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Green Travel Plan and Strategy

The ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø Green Travel Plan

The ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø campus is built to very high specifications in terms of sustainability, and it is the intention that this be seen as an opportunity to make significant changes in the way we operate in work, study and our lives in general. It was a precondition of the planning permission for the campus that a green travel plan be put in place to minimise the impact of our arrival on the existing transport infrastructure and the local environment. This travel plan is a part of the mechanism by which these operational changes are made.

The Green Travel Plan necessarily links with other environmental and health issues and is managed by the Depute Director of Facilities who liaises with agencies for these issues, both within ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø and externally, particularly with members of other institutions (EAUC Edinburgh Network). Key aspects of the Green Travel Plan include both development of infrastructure, and promotion and development of lifestyle and attitude changes. These changes will be monitored and evaluated against existing modal analysis, to determine areas of improvement and to support further sustainable travel initiatives.

²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø Active Travel Survey Report 2021-2022

Green Travel Plan 2020

Green travel map

Transport is the most polluting sector in the UK, in order to achieve real reductions in CO2 a cultural shift needs to occur away from the private car. Reliance should not be on updating vehicular technology.

This plan outlines the role of travel choice in the University’s commitment to sustainability, and provides a working framework for the operational requirements of behaviour change in the context of our institutional strategic objectives of working towards a carbon neutral institution. As such, it will be regularly updated to reflect the evolution of a green travel culture, and the improvements which support it.

This plan intends to give you some help in identifying travel choices, journey times and comparative costs for travel to Queen Margaret university. There are many journey planning tools available online if you would like some more detail (links provided throughout).

Bar chart comparing 2018/19 and 2019/20 modes of transport to campus

Health Matters

²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø place a great deal of importance on the health of both staff and students. Research has clearly demonstrated the links between physical exercise and both physical and mental health, and one of the benefits of the green travel plan is in supporting active travel not just as a means of transport, but also as a form of exercise and relaxation.

Supporting healthy lifestyles is also the rationale behind flexible working and work/life balance initiatives, which have the added benefit of reducing unnecessary car use, with condensed hours and work from home days becoming standard.

Travel Survey

Updates to the travel plan and allied parking policy are a result of travel surveys which are taken each year as part of the monitoring and evaluation process. The 2019/20 survey included 40 questions regarding the current travel patterns of students and staff and the potential for change.

There were 367 respondents to this survey, both students and staff. The annual surveys provide an important consultative tool to ensure that the Green Travel Plan (GTP) takes into account not only legislative changes, but also the comments and suggestions of the ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø community. As can be seen in this map, students and staff travel from all over Scotland.

Aims and Targets

It is the aim of the university to maintain its pioneering status, being an exemplar of sustainable best practice in Higher Education institutions. The aim of the GTP is to support the university in this strategy by encouraging sustainable travel choice and delivering a decrease in single occupancy car use across the university community.

Modal Split

Given the proximity of Musselburgh railway station to the campus, it is not surprising that rail is the second most used mode of transport in the 2019/20 Travel Survey (26%). With bus stops on campus, bus travel was the second most popular use at 24/%.

There are a number of limiting factors restricting the growth of rail travel, this includes timetabling issues and individuals relying on connecting services. The Newcraighall station has greater capacity but is a less attractive option, requiring a 20 minute walk.

²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø has joined the Rail Action Group for East Scotland (RAGES) and will continue to lobby at the highest level for service improvements.

Public transport accounts for half of the mode share. The active travel mode share is at its highest level at 21%. This change may be due to the increased focus of active travel on campus. The single occupancy driving mode share, although higher than last year is still a drop from the 2017/18 levels. This shows positive trends in sustainable mode share for Queen Margaret University.

Public Transport

Queen Margaret University is reachable from a number of areas, including: Fife, Edinburgh, Currie, Newbridge, Dalkeith, Loanhead, Gorebridge and a number of areas within East Lothian.

For information on the Staff Loan Scheme for Public Transport, please email payroll@qmu.ac.uk.

Edinburgh

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2020)

For more information visit and .

Service Number 30 45
Origin Clovenstone

Riccarton

Main Stops Longstone
West End
Lothian Road
Commonwealth Pool
Fort Kinnaird
Riccarton Campus
Currie Toll
Tollcross
Meadowbank House
Typical Journey Time 1 hr 20 mins 1 hr 40 mins
Typical Return Cost £3.60 £3.60
Typical Monthly Cost £56.00 £56.00

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .

