Rix Group Receives National Award For Sustainable Travel Options

One of Hull’s most prominent businesses 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.

Rix Group, the sixth-generation, family-owned business, with a portfolio of 22 companies ranging across many industries, has received a 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: “Rix is one of Hull’s most recognisable names and it is a real pleasure to present them with their award and to see their efforts in supporting their staff to make more sustainable and active travel choices recognised."

“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 taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in the programme and work with the council to create a greener and healthier city.”

Cerys Davies, operations co-ordinator at Rix Group, said: “We are delighted to receive this award from Modeshift STARS. The council has been extremely helpful with assisting us through the accreditation process and in liaising with Humberside Police and R-evolution to offer events for our staff community."

“Taking part in this programme has helped in motivating our community to travel more sustainably to work and we hope to improve on the amount choosing greener travel in the future.”

Rix Group joins The Deep, national retailer, Next, safety giant, Arco, and the Holiday Inn Hull Marina in receiving Good Travel Plan awards, with the Double Tree by Hilton Hull and the University of Hull receiving Approved Travel Plan certificates.