GREEN GUIDE - Markham Publishing

Sustrans – Helping you toget around!Cutting the number of car journeys we make reduces gridlock andcuts down on the amount of pollution we pump into the air.The origins of Sustrans, shorthand for sustainabletransport, are rooted back in the 1970s when concernsfor environment, triggered by the oil crisisprompted the formation of a Bristol-based cyclinggroup. The group’s original programme, a modestfive mile circular cycle route routes has since blossomedinto the 8,000 mile-long National CycleNetwork that criss-crosses the UK from Belleek inNorthern Ireland to Beccles in Norfolk and from theIsle of Wight to the Shetland Islands. With new sectionsof the route opening up all the time Sustransare well on the way to meeting its target of 10,000miles open by mid-2005.The Network is the most visible of all Sustrans projectsbut it is not the only one and the charity hasdeveloped a diverse range of ways to encourageeveryone to use alternatives to car travel. Their SafeRoutes to Schools programme works with localcommunities to make the school journey safer andhealthier for everyone while Active Travel targetslocal health authorities to encourage visitors,patients and health workers to walk or cycle more.They are also researching the health impact of sustainabletransport, and the benefits are already clear,it’s reported that regular cyclists enjoy a fitness levelequivalent to being ten years younger than their realage, and cycling or walking for just 30 minutes eachday can halve the risk of heart disease.Sustrans’ innovative TravelSmart project providestailor-made travel information for people keen tominimise car-use and community-based HomeZones encourages the development of residentialareas where people have priority over cars.The UK’s ever-increasing traffic levels heighten theurgency to find other ways of getting around – wehave the worst levels of congestion in Europe andthe National Road Traffic forecasts predict that trafficwill increase by 65 per cent over 30 years (from1997 levels). All this has an obvious environmentalimpact, in the UK in 1998, transport was responsiblefor 53 per cent of all nitrogen oxides emissionsand 74 per cent of carbon monoxide emissions.The solutions offered by Sustrans are already makinga difference, 126 million trips were made on theNetwork in 2003, nearly one third of those replaceda car journey meaning that as many as 38 million cartrips were avoided. The traffic-free routes are especiallygood for novice cyclists and are equally appealingto walkers, joggers, and anyone looking forhealthy ways of getting around. The Network followsdiverse routes, from quiet country lanes to challengingtracks past stunning scenery to popular commuterpaths. Over the years Sustrans has also commissionedstunning pieces of art to punctuate theroutes, from natural sculptures by Andy Goldsworthyto innovative versions of those essentials for the travelweary – benches and drinking fountains.There are many ways to get involved in Sustrans’work, from looking after a section of the route as aVolunteer Ranger to becoming a Supporter, or simplyby getting out and enjoying the Network.By Gill Harrison. To find out more about Sustrans,Volunteer Rangers, becoming a Supporter, and theNational Cycle Network, maps and guides visitwww.sustrans.org.uk or call 0117 929 0888.We have the worst levels of congestion inEurope and the National Road Trafficforecasts predict that traffic will increaseby 65 per cent over 30 years267