Have you ever considered catching your local bus into town … wondered what Pembrokeshire looked like from the train … promised yourself you’d cycle to work – or been tempted to walk to the local shops?
If you’ve meant to try alternative modes of transport to get to and from town, but haven’t quite got round to it, then next week is your chance!
Thursday, 22nd September is European ‘In Town Without My Car’ day. This date has been set to highlight the growing problems we face every day with traffic congestion, pollution and a reduced quality of life in our local towns.
Local Authorities are co-ordinating events across Europe and Pembrokeshire County Council will be among those promoting the day.
This year’s theme is ‘Clever Commuting’, concentrating on Pembrokeshire’s county town of Haverfordwest.
Said the Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor Brian Hall: “If we all substituted one car journey to work or town a week by walking, car-sharing or using public transport, then we could make a real contribution in reducing congestion in our towns.
“The last National Census showed that while over 65 per cent of the working population used a car to travel to work, only 3.5 per cent used public transport and only 1 per cent walked to work.”
Commuters and visitors are being encouraged to travel into Haverfordwest by sustainable means such as public transport, car sharing, cycling and walking.
To mark the event, the County Council has negotiated the following special offers with train and local bus services:
- on Arriva Trains Wales from the 16th to 22nd September, two people may travel for the price of one. (terms and conditions apply).
- on the day itself, on First Cymru, Silcox and Richard Brothers bus services, child price fares will be implemented for all. (again, terms and conditions apply)
On ’In Town Without My Car’ day, commuters and visitors will also be able to park their vehicles free of charge on the outskirts of Haverfordwest and cycle, walk or car share into town.
The parking areas will be at Haverfordwest Rugby Club and at the County Show ground at Withybush.
Throughout the week an exhibition in the foyer of County Hall, Haverfordwest will promote the health benefits of walking and cycling to work as well as highlighting public transport and the care sharing database run by SWWITCH (South Wales Intergrated Transport Consortium).
Photograph: County Councillor Brian Hall and the Authority’s Director of Transportation and Environment will be using one of the out-of-town car parks on the day and cycling to work in County Hall on a tandem.
