Transport emissions make up 32% of the carbon footprint in B&NES, and that makes it one of the areas where any changes we make can have the biggest impact on protecting the planet.
Living in a rural community this is particularly challenging, as public transport is scarce and individual and household needs are complex. The COVID pandemic has also changed our patterns of work and leisure and perhaps shown some of the benefits of fewer vehicles and planes in the sky, and of walking, running and cycling on our lanes and footpaths.
The EH C&NEWG Transport Report details some of the challenges we face and outlines the B&NES vision for decarbonising transport. You can see the outcomes of a recent survey about safe walking routes to school and some proposals about what we could do next to improve this situation. How would the village look if we really supported active travel (walking & cycling) and safe pedestrian walkways to key parts of the village? How can this be balanced with various other transport needs?
The report recommends a Parish-wide consultation including the chance to hear from different ‘stakeholder’ groups to identify needs and the potential for change and invites the Parish to create a Transport Strategy where the needs of parishioners and the planet are embedded in its logic. It also recommends a cross-parish approach to improving public & shared transport, something which is already underway via the Chew Valley Area Forum Climate & Nature Emergency Working Group.
In ten years’ time how might things be different? One thing we do know is there will be no new petrol cars in the village as Government Policy has outlawed production by 2030. Let’s work together to think about how we can move forward.
Editor – Jackie Head (jch.221@gmail.com)
EAST Sustainable Transport Survey July 2022
CV C&NE WG Proposal for 2 new bus routes in the Chew Valley Sept 22