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Loughborough in Town Without My Car Day
Posted on 18/09/2008
THE Mayor of Charnwood is swapping his chauffeured vehicle for public transport to mark In Town Without My Car Day.
In Town, Without My Car! is now a firmly established date in the calendar of governments across Europe and beyond. On the 22nd of September every year, town centre streets close to cars and lorries, and open up for people to enjoy walking, cycling, street theatre, live music, dancing, public art and childrens play areas.
In Town, Without My Car! allows us to question what our town centre streets are really for, and whether we have got the balances right between the differing and often competing needs of street users. Should our high streets and residential suburbs be designed to maximise throughput of motor traffic, or should the emphasis be on designing social spaces where people can enjoy shopping and other activities in relative peace and quiet and safety? In Town, Without My Car! gives us some quiet time to pause and reflect on these issues, and a tantalising glimpse of what our town centre streets could be like with less motor traffic.
Cllr Stephen Campbell (Conservative councillor for Thurmaston) will be hopping on the Number 27 bus service from Asda at Thurmaston to Loughborough on Saturday (September 20) to attend the Action for a Better Charnwood event in the Market Place.
In Town Without My Car Day is a national initiative which aims to encourage people to think of using alternative forms of transport " and Action for a Better Charnwood will be handing out bus timetables and information on how people can do this.
Normally, the Mayor, Cllr Campbell, and the Mayoress, Cllr Brenda Seaton, are transported to official engagements in a leased Volvo S80 but they will catch the Number 27 from Asda at Thurmaston at 10am on Saturday morning to travel to Loughborough.
Cllr Campbell said: "I am delighted to be able to draw attention to In Town Without My Car Day. In these days of rising fuel costs, we should all be looking at leaving the car at home where possible.
"To be able to get a bus from Asda at Thurmaston into the centre of Loughborough is a terrific service and while it takes a little longer than the car, its good for the environment.
"Its a good way for people to meet up with their neighbours and its a great way to see some of the beautiful Soar Valley countryside as well.
Tony Stott, the chairperson of Action for a Better Charnwood that has arranged the Loughborough in Town Without My Car Day, said: "We are trying to encourage the use of non-car transport and that might be public transport, walking or cycling.
"In a sense, we are thinking about the impact on climate change but also about the high increase in fuel costs.
"Its good and important the Mayor is supporting this by getting on the bus himself.
The Number 27 is an hourly service between Loughborough, Syston and Thurmaston, which also provides direct links across the Soar Valley between Mountsorrel, Sileby and Barrow.
It is jointly funded by Leicestershire County Council, David Wilson Homes, Miller Homes and the Rothley Lodge Development.
Cllr Richard Shepherd (Conservative councillor for Quorn & Mountsorrel Castle), the Leader of Charnwood Borough Council, added: "Service 27 provides an important public transport link in our Borough.
"I think its great that the Mayor and Mayoress have chosen to use it and publicise it in this way.