29 August 2006 - The Harrogate District Action for the Environment Group is holding a special public meeting on transport issues at 7.30pm on Tuesday 12 September, at the Council Offices, Crescent Gardens, Harrogate.  All members of the public are welcome.

 

The meeting, which is part of the Action for the Environment Group's work to promote sustainable development across the district, will feature a talk by David Hall, from the national transport charity Sustrans.  David will speak about ways of reducing transport problems through a scheme called Active Travel.  In the UK, our current transport patterns are unsustainable because of increasing congestion, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. We are also seeing a rise in obesity and other health problems.  Active Travel tackles these issues by encouraging people to get out of their cars, and try alterative modes of transport.

 

There are many ways we can address these issues", said Cllr Richard Cooper, Cabinet Member for the Environment who has special responsibility for tackling traffic congestion.  "One of the key things is to encourage people to think carefully about when to use their cars. This meeting is a big step in the right direction in helping people find out about the alternatives."

 

 

NOTES TO EDITIORS: The Action for the Environment Group's aim is to stimulate new projects and promote environmental issues particularly focusing on waste and recycling, energy, water waste, transport and the local environment. The group consists of representatives from local businesses, community groups, voluntary organisations, environmental interest groups and public sector organisations covering the Harrogate District.

 

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Their vision is a world in which people can choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.