Travel and transport
Top tip: To save paper and energy, please don't just automatically print out this page!
Transport is responsible for 25% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollution causes up to 24,000 early deaths every year by triggering asthma and respiratory diseases. And of course there are the additional problems of noise, petrol fumes, traffic jams, road works and stress.
But there are simple ways that we can all reduce our impact in the car. If you're travelling within the National Park there are a whole range of daytrips out using either public transport, boat launches, your feet or bikes. Check out our public transport page and the great Give The Driver A Break leaflets.
Top Tips – Alternatives to the car
Walking
It’s really good for you and it’s free! Start off gradually and walk to work or walk the children to school just one day a week, then build up to every day if you can – your local authority can help with school travel plans.
It’s the most environmentally friendly way to travel, especially for short journeys like doing the shopping or nipping to the takeaway, as a car causes most pollution before the engine has warmed up.
Useful links (all open in a new window)
- www.livingstreets.org.uk - the Pedestrian Association campaigns for liveable streets not dominated by road traffic
- www.saferoutestoschools.org.uk - information about School Travel Plans, walking and cycling to schools
- www.ramblers.org.uk - The Ramblers Association are a walking charity with advice and information to help you get the best of out of walking.
Cycling
It’s great fun,a brillant way to get fit and once you’ve bought the gear, the rest is free! Try cycling to work one day a week to start, then build up to every other day – you’ll really feel the difference. Sometimes you can even get to work quicker and some companies even let you claim the mileage back now if you cycle!
Useful links (all open in a new window)
- www.sustrans.org.uk - for details on the National Cycle Network
- www.wheelbase.co.uk - Wheelbase in Staveley sells both road bikes and mountain bikes, cycle clothing, accessories, essential spares and repairs items and offer a bike repair service
Public Transport
If more people took public transport traffic congestion would quickly disappear and fares would get cheaper. Public transport uses less than half as much fuel per passenger than a private car, and can be quicker and cheaper.You can read on the way to work and you don’t have to concentrate on the route if you are tired.
Check out our public transport page for useful website links.
Top Tips – Driving more sensitively
If you absolutely have to use a car, you can reduce your car journey’s impact on the environment:
Car share wherever possible to save money on petrol. Visit www.nationalcarshare.co.uk or www.freewheelers.co.uk or www.carclubs.org.uk for ideas (both links open in a new window).
Combine journeys so that you complete several chores at once such as doing the shopping and recycling on the way home from work.
Turn off your engine when your car is stationary for longer than two minutes.
Save money and fuel by keeping your car regularly serviced, with tyres are at the right air pressure, closing all windows, being frugal with the air conditioning, removing unnecessary heavy loads from boots and roofracks, not braking or accelerating sharply and driving at speeds of 50 miles per hour or less.
Choose a smaller car and engine size which is more fuel efficient. You can check your car’s fuel efficiency at www.vca.gov.uk. Try www.cleanvehicles.co.uk for the UK’s leading independent source of low emission vehicles, equipment, and fuel (both links open in a new window).
Convert your car to LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). It emits less carbon dioxide and air pollutants and it's half the price of petrol or diesel. It costs around £1,500 to convert, but you can apply for grants on www.powershift.org.uk.
Biodiesel fuels can be used in any diesel engine and biodiesel is actually better for your engine than mineral oil diesel www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/changingplaces_20051111.shtml (opens in a new window).
Invest in a hybrid car which is much more efficient and better for the environment. It uses an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
Repay your carbon debt through websites like www.climatecare.com or www.futureforests.com (both links open in a new window).
The Full Monty
This web page is just a taste of what's on offer!
For more advice, information, links to fantastic websites and background on how you can save pounds whilst saving the planet, download the Toolkit for Sustainable Living in South Lakeland (opens Document Library)
