The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to leave their car at home and bus, bike or walk to work or school. It helps to improve health and well-being, while also reducing carbon emissions.
“Road transport accounts for more than 80 per cent of total fuel consumption and this is increasing. We all need to help address this and choosing a more sustainable method of transport is an easy first step in tackling the problem.
“Road vehicles are a major source of many pollutants in urban areas and air pollution can worsen the symptoms of heart or lung disease in some people.
“Torfaen Sustainability Week is the perfect reason to kick start a new sustainable habit, like walking or cycling to work, and living a healthier, more active life.”
Health and nutrition advice will also be available at Gwent Square, as members of Health Challenge Torfaen and the council’s health development team will be speaking to shoppers. The sports development team will be operating a climbing wall for anyone with a head for heights. All the events in Gwent Square run 10am-3pm.
Meanwhile, pupils at Griffithstown Primary School will help clean their local environment with a litter pick at 10.25am.
Councillor Wellington said: “Tackling litter and fly-tipping is not simply about cleaning up, it is about educating people about the harm it does to nature and an area’s appearance.
“Pupils across Torfaen are being taught the importance of a clean environment. Events such as this litter pick at Griffithstown Primary School play a key role in increasing civic pride and encouraging people to take an active role in preserving the environment in which they live and work.”
A range of events has been planned for Torfaen Sustainability Week, with a sustainability conference at Greenmeadow Community Farm on 12 October taking centre-stage.
Each of the seven days has a sustainability theme, from biodiversity to green travel. The week was launched on Saturday 10 October, Keep It Local Day, with a local producer market at Greenmeadow Community Farm, and ends on Friday 16 October, Green Travel Day.
More information and a programme events is included in October’s Torfaen Talks and is available online in the Torfaen Sustainability| area of the website.
The following websites may also be useful for people interested in green travel:
- Sewta – find out how car sharing can save you money and help the environment – www.sewtacarshare.com
- Cycling – find out more about cycling and cycle routes across Wales – www.sustrans.org.uk
- Walking – Find out how you can walk your way to health – www.ww2h.org.uk
