Good neighbours

As the largest employer in Bexhill, we are aware of the impact that can arise from our staff commuting to and from work. As a responsible employer we have extended our car park twice over the last four years, realistically using up all the available space.

This year, we introduced our Travel Green policy which has been accepted by the council as part of our planning application for the car park extension.

The Travel Green policy offers incentives to all staff, no matter how they commute to the office.

To encourage the use of local public transport, the scheme provides staff with incentives and substantial discounts. We have also incorporated the Cycle to Work initiative and offer discounts and interest free loans on pedal and electric cycles and we have installed free charging points for electric cycles whilst offering free cycle proficiency training and free cycle maintenance for staff and built showers in the building to encourage staff further.

For those members of staff who have to drive to commute, we have introduced a car share scheme.

We have also linked in to the county council’s green travel initiatives and have put links on our internal web sites to theirs.

We operate a good neighbour policy and whilst I have spoken to local residents in the past, my door is always open and I am happy to meet and discuss the situation with them at any time.

We also work closely with our local Community Police Officer, but as cars are parked legally there is little that can be done.

I have met our local councillors and discussed the problem and any actions they may consider reasonable.

However, Collington Avenue is a public road with free unrestricted parking for all on it.

We encourage staff to show courtesy when parking in the road and if a registration number is passed to us of a car presenting a parking issue, we immediately flash this around our building to encourage the owner to move it.

We are unsure how many of the cars on the road are Hastings Direct employees as most days we still have spaces in our extended car park facilities.

We would be happy to consider any suggestions from our neighbours on the matter.

JOHN DUNNE

Property Service Director

Hastings Direct