At a recent Mole Valley Chamber business networking breakfast, Jacquetta Fewster, Active Travel Lead (Workplaces) at Active Surrey, took the room on a lively tour through the benefits—and the surprising simplicity—of supporting staff to travel more actively and sustainably.

Representing the county-wide team based within Surrey County Council, Jacquetta focuses on helping employers encourage their people to walk, cycle and use public transport more often. Her mission is straightforward: healthier, happier staff and stronger, more sustainable businesses.

To learn more about the Chamber community behind events like this, visit the Mole Valley Chamber homepage.

Why active travel matters for businesses

Jacquetta began by grounding the conversation where many workplace challenges lie: staff wellbeing and business performance. The evidence is compelling—employees who build physical activity into their daily routines enjoy better physical and mental health, take fewer sick days and generally come to work more energised and productive.

Active travel plays a major role in this. And for anyone imagining that “active travel to work” requires Lycra and heroic hill climbs, Jacquetta was quick to reassure the room: most active travel in Surrey isn’t cycling—it’s walking. Of the 18% of residents who walk or cycle to work, around 15% walk.

Even public transport counts: walking to and from the bus stop or station builds activity into an otherwise sedentary day. For the third of Surrey residents who are largely inactive, these small bursts of movement can be transformative for long-term health.

The daily travel reality in Surrey

While Surrey has pockets of excellent cycling infrastructure, Jacquetta didn’t shy away from the challenges. From intimidating roundabouts to pothole puddles of mysterious depth, some routes still leave cyclists nervously gripping the handlebars. Improvements are coming, but for now the reality is: it’s doable, but not always delightful.

Public transport, too, is patchy in places—especially following timetable reductions during the pandemic. Employers in the room shared the frustrations they hear from staff: infrequent buses, disconnected routes, and parking pressures causing friction with neighbours.

But there were glimmers of hope. The Surrey Connect flexible bus service is increasingly used by businesses, particularly those based in harder-to-reach areas. With major local government changes approaching, Jacquetta encouraged businesses to shape future conversations around travel needs.

Businesses interested in discussing these challenges with fellow local employers can do so through the Chamber’s networking programme.

Habits, behaviour change and the power of the workplace

When staff relocate—or when an office moves—commuting habits get shaken up. It’s the perfect moment to break the automatic “grab the car keys” reflex.

Some Chamber members shared their own clever incentives, such as premium parking bays for car-sharers. These small behavioural nudges can make a surprisingly big difference.

Jacquetta’s core message was clear: changing staff travel behaviour requires more than posters and polite encouragement—it needs thoughtful, evidence-based planning.

The Smarter Travel to Work toolkit

To make this easier for businesses, Jacquetta and Active Surrey have created a free Workplace Travel Plan Toolkit—a step-by-step guide to help employers understand staff needs and build effective, tailored interventions.

The toolkit covers:

• What a travel plan is (and isn’t)

• How to design effective staff travel surveys

• How to analyse results without drowning in data

• A ready-made travel plan template

• Practical communication templates and behaviour-change tools

Chamber members looking to strengthen staff wellbeing strategies can also explore local business resources via the Mole Valley Chamber membership page.

A success story: WWF’s behaviour shift

When WWF moved to a new office in Woking, they used the travel planning process to reshape commuting habits:

• Car commuting dropped from 63% to 25%

• Train travel increased from 21% to 56%

A powerful reminder that with the right support, staff will choose greener options.

Funding support: Active Travel Grants

To help employers turn travel plans into reality, Active Surrey offers grants of up to £5,000. Recent applications include:

• Pool bikes for short local trips

• Reusable water bottles to spark conversations around active travel

• Facilities that support walking and cycling

Why travel planning matters for communities too

Beyond staff wellbeing and productivity, Jacquetta emphasised broader benefits:

• Reduced parking pressure

• Better relationships with neighbours

• Cleaner air

• A more sustainable local economy

• Stronger communities

For more local business insights and initiatives, readers can explore the Chamber’s news and updates.

Looking ahead: SMEs welcome

Jacquetta recognises that small businesses may not have the capacity for large-scale travel planning. She’s actively seeking SMEs interested in co-creating a lighter, more manageable version of the toolkit.

For further information

Jacquetta Fewster

Active Travel Lead (Workplaces)
Active Surrey, Surrey County Council
Jacquetta.Fewster@surreycc.gov.uk

Useful links:

• Smarter Travel Toolkit

• Active Travel Grant Scheme

• Active travel for workplaces

• Surrey WorkWell programme

• Webinar recording