Greenwich has won awards for two initiatives that aim to reduce car use and encourage people to walk more.
The accolades were presented at the Transport for London awards for sustainable travel.
Who won?
The annual Maritime Greenwich Car Festival won Good Going Event of the Year and Thorntree Primary School won School of the Year for their Travel Plan.
Car free festival
The Maritime Greenwich Car Free Festival is a one-day event that takes place each summer. Greenwich town centre is closed to traffic and residents and visitors are provided with a range of activities and entertainments.
Last year’s successful September event included:
- a beach area
- a sand sculpture
- a nine-hole mini-golf game
- a giant whale
- a pirate’s grotto.
The purpose of the day is to:
- create awareness of alternatives to car travel
- promote the environmental and health benefits of reducing the number of cars on the road.
This year’s Maritime Greenwich Car Free Festival will be held on Sunday 17 September in Greenwich Town Centre. Further details will be available soon.
School travel plans
School Travel Plans aim to reduce congestion and improve the environment by encouraging pupils and parents to walk or take public transport to school.
Thorntree Primary School in Charlton started their School Travel Plan in summer 2005. Since then, 22% more of their pupils have started walking to school.
They have a Walking on Wednesdays programme that regularly attracts a high number of pupils that walk to school together.
Find out more about school travel plans
Improving quality of life
Cllr Rajwant Sidhu, Greenwich Council Cabinet Member for Greener Greenwich, said:
"These awards prove that Greenwich is a borough committed to improving the environment and promoting healthier lifestyles.
"Initiatives such as Car Free Festival and walking to school prove that we can improve our quality of life by leaving the car at home.
"We can all contribute towards helping the environment by taking simple steps such as using the car less. And it goes without saying – walking and cycling on a summer’s day are much more pleasant than being stuck in a traffic jam!"
Walking in Greenwich
Cycling in Greenwich
17 July 2006.