Community Partnership to address Sustainable Transport for rural communities at public event
The Community Partnership in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park will host a public lecture on the evening of 29 April at the National Park’s HQ in Balloch.
Under the title Sustainable Transport – Where Next for Our Rural Communities? sustainable transport expert Derek Halden will outline a vision for sustainable and active travel in our area. This is an opportunity to hear from one of Scotland’s most experienced transport visionaries about the future of public and private transport services, the transformational potential of new technologies and the opportunities for rural communities. A challenging talk will be followed by open questions.
“We are very much looking forward to hearing what Derek Halden has to offer on the topic of sustainable transport in rural areas,” said Tim Tindle, Chair of the Community Partnership.
“Derek has over 35 years of experience of designing, and delivering transport improvements in Scotland and we are particularly interested in his strong background in working with communities to make connections between people and places.”
Derek is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Former Chair of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Scotland, and a leading contributor to international think tanks and debates on the future of transport.
All members of the public are invited but places do need to be reserved in advance. To book a place, please contact Fiona Paul on 01389 727762 or email info@thecommunitypartnership.org.uk.
The lecture is the starting point for the Community Partnership’s plans to work with communities that want to help improve people’s lifestyles and environments by increasing their sustainable travel options.
The Community Partnership has been awarded grant funding of £39k by the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme to design and deliver a community learning programme which will inspire and support communities to increase their active and sustainable travel.
The new programme will be of interest to anyone who wants to get involved in reducing the use of private cars and increasing sustainable travel options. Projects to promote walking and cycling, car shares, community car pools, e-bikes, community transport, improvements to public transport, development of walking and cycling paths and route signage all count as sustainable travel.
“Many of us are committed to reducing our own individual carbon footprints and we know from some great examples of community-led initiatives that when people get together, the impact can be even greater,” said Anne Sobey, Development Manager of the Community Partnership.
“There are some common challenges in rural areas and we are very pleased that, due to this new funding, we have the chance to share experience about what works in our areas and make sure that people have the best information and skills to take forward their ideas.”
By taking part in the two day programme, which is due to run five times from August to December, participants will become familiar with the challenges presented by the climate emergency and the responses available to rural communities, gain a broad understanding of behaviour change and its application to sustainable travel initiatives and learn from the shared experience of community leaders who have designed and delivered rural initiatives.
There will be both a residential and non-residential option and the course is fully funded and at no cost to participants.
Dates and venues are yet to be confirmed but those interested are asked to contact Lara Moir in the first instance to note their interest.