Harrogate Borough Council

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11 September 2008 - A council that has improving the environment as its top priority is backing the organisers of Harrogate's first 'car free day' on 24 September 2008.

 

Harrogate Borough Council has pledged its support saying it is totally in favour of any initiative that can play a part in reducing congestion on roads, especially at peak time.  Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, said:  "Over the past few months, I have been happy to meet organisers of the day to discuss this initiative.  I applaud their determination to make this first car free day a success and hopefully it will become an annual event. 

 

"We all want to encourage residents to choose alternative means of getting to work, to school or into the town centre other than by car.  The national news is telling us that traffic congestion is reducing with the increased cost of fuel.  This 'car free' day will make people think differently and we would certainly hope that as they find it isn't perhaps so difficult to use alternative modes of transport, even just one day a week, it will make a lasting impact.  The council is getting involved in a number of promotions for the day and is working with Transdev Harrogate and District to promote bus travel."

 

Dave Alexander, MD of Transdev Harrogate and District is encouraging people to sign up for a free bus pass on the 24^th.   "We are delighted to support this initiative and we would ask non-bus users to register their support at www.harrogateanddistrict.co.uk and to claim their free one day zone 1 ticket so they can see for themselves how bus travel has improved."

 

The Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, Councillor John Fox, is also embracing this initiative and will leave his civic car in the garage that day.  He said:  "The Mayor's diary is often packed back to back with events.  But I am making sure that on the 24^th, I will be able to leave home and get to my diary commitments by bus or train or even on foot. 

 

"This car free day will signal a very clear message to those who hold the transport purse strings at central government, that people do want to see investment in other forms of transport.  The council is doing all it can through the Leeds City Region to make sure that transport investment comes our way."   ENDS

 

 

 

§         Encouraging staff to avoid using the car on the 24^th and make a pledge on the council's intranet to help with evaluation

§         Providing a database of local businesses for the organisers to contact to seek their involvement

§         Featuring the car free day in its free business newspaper

§         Schools  -  The Mayor is attending car free assemblies at Coppice Valley and St Peter's Primary Schools; Year 6 debate in the council chamber -  is car free day a good idea? Car free poetry workshops; Step-o-meter activities; Poster competitions; Oatlands Junior School Bike it day; Adult cycle training; Facilitating the September Action for the Environment meeting on 16 September

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