Lakes to see green travel schemes take place

Date: 19/7/2012

People in the Lake District are to be encouraged to get on their bikes, and ditch their cars, as part of the Drive Less See More Challenge Week.

As part of the week, the £1 charge for those who use the ferry to cross Lake Windermere will be waived for those using their bike.

The ferry, which is operated by Cumbria County Council, runs between Ferry Nab near Bowness and Far Sawrey on the western shore of the lake with the plans designed to encourage local and tourists to opt for a greener transport routine.

The scheme is to run from 22nd until 29th July with councillor, Tim Knowles, who is also the transport and environment portfolio holder for the council, saying it was as much about raising environmental awareness as promoting the region's landscape.

"Waiving the fee for anyone travelling by bicycle or electric bike on the ferry for the week of the promotion is a small gesture which demonstrates the county council’s commitment to encouraging more sustainable ways of getting around," he said.

He said that those who take up the opportunity to travel for free on the ferry during the week will have the chance to see more of what the region has to offer.

"Travelling the Lakes by bike, bus, boat or boot offers a completely different experience from just driving around. You really do see more if you drive less," he added.

As well as this scheme, A Go Cycle, Go Walk, Go Lakes Festival is also scheduled to take place in Staveley on July 22nd.

This festival will include such activities as guided walks, bike rides, electric bike try-outs, stunt displays, a cycle roadshow and even circus entertainment on the village playing fields.

This is part of the GoLakes Travel drive, which is a £6.9m project being run by Cumbria County Council, Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourism.

It is designed to get visitors to the region using sustainable forms of transport in order to reduce the area’s CO2 emissions by around 11,000 tonnes by 2015.

Posted by Nick Anderson