Travel Switch on the Cards in Ipswich

Posted: 10th May 2010 | Source: Sustrans

Car use in Ipswich could drop considerably if a travel project that started this month is successful.

An Ipswich transport report released in March showed that 78 per cent of all journeys within Ipswich are made in a car or van, with just 6 per cent of journeys made by bus and 16 per cent on foot or by bike.

Over the next four months sustainable transport charity Sustrans is hoping to change that as part of a project known as TravelSmart.

Around 17,000 households across Ipswich will be offered a tailor-made pack of local information on walking, cycling and public transport, to make it easier to switch to these alternatives to the car for short local journeys. Similar Sustrans projects have seen a reduction in car use of between 10 and 14 per cent.

Sue Hall, Sustrans Project Officer in Ipswich, said; 'A large proportion of journeys in Ipswich are made by car or van, but this could be changed by giving people decent information about the local walking and cycling routes and public transport services that they could use.

'Currently only two out of every five UK journeys under 5 miles are made on foot, by bike and by public transport and we would like to see that double over the next ten years. But it will take more than just a willing public; governments need to make it a priority for local transport planning.'

Suffolk County Councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning said; 'Effective promotion of sustainable transport is a local priority and we are pleased to be delivering this in partnership for Ipswich residents.'

The TravelSmart project will be delivered by Sustrans and partners Socialdata, with support from Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk County Council.