CAR FREE DAY TO BE BIGGEST EVER

From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, August 06, 2008



In a time when petrol prices, and credit crunches are making us all think about cut backs, changing the way you get to work could have a helping hand in September with Devon Car Free Day. Not only to save cost, but to do yout part for the environment, you are encouraged to look for alternate means to get to your workplace.

THIS year's Devon Car Free Day will be the biggest ever with Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council all working in partnership on the event for the first time on Monday 22 September.

The day, which is part of the county's TravelWise campaign, will see employers across Devon asked to encourage staff to leave their cars at home and try an alternative way of travelling to work.

Prizes of £50 worth of vouchers are again being offered as an incentive for people to enter one of four categories: best team effort, the most creative way of getting to work, the furthest distance travelled to work by green transport and the regular 'green traveller' award.

"The aim of the day is to get people to leave their cars at home and explore other options of getting to work and out and about. I hope that many people take the opportunity to support the day, if we all make a small change the impact is huge. Hopefully if enough people take up this challenge then it will demonstrate the positive benefits of reducing traffic in the Bay and across Devon."

Every company which encourages and supports its staff to take part will be entered into a draw for a prize of £1,000 to be spent on green travel initiatives for staff such as cycle storage, pool bikes, or bus vouchers.

Last year, in the various categories, Devon County Council's Children and Young People's Services Policy and Strategy Officers won the Best Team Effort for their 13-strong walking bus on the day. The team donated their £50 prize to the Shirts4Spoon Charity in memory of late colleague Malcolm Baker and the fantastic work he did as a champion for children.

Harriet Davies, from the Barn Owl Trust, won both the Regular Green Traveller and the Furthest Distance Travelled to Work by Green Transport categories for cycling a seventy mile round trip from Crediton to Ashburton through the Teign Valley two or three times a week throughout last summer, whatever the weather.

The prize for Most Creative Way of Getting to Work was shared between Mark Bailey, who works for the Mid Devon Transport Group in Tiverton, and Jon Parkinson and Roger English from South Hams District Council. Mark walked from his home to the bus stop in Sandford, carrying a mini canoe and mini bicycle. He caught the Turners coach to Cowley Bridge, then canoed down the river Exe to Haven Banks. Back on terra firma he cycled to the Young Farmers Centre for his meeting with the canoe on his back.

Jon Parkinson and Roger English completed a mini-triathlon on their way to work. Jon cycled from Brixham to Greenaway and Roger cycled from Strete to Dittisham. They then kayaked for an hour on the river Dart, stowed the kayak at Steamer Quay and then ran for two miles to the council offices in Totnes.

To enter the competition email travelwise@devon.gov.uk with the name of your organisation, the number of staff taking part, the category you're entering and what your organisation would spend the prize money on.

For more information please contact Lesley Smith, Travelwise Officer, 01392 382089.