Warwickshire News Mine

More than 9,000 households and 1,000 businesses have received a questionnaire in order to gauge interest in a car club. Residents’ views will help determine the likely shape of the car club that could serve both towns.

If you didn’t get one and are interested in finding out more then pick up a leaflet which includes a questionnaire, and the chance to win a satellite navigation system, from Warwick District Council’s offices, Shire Hall in Warwick, Leamington Spa and Lillington Libraries, Warwick Library/Barrack Street council reception and the CVS at the Town Hall in Leamington Spa. The survey will close on 16th March so be quick if you want to have your say.

The charity – Carplus – is the organisation that promotes car clubs and sustainable transport across the UK. They have played a part in helping the idea of car clubs grow to the extent that over 70,000 people in the UK have now joined car clubs.

A car club is a means of having access to a car without the need to own a vehicle. Cars are parked in several locations in a town and can be booked for as little as half an hour, depending on your needs. Cars are reserved on the internet or over the telephone and accessed using smartcard technology.

Simon Parker – Development Manager at Carplus said: “Car clubs are a great way of using the benefits of cars without the hassle and cost of owning one. Membership of a car club is far less expensive than the private car with members of car clubs across the UK reporting costs savings of 50 per cent or more.

“Carplus is working closely with Warwickshire County Council to see if the concept of car clubs will work in the county. We are confident that this part of the Midlands will have a successful car club to help cut peoples mobility costs and have a positive impact on the environment. If so it could prove of benefit to small businesses and employers in the location too.

“Once car clubs are established, the environmental benefits are enormous, as there will be fewer cars on the road - which will lead to less pollution, less congestion and fewer parking problems. Operators of car clubs in cities across the UK report that for every car club vehicle created, at least seven existing cars are taken off the road, and these are often older more polluting vehicles.”

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "We are all looking at ways to save money at the moment, and this scheme appears to do just that, while also helping to protect the environment by encouraging responsible car use.

“Evidence indicates that the scheme often results in older, more polluting cars being taken off the road, which can only be a benefit to the environment as well as removing the burden of ownership."

Further information about car clubs and Carplus can be found at http://www.carplus.org.uk or for more information on travel in Warwickshire see http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/travel.

Link to WCC