Steering away from cars

Commuters are to be encouraged to use greener forms of transport under a pilot scheme being introduced in Bingham.

The town is the first in the county to take part in the Smarter Choices Town Project and was chosen because of its problems with congestion and parking.

The project, run by Nottinghamshire County Council, will involve asking staff and customers of businesses how they get to and from work, and suggesting greener alternatives.

A roadshow promoting sustainable transport is likely to be held in the town centre in the summer.

The council’s travel plan officer, Mr Andrew Barnes, is on the team leading the project.

He said: “It is about making people aware of what options are available in terms of sustainable transport.

“We will be helping medium to large organisations develop travel plans. We will engage with the business and the public who use the business.

“A starting point would be how they travel. If they didn’t travel that way what would they do? If there is a measure to encourage people to cycle to work we would do that.

“We need to get a better overall picture about how staff travel and what motivates them to travel that way.”

He said people who live out of town may find driving more convenient because there is not a regular bus service where they live.

Mr Barnes said it was the first time the council had carried out a project such as this.

He said Bingham was initially chosen because comments made by Rushcliffe Borough Council about the town’s parking problems.

Mr Barnes said: “It does link with parking but it is not about providing more spaces, although it could relieve pressure on spaces.

“We are coming at it from an environmental angle. The fewer cars, the better.”

The team will work in partnership with the Nottingham charitable trust, The Big Wheel, which encourages people to use the sustainable network of trams, trains, buses, walking and cycling.

It will also investigate various transport surveys carried out in the past.

On Tuesday, members of Bingham Town Council’s environment committee gave their backing to the project.

Members suggested Mr Barnes should contact Bingham Business Club for a list of businesses in the town.

Councillors also offered the use of the Old Courthouse, if needed, for consultation.