Car-share scheme to combat air pollution
9:00am Thursday 3rd November 2011
SKY-HIGH pollution levels in Colchester town centre are to be addressed with the launch of a new car-sharing campaign.
Colchester Council has been given a £14,000 grant from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to launch the Love Your Car campaign.
The aim is to cut levels of nitrogen dioxide being released by cars into the atmosphere. Levels exceed national and European standards in the town centre and on some surrounding roads.
Nick Barlow, Colchester councillor responsible for economic development, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this Government funding, which will make a significant difference in helping to reduce congestion and lower carbon emissions in the town.
“The council will launch an innovative project that aims to encourage car sharing, smarter driving techniques and travel planning.”
The project, run with Colchester 20/20’s travel plan club, will focus on reducing emissions on journeys that have to be made into the town centre.
Alongside car sharing, it will promote using less fuel through measures such as regular tyre checks, reading the road to avoid unnecessary braking and acceleration, turning off the engine when stuck in traffic and driving smoothly.
Two short films will be created and used on a website and in radio campaigns, and there will also be competitions and advertising in local media, shops and public areas. Brook Street and a stretch of Mersea Road are designated air quality management areas, and a number of other town centre roads are set to follow.
Colchester Council has been drawing up an action plan, which should see cars and lorries banned from the High Street during the day, from next spring, among a series of other congestion-busting measures.