Sustainable Modes of Travel

The University is, through implementation of its Travel Plan, working to help make the campus and Preston a healthier and