More than 2,000 homes across Shirley have signed up for free customised travel advice to get leaner and greener and beat soaring petrol prices in the process.
Expert travel advisers have spent the last eleven weeks visiting more than 7,000 homes near the Stratford Road and Shirley Railway Station to tell families how they can take advantage of the full range of travel options on their doorstep.
Of those visited, a total of 2,073 have sat down with advisers from the Smarter Travel Solihull project to receive free personalised travel plans showing exactly how residents can get from their own front door to their destination without having to jump in the car.
And with the Retail Motor Industry Independent Petrol Retailers Association warning only this week that the cost of filling up at the pumps could rise three per cent by the forthcoming August Bank Holiday weekend and by eight per cent early next year, more households are expected to sign up for personal journey plans before the scheme ends next week.
The project, which is being led by transport authority Centro in partnership with Solihull Council and local bus and train operators, has involved the seven travel advisers providing a wealth of information and advice about greener, healthier travel options.
The individual travel plans, designed to encourage residents to switch to local bus and rail services and to make more local trips on foot or bike, have been well received by residents, according to Kerry Swingler, Centro’s project manager for the Smarter Travel Solihull project.
"We've had a fantastic response from people who have been quick to recognise the benefits of getting personalised advice and information to help make them switch to cheaper, healthier and more environmentally friendly forms of travel," she said.
“The advisers have also been helping to support the local economy by highlighting the wide range of local facilities available, many of which are quicker to reach on foot, bike or bus than by car. "
Between now and the end of the project on August 20, the team of Travel Advisers will visit at least another 500 homes in the Cranmore area to invite householders to discuss the travel options that may be available.
There will also be the opportunity for householders to feedback any comments they have about travelling around Solihull.
The project is being endorsed by Solihull councillors David Jamieson (Lab Kingshurst and Fordbridge) and Ken Rushen (Lib Dem Lyndon) who both represent Solihull on Centro.
Meanwhile families are bracing themselves for an expected rises in petrol prices.
The Retail Motor Industry Independent Petrol Retailers Association warned on Monday (August 9) that currency movements and world oil price increases could leave drivers paying as high as 125.9p per litre in the New Year, smashing the current record high of 121.61p. This increase would take into account the rise in VAT and the planned hike in fuel duty.
Residents wanting further information on the Smarter Travel Solihull project can contact the travel advisers on Tel: 0121 214 7184 or by e-mail: smartertravelsolihull@centro.org.
