World No Car Day invites opportunity to embrace sustainable travel

World No Car Day in North Tyneside

North Tyneside Council is encouraging people across the borough to leave their cars at home as part of a worldwide initiative.

 

Today's World No Car Day, on September 22, is being heralded as a day of action; an opportunity to leave the car at home in favour of more sustainable travel options.

 

The initiative supports North Tyneside Council’s ambitious Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan, part of which encourages more active and sustainable travel.

 

The potential impacts of World No Car Day are highly anticipated among members of the borough-wide Climate Emergency Board, which was recently set up by the council. The board, made up of public sector organisations and commercial and industrial businesses, are hugely supportive of the initiative.

 

Cllr Sandra Graham, cabinet member for Environment and council Cycling Champion, said “Whilst we are already working really hard to cut climate emissions at the council, it is vital that we have the support of residents and businesses too.

 

“We are a council that has always looked to promote sustainable travel and we have some great routes to cycle or walk in North Tyneside. World No Car Day is a great opportunity not only to support the environment, but also to experience some of what North Tyneside has to offer.

 

“Change is only possible if we all do our part and these small actions add up, so it’s great that the day is being backed by the Climate Emergency Board.”

 

World No Car Day is a small yet crucial part of a larger effort to make a positive difference to the environment. Sustainable travel can offer a wealth of benefits including reduced air pollution, safer roads and increased health and wellbeing for the individuals that participate. This initiative serves as a welcome reminder of the importance of striving to be carbon net-zero.

Lynn Cramman, Manager of Cobalt Park, one of the UK's largest office parks commented: “'Leave your Car at home Day' is a focal point in our events calendar at Cobalt Park and from September 16, the management team look to highlight and support staff with their commuter choices to work.

 "We offer interactive personal travel plans, free weeks of public transport trials, free bike loans, cycle support and car sharing matches. September is a great time to promote alternative methods other than single occupancy car use, as many people have life events at this time of year, such as children changing or starting education, house and job moves as well as looking at saving money as the cost of living bites.

 "By the North Tyneside businesses pulling together it enables a collective voice to inform our staff, many of whom reside in North Tyneside, that small behavioural changes can make an enormous difference."

The day offers an opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental issues facing the planet, and the council’s ongoing efforts to work towards being carbon net zero.

 

Since the commencement of its carbon journey, the council is already working ahead of its own target, having slashed carbon emissions by 53 per cent. The borough’s carbon footprint has similarly reduced by 47 per cent. This success can be attributed to initiatives such as the vast improvements made to the energy efficiency of council homes and buildings; the replacement of 10,000 streetlights with LEDs, with an additional 20,000 planned; improvements to recycling; increased planting of trees and biodiversity areas; electrifying council vehicles where appropriate; and, of course, sustained efforts to promote active and sustainable travel.

 

As part of the ongoing initiative to work towards being carbon net-zero by 2030, the council is encouraging residents to remember the other ways in which we can all be more environmentally friendly. Taking small steps such as recycling whenever possible, turning lights and other appliances off when not in use and shopping sustainably can go a long way in making a difference.

 

Further information on what the council has done, and is doing, since declaring a climate emergency can be found here.