Social workers get bikes and electric car for greener home visits

Social workers are turning their local authority green after Sandwell council successfully petitioned for an electric car and two bikes.

Leaving care team worker, Denise Blake, put in a bid for the bikes, safety equipment, and the lease of an electric car after realising her authority was not using clean fuel.

Sustainable transport

The money was awarded from a fund set up by Centro, the company responsible for delivering public transport in the West Midlands. Centro’s £48m Smart Network, Smarter Choices initiative gives local authorities and others in the community a chance to bid for funding to help them switch to more sustainable transport methods.

Blake said: “The aim is to make staff more aware of how to make a greener environment and use more sustainable transport. I put a bid in for the bikes and car for the workers to use on local home visits, rather than use their own vehicles.

“We’re really pleased. Staff are using the bikes regularly and the car is booked out nearly every day going on local visits within the borough. It’s saving us money and it’s saving the environment from horrible fuel emissions.”

Mileage savings

A Sandwell council spokesperson said it meant staff using the vehicles would not have to claim mileage and it was hoped this was save the council around £10, 000 a year.

The council already has two fleet vehicles in the service to save money on mileage, but said the electric car and charging dock was a first.