Project urges smart travel

GREENER, healthier travel is on the agenda for 2009 as a pioneering project develops across Lowestoft.

And in the first three months of the TravelSmart scheme, the project has already been hailed as a success.

Having launched last September, the first stage of the project ended last month as around 6,000 households in the Normanston, Oulton Broad and Oulton areas of town were approached by officers from project co-ordinators sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

These residents are invited to take part in the project receive tailor-made travel information and support to help them choose walking, cycling and public transport where and when it suits them best.

They are contacted by phone and on the doorstep and can choose from a selection of information including walking and cycling maps, cycle training, local bus and train timetables as well as discounts and offers and the opportunity of a personal advice session with an expert.

Sustrans and partners Socialdata received a Big Lottery Fund boost to provide people with personalised travel advice in a bid to ease congestion, improve public health and tackle the effects of climate change.

By the end of 2009, up to 25,000 households in Lowestoft will be invited to take part in the scheme.

And this week, Rachel Purdy, the TravelSmart Lowestoft project officer, said that the initial signs from the project were extremely positive.

'We have had a fantastic response so far, with everyone keen to take part,' she admitted. 'The information and advice has been well received and people are considering the small changes they can make to their travel habits that will benefit the town and the Lowestoft community as a whole.'

With Lowestoft being the latest town to join the nationwide programme, the scheme has already achieved reductions in car use averaging more than 10pc in other areas of the country.