plan, describing how staff and visitors will be encouraged and supported to commute using sustainable or active travel.  Initiatives put forward for funding would need to:

  • Make travel easier, cheaper, healthier, or greener for employees and visitors
  • Reduce the costs and time delays associated with essential business travel
  • Ensure customers, suppliers and visitors can easily access local businesses and group sites.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Decarbonisation, Strategic Planning and Transportation, said:

I am pleased that we are able to offer the Connected grants. It’s vitally important that we encourage greener and healthier travel, and so we’re keen to help as many local organisations as possible to make that switch.

I would urge all businesses, community, and voluntary groups to consider what the Connected grants can offer them, as well as the possible benefits to the city and their employees.

More information and details of how to apply for the Connected grant scheme can be found on the Derby Connected website. Applications are processed on a first come basis, and close on 31 October 2021.