Sustainable Transport

"There's so much pollution in the air now, that if it weren't for our lungs, there'd be no place to put it all."

Robert Orben

Getting around Shrewsbury affects all aspects of sustainable development. The town was planned in medieval times - originally designed around the horse and cart. The growth of car use combined with this infrastructure causes serious congestion during peak times. This is beginning to have an economic impact, for example through delays in business deliveries.

In addition there are serious environmental impacts of car use especially on air quality. Also cars sitting in queues tends to be less efficient for fuel economy, which exacerbates global warming. Further transport matters raises issues of social inclusion especially in the rural areas where car use is so essential. Balancing these issues to improve quality of life for all is what sustainable development is all about. The council is commited to tackling this problem and has attempted to address it's own impact on air quality by using LPG vehicles for some of fleet and through implementing a sustainable travel plan for its new offices.

Transport is a big contributor to toxic emissions in the air in Shropshire. One of the sustainable solutions to this problem is using emission-free transport alternatives such as walking and cycling. With nearly half of all trips less than two miles, walking and cycling can easily account for 50% of all journeys made by reasonably healthy people. With 25% of all harmful fuel emissions being produced by road vehicles, the environmental impact in electing to walk or cycle rather than drive or take buses could be huge.

Bike 2 Work Scheme

This week from 16th to 24th June 2007 was national Bike Week - the UK's annual 'celebration of cycling'. Up and down the country a series of initiatives are going on to raise the profile of cycling. Cycling has a crucial role to play in tackling key sustainability issues such as obesity and climate change. Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council play their part by encouraging staff to cycle to work. 

For more information visit Bike Week

The 'Walk to School' Scheme

The 'Walk to school' scheme has proved to be a major success in the borough. The scheme is not only benefical to the environment as it is cutting vehicle emissions, it is also beneficial for children's health: health professionals recommend that children have aa hour's exercise a day to keep healthy. A 15 minute walk to and from school will take care of half of this.

Schools such as Holy Cross CE Primary School in Shrewsbury run a scheme called WoW, which stands for Walk on Wednesday. Pupils that walk to school every Wednesday for a month are given a collectable metal badge. There are different badges for each month of the year.

'Walk to School Week' October 2007 is coming!

This year the 'Walk to School' campaign wants to encourage children to use the scheme as an opportunity to get to know their local environment and to feel more in touch with their community. It is hoped that walking to school will regularly give children a "sense of place", meaning they are less likely to litter or allow dog fouling - making the streets better for everyone.

For more information visit Walk to School or Shropshire County Council

School Travel plans

Schools such as Coleham Primary School, Woodfield Infant School, and St.George's Junior School- pupils took part in classroom activities to encourage all modes of sustainable transport on the school journey. School travel plans are in place to promote more healthy and environmentally friendly modes of travelling to go school. Preparing a travel plan also creates excellent curriculum activities in a wide range of subjects including geography or ESD, ICT, PSHD and citizenship

See Shropshire County Council  for more details.

Considered alternative Fuels?

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a popular alternative to conventional diesel, and is an environmentally safe, low polluting fuel. It is made from fresh or waste vegetable oils that are a renewable energy source.

The Mayor commented: "By using renewable fuels such as biodiesel we can all play a vital part in helping to reduce CO2 emissions across the borough. Also because biodiesel is produced from locally grown crops, filing-up with the fuel can also help to support farmers and boost our local economy."

Can be used by any diesel engines without the need for conversion helps to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, which is the main gas involved in climate change.

You can now fill-up with B5 Biodiesel blend at a range of independent petrol retailers across the county, including on the Mount and Sutton Lane in Shrewsbury.

Environmental Impact of Air Travel

Air travel accounts for 3-5% of carbon dioxide emissions that are released internationally. With air travel on the increase and steps being taken, overall, to cut the amount of carbon emissions throughout industry, air transport is set to become the world's largest single contributor to global warming.

Personal Responsibility: In order to exert pressure on airlines to genuinely cut carbon emissions it may be necessary for the public to demonstrate their concerns about air travel by refraining from flying, whenever possible, and consider using alternative transport to many European destinations by coach and rail.

Use the bus!

Did you know that the average double-decker bus carries as many people as 22 cars and takes up just a seventh of the road space? Travelling by bus to work or into town in the Borough is therefore a 'greener' alternative to using the car constantly.

Travelling by bus has the added advantage of removing the stress of driving in congested traffic, alleviates the problems of finding a parking space, and gives employees the opportunity to read or work, listen to music, or just chat with friends or colleagues.

Local bus services.......................

To find bus routes near you view:

Arriva Bus

Or go to

Shropshire County Council's transport section

For more ideas about sustainable vehicles, alternative fuels and reducing fuel emissions visit

SustainableStuff