Location Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Waverley to Musselburgh 10 minutes £4.40

£70.30

Haymarket to Musselburgh 24 minutes £4.40

£70.30

Shawfair to Newcraighall 30 minutes £6.60

£100.70

Slateford to Musselburgh 32 minutes £6.80

£91.40

South Gyle to Musselburgh 31 minutes £5.00

£81.10

Edinburgh Park to Musselburgh 33 minutes £5.20

£84.10

Wester Hailes to Musselburgh 37 minutes £7.00

£94.90

Edinburgh Gateway to Musselburgh 39 minutes £5.40

£82.60

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Edinburgh Trams

Map of tram stops from Edinburgh Airport to York Place

For more information visit Ìý

Single: £1.80
Return: £3.60
Monthly cost: £56.00

(City Zone Prices)

Fife

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø.Ìý

For more information see

Service Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

X55, X56, X58

Ferry Toll P&R - Edinburgh Bus Station

38 minutes £10.40

£115.40

X58

Dalgety Bay - Edinburgh Bus Station

1 hour £10.40

£115.40

X55

Rosyth - Edinburgh Bus Station

1 hour 3 minutes £10.40

£115.40

X55

Dunfermline - Edinburgh Bus Station

1 hour 10 minutes £10.40

£115.40

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Inverkeithing to Musselburgh 46 minutes £11.40

£172.10

Rosyth to Musselburgh 50 minutes £12.30

£176.70

Aberdour to Musselburgh 1 hour 12 minutes £13.80

£196.70

Dunfermline Town to Musselburgh 59 minutes £13.80

£196.70

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West Lothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø.Ìý

For more information see

Service Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

X21, X38

Newbridge - Edinburgh Waverley

30 minutes £4.00

£51.00

X27, X28

Livingston - Edinburgh Waverley

1 hour 13 minutes £8.20

£93.00

38A

Linlithgow - Edinburgh Waverley

1 hour 16 minutes £11.00

£155.00

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Linlithgow to Musselburgh 36 minutes £12.70

£187.10

Livingston South to Musselburgh 40 minutes £13.10

£195.10

Livingston North to Musselburgh 45 minutes £13.10

£195.10

Currie (Curriehill St) to Musselburgh 52 minutes £7.10

£101.00

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East Lothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

For more information see .

Origin Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

111

Haddington

1 hour 20 minutes £6.00 (free for students)

£120.00

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Prestonpans to Musselburgh 11 minutes £5.20

£79.50

Longniddry to Musselburgh 16 minutes £6.70

£94.90

Drem to Musselburgh 25 minutes £11.60

£165.90

North Berwick to Musselburgh 29 minutes £11.60

£165.90

Dunbar to Musselburgh 43 minutes £18.70

£184.00

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Midlothian

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Some services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø.

For more information visit

Service Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

31

Bonnyrigg - Edinburgh Waverley

52 minutes £3.60

£56.00

49

Rosewell - Newcraighall

59 minutes £3.60

£56.00

15, 37, 47

Penicuik - Edinburgh Waverley / Princes Street

55 minutes £3.60

£56.00

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .Ìý

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Eskbank to Newcraighall 33 minutes £5.10

£70.30

Newtongrange to Newcraighall 36 minutes £5.90

£83.80

Gorebridge to Newcraighall 40 minutes £7.00

£101.40

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Borders

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø.

For more information visit .

Service Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

51

Jedburgh - Edinburgh Bus Station

2 hours £12.50

£59.20

52

Kelso - Edinburgh Bus Station

2 hours 8 minutes £12.50

£59.20

X62

Galashiels - Edinburgh Bus Station

2 hours 3 minutes £12.50

£59.20

X70

Peebles - Haymarket

1 hour 34 minutes £9.60

£42.40

X95

Hawick - Edinburgh Bus Station

2 hours 25 minutes £13.40

£59.20

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .Ìý

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Stow to Newcraighall 58 minutes £11.70

£173.60

Galashiels to Newcraighall 1 hour 7 minutes £14.30

£212.80

Tweedbank to Newcraighall 1 hour 11 minutes £14.90

£222.40

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West Scotland

All journey times based on travel on a weekday at 9am.

Bus Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Services detailed below terminate in Edinburgh City Centre. See 'Edinburgh' information above for connections to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø.

For more information visit and .Ìý

Service Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost

38A

Falkirk - Edinburgh Waverley

1 hour 41 minutes £11.50

£155.00

900

Stirling - Shandwick Place

1 hour £11.60

£157.30

900

Glasgow - Shandwick Place

1 hour 16 minutes £10.00

£154.20

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Train Travel (correct as of Jan 2018)

Includes walking times. For more information and timetables visit .Ìý

- Typical Journey Time Typical Return Cost Typical Monthly Cost
Falkirk High to Musselburgh 47 minutes £15.30

£231.20

Stirling to Musselburgh 1 hour 21 minutes £19.00

£321.10

Glasgow (Queen St) to Musselburgh 1 hour 7 minutes £30.30

£419.00

Croy to Musselburgh 1 hour 9 minutes £21.20

£328.80

Greenfaulds to Musselburgh 1 hour 37 minutes £29.50

£454.30

Car Sharing

One of the main aims of the GTP is to reduce the level of single occupancy vehicles travelling to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø. This aim is not focused on discouraging care use but rather encouraging people to travel more sustainably. If staff and students still choose to travel by car they will be encourages to car share rather than to not drive.

