Promoting alternatives to the car

The team from Darlington-based Local Motion will be in town until next month to promote alternatives to the car, including cycling, walking and public transport.

They are visiting homes in the Fens and Rossmere ward to ask residents what measures would most likely encourage them to adopt sustainable forms of travel, they are working with job seekers to learn more about the transport barriers that prevent some people taking up employment and they are also visiting schools to talk to pupils.

Local Motion which actively supports greener, healthier forms of travel, is working on behalf of the Hartlepool Active Travel Hub, an initiative to promote sustainable travel that is led by Hartlepool Borough Council and funded through the Government’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund.

Hartlepool Active Travel Hub co-ordinator Tony Davison with Jonathan Scott, Peter Chesworth, Lynn Williams and Paul Haigh from Local Motion

During its stay in the town, the team is working out of the Hartlepool Enterprise Centre in Brougham Terrace.

Tony Davison, Hartlepool Council’s Sustainable Travel Officer who co-ordinates the work of the Hub, said: “The Local Motion team has previously carried out surveys on our behalf so this latest visit is an opportunity to build on progress already made in terms of promoting sustainable travel.

“As well as visiting homes for the first time, team members will also be following up previous contacts.

“Following its visit to the town, the team will produce a report for the Hub and this will be a useful planning tool when it comes to deciding our priorities for action and bidding for funding.”