Leave the car at home on Monday

Sep 19 2008 Steve Hughes

Leave the car at home on Monday

MOTORISTS in more than 20 towns and cities will be attempting to get to work on Monday without using their cars as part of World Car Free Day.

They will be attempting to reach their places of work by using bicycles or public transport in what is now a global event that was first staged in Britain by the Environmental Transport Association.

The same event last year involved almost 2,000 towns and cities in 38 countries around the world.

Car Free Day focuses on highlighting the need for improved public transport as an alternative to car travel and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The event coincides with the results of research conducted by the ETA on the attitudes of British drivers to the CO2 emitted by their cars.

More than a third said they were aware that their car was responsible for pollution but did not feel there was a practical alternative to driving.

Ten per cent felt guilty about the emissions and had already reduced the amount they drove.

The same proportion felt that reducing their mileage would not make any difference to the environment.

ETA director Andrew Davis says: ?With people facing high fuel prices and concerns about the environment, this year?s Car Free Day is timely. ``The idea is not to put cars on trial or to totally condemn drivers? desire for mobility but rather to reconsider the way we travel.

?European surveys have shown that more than 60 per cent of people say that city traffic is unbearable. Nine out of ten people believe that increasing public transport is a priority in combating air pollution and seven out of ten say they support a ban on car traffic in the centre of cities on certain days.?

Areas involved in the event on Monday include Brighton, Bungay, Derby, Devon, Plymouth, Torbay, Harrogate, Hastings, Lewes, London, Maidstone, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Reading, Edinburgh, Glasgow, West Lothian, Sheffield, Walsall and Worthing.