Car sharing offers many benefits to individuals, these include:

  • Save money by sharing travel costs (fuel and parking)
  • Reduce the stress of driving by sharing the weight with others
  • Reduces congestion by contributing to less cars on the roads
  • Be Sustainable and help the environment as car-sharing can reduce CO2 emissions

Would you be interested in finding someone to share your journey with to Queen Margaret University? !

Enterprise Car Club

The University has use of two Enterprise Car Club vehicles:

Ford Fiesta – petrol
Nissan Leaf – electric

You can take advantage of using these vehicles now and .

Why not give it a go? It is a cost effective alternative to taxis. It may also reduce the need for you to use your own vehicle, if you need to travel for an offsite meeting.

Cycling

Cycling is a great way of getting to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø! The University is located within close proximity to the National Cycle Route 1, which connects to the Centre of Edinburgh and the Route 76 which runs east through Prestonpans, Haddington and Dunbar.

The following facilities are available to cyclists on the campus and surrounding:

  • Lockers (located on level 1 of the main academic building)
  • Parking (3 secured locker sheds at accommodation and 1 for regular cyclists)
  • Secure bike lockers (installed behind the bus stop and at accommodation)
  • Showers & changing rooms (located on level one in main building and available in the sports centre)
  • Emergency maintenance kits (available at reception)
  • Dr.Bike sessions (15 minutes bicycle repair for minor problems, monthly)

The ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø cycling community is active on , , Cycle Connections and the .

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Cycle Maps

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Go E-bike

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GO e-Bike hubs are now open in East Lothian and Midlothian. They are part of a mini network cycle stations with state-of-the-art e-Bikes. Your nearest hub is at Musselburgh Train Station, find where other hubs are located

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Anyone can access the electric assist bikes in 5 easy steps:

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  1. Download the Go Ebike App to your smart phoneÌý
  2. ÌýSelect the right membership for you - daily, monthly or annual memberships are available
  3. Use the app to unlock a bike from the stand
  4. Start your adventure -Ìý your membership covers 30minute rides before needing to be docked at a station
  5. Finish your ride by finding a docking station and pushing the front wheel into the stand

To find out more about pricing or journey lengths visit:Ìý

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Cycle Connections Bike Hire Scheme & E-bikes

The university has a fleet of over 20 hybrid bikes for hire. This is a healthier and cheaper alternative to using the car, bus or train services. The following tariffs apply to the bike hire scheme:

Period Students Staff
During Semester £40 per semester -
Summer £15 per month £15 per month

All hires include a £50 deposit that will be returned.

Queen Margaret University has 2 electric bikes for hire to staff. These can be hired for a short term hire during the normal working hours (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm).

These are FREE for university staff to use and are a perfect alternative to using taxis and cars for work-related travel.

For more information please contact: assist@qmu.ac.uk.

Walking

Queen Margaret is within walking distance of a number of local residential areas.

Location Typical Journey Time
Musselburgh Train Station 5 mins
Whitehill 10 mins
Stoneybank 13 mins
Stoneyhill 15 mins
Old Craighall 20 mins
Newcraighall 20 mins
Newcraighall Train Station 20 mins
Centre of Musselburgh 20 mins

For more information on walking within and around Queen Margaret University, please visit Get to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø - By Bike or Foot.

Travel Clinics

Keep an eye out for when Dr Bike will be on campus to do maintenance checks on bicycles!

There will bike maintenance sessions held on the University’s campus within the main courtyard. Dates of these will be posted in the following locations:

  • Student Website
  • Cafeteria virtual display boards
  • Poster at bicycle stands

The Dr Bike sessions will be held next to the bicycle racks outside the Craighall and Student Union Buildings.

Parking

For further information on parking, please see the relevant pages on the website, Parking on Campus

Park & Ride

The Newcraighall, Wallyford and Sheriffhall Park & Rides all have FREE parking.Ìý

Park and Ride Map

Park & Ride Cycling Time Walking Time
Newcraighall 7 mins 21 mins
Sheriffhall 20 mins -
Wallyford 17 mins -

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Queen Margaret University

General Enquiries

Show Contacts

Queen Margaret University

Queen Margaret University Main Telephone Number 0131 474 0000

Useful Links: Walking & Cycling

Useful Links: Public Transport

Car Sharing