UK Trade Park Goes 'Green'

Green is the latest buzzword that organizations are adopting to do their bit in conserving the natural resources of our planet. UK based Horncastle Group is proposing a “green travel plan” which would be the first such initiative in UK’s Yorkshire business area.

The company proposes to implement the “green travel plan” at Merchant's Quay site in Brighton Street, West Hull. The Merchant's Quay site will be an integrated setup having office accommodation apart from a center that hosts all allied trades such as builders' merchants, plumbing and electrical stockists and kitchen and bathroom suppliers.

The plan proposes a range of facilities for the employees to travel to work comfortably and at the same time ensuring that the earth’s natural resources are conserved. They would be encouraged to travel in groups, use public transport or cycles and would have the convenience of using shower areas setup near their office before they start work.

Horncastle director Ian Hodges said in a press release: "Green travel plans have been put forward by the Highways Agency to help ensure new developments do not create congestion. After long and detailed discussions with the agency we have now agreed the area's first green travel plan."

Employees would have greater awareness of the different options that they can avail that are convenient and also environmentally friendly. He said: "For example, people will feel much safer walking or cycling to work if they are not on their own, so we will be setting up a green travel plan website for the development, enabling people from different companies to post messages about sharing transport arrangements. We will also be looking at whether we can set up a car rental or loan scheme on the site so that people needing a car for business can hire one by the day or even by the hour.
We will also be providing substantial parking in well-lit areas for cyclists and motorcyclists, together with shower facilities."

The company is awaiting permission and plans to start construction by February next year and would have the first units ready by September 2008.

The prestigious Merchant's Quay would have a 4.5-acre trade park and will provide 95,000sqft of accommodation. This would consist of three office buildings and 55,000sqft of trade counter units and feature facilities for the environment friendly modern occupier. The green travel plan” is being introduced at Merchant’s Quay and the company plans to introduce the same at their other sites that have the necessary approvals.

Horncastle Group based in Yorkshire is a leading provider of business space and urban regeneration schemes. Emphasis is given on providing quality and environmentally friendly projects featuring “green” buildings that are planned and constructed for the future and not just today.

For more information, please visit www.horncastlegroup.com.

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Radhika Raghunath is a contributing writer for TMCnet.