MANAGERS at MEPC, the developer which runs Milton Park near Didcot, have welcomed the results of its green travel campaign.

The campaign, which launched at the end of 2016, aimed to inspire people to make travel changes, and formed part of MEPC’s long-term commitment to responsible property investment.

By encouraging commitment from businesses and employees across Milton Park, where 9,000 staff work, new measures helped to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

MEPC brought in London-based transport consultants Vectos and worked alongside its travel advisor Veronica Reynolds to help identify where changes needed to be made and how to implement them.

Over the past 12 months, MEPC has encouraged a range of green transport initiatives, including a bike loan scheme, an upgraded car share system, extra electric car charging points, and the creation of the Milton Park Travel Forum.

These changes have allowed people to adopt greener forms of travel for their daily commute.

People also participated in an annual Car Free Day with prizes for the quirkiest mode of travel.

This year’s winner arrived to work at Milton Park on a unicycle.

Over the past 12 months, the campaign has resulted in:

*Liftshare membership growing from 74 to 563 people

*A 14 per cent increase in people sharing their journeys

•A five per cent increase in cycling

•A four per cent reduction in people travelling in single occupancy vehicles, which equates to 200 fewer cars a day.

A further reduction of about five per cent is anticipated over the next 12 months.

Philip Campbell, commercial director for MEPC, said: “Our green travel campaign is all about helping and encouraging people who can change the way they travel here to do so.

"This might not be every day but perhaps once or twice a week.

"We are hugely grateful to all those working on Milton Park who have taken up the baton and collectively helped to achieve these great results. It’s those small changes that can often make such a big difference.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Vectos and the park community and announcing further exciting initiatives to help even more people to make a change."

The £1.4m redevelopment of Backhill Tunnel, next to the A4130 in west Didcot, was officially opened last month by Wantage MP Ed Vaizey.

A pedestrian and cycle link has been created beneath the existing railway embankment, linking the A-road with Milton Park.

Pedestrian and cycle routes along the A4130 will link Milton Park with Milton Gate in 2018.

Veronica Reynolds, behavioural change advisor for Vectos, added: "I’ve been delighted with the response from Milton Park occupiers to the various travel initiatives and events over the past 12 months.

"People have shown that they want to make a positive difference to the environment by choosing to run, cycle or car-share into work, which helps to create a healthier working lifestyle.

"As the Didcot Garden Town area continues to grow, these changes will be more important than ever, to create a truly sustainable environment and we are pleased to be doing our bit to help."