Sustainable transport
Next time you find yourself reaching for the car keys out of habit, why not stop and think if there is an alternative way to make your journey? A few tips to help you on the way.
- Find out if public transport could be an alternative for your journeys by visiting Traveline
- The Worcestershire Car share Database offers a free service to help you find potential car sharing matches for your commuting journey.
- See our pages on Cycling for details of local routes, including a free Wyre Forest Walking and Cycling map. and information about free cycle training for adults.
- Visit Spokes (off Stourport Road, Kidderminster) and bag a bargain refurbished bike- they have hundreds to choose from!
- See our pages on Walking for details of local routes and walking groups.
- See our pages on Community Transport Services for advice on concessionary travel (bus passes) and the blue badge scheme.
- Thinking of going electric? Visit Zap Map for information about electric vehicles, charging guidance, government grants and details of charge points available locally and throughout the UK.
If you do need to drive then try to avoid excessive braking and acceleration to save fuel and enjoy a more comfortable journey. Don’t forget to check your tyre pressures regularly as well.
Electric vehicles and charging
New laws introduced in January 2024 mean that 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
Our Corporate Plan 2023-27 states that we will produce and implement a carbon reduction plan and that we will install electric vehicle (EV) charging points in car parks in all three towns. In March 2024, we awarded a contract for just under 200 fast and rapid EV charging points to be installed in 22 council-owned car parks and sites across the district, at no cost to the Council. Our press release includes details of where we plan to install them, and further details will be released in due course. You can find details of existing charge point locations throughout the country on the Zap Map website.
Switching from a petrol or diesel car to an electric one is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. The Energy Saving Trust has lots of useful information about electric vehicles. Other ways to further reduce your carbon footprint are to install solar panels or to switch to a green tariff and then use this renewable energy to charge your car at home if you have your own charger.
Information on the current government grants available to help with the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers is available from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.