THURROCK Council’s work on promoting and changing the way people travel locally has been recognised by national government.
The council was acknowledged this week in the Department for Transport’s first year’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund report for its innovative ideas to create local economic growth while cutting carbon emissions at the same time.
Thurrock was awarded £5 million LSTF funding over four years and has strived to change local people’s attitudes towards looking at sustainable means of transport rather than automatically choosing the car option.
Cllr Andy Smith, portfolio holder for transport said: “It’s satisfying to know the work we are doing is being recognised nationally.
“It is essential that – as roads become more congested – alternative means of transport are considered and developed, things like public transport, cycling and walking.
“It not only makes economic sense, but it reduces our carbon emissions and is a far healthier option for us all.”
The three specific initiatives highlighted by the DfT were: the introduction of station travel plans for Grays and Chafford Hundred stations; a “walk to school month” developed and operated successfully at 18 of the borough’s schools; and Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving courses – delivered by the council’s Freight Quality Partnership – which provided lessons in driving techniques for drivers of heavy goods vehicles aimed at reducing fuel consumption and increasing safe driving behaviour.
