Pump price rise could change habits
Warnings this week that fuel prices at the pumps could hit an all-time high at more than £1.20 a litre could be the catalyst to spark behaviour change in Warwickshire’s travelling public.
With even the simple school run soon to start costing a couple of pounds in fuel motorists are expected to start looking for alternatives.
Warwickshire County Council is now working on many levels to make travel as easy and economical as possible.
The authority is helping schools to develop school travel plans, where youngsters can safely get out of the cars and get to school by foot or cycle.
Similarly with spring approaching cycle training sessions for adults wanting to get back on their bikes after years off the saddle are being available to give that confidence boost.
Cycling just one day a week to work a couple of miles will take 20 per cent of the cars off the road, make for a healthier lifestyle and save money.
Those who cannot cycle in are being asked to look at car sharing as a possible option. The county council has several hundred staff signed up to a car sharing database, and ten per cent of all staff parking is now car sharing only.
However, a study by the county council’s transport survey team has found that few people in the county are car sharing and that occupancy levels in cars remain extremely low, with all areas averaging under two people per car – there are five seats in most people’s cars.
Latest figures from the survey team reveal the following average occupancy levels:
Bedworth – 1.44 people
Kenilworth – 1.3 people
Leamington – 1.26 people
Nuneaton – 1.32 people
Rugby – 1.32 people
Stratford – 1.28 people
Warwick – 1.27 people
Cllr Alan Cockburn, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: “This latest price rise on fuel is sure to hit people, and it may take some time for them to realise the impact. By looking at public transport, cycling, or car sharing options, they are helping the environment, saving themselves money, and quite often improving their health.
“It’s sure to get more appealing for cyclists as well when the clocks change in the early hours of Sunday, March 28, and bring the lighter evenings.”
The £1.20 a litre fuel price warning came today from motoring organisation the AA which stated that the weaker pound is aggravating the potential for price rises – even before the Government is scheduled on 1 April to add 3p in fuel duty and VAT on to the cost of petrol and diesel*.
Visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/travel for more information on travel in Warwickshire, or for more information on getting back on a bike click on ‘starting out cycling’ on the link above – or call Mary Holliday on 01926 412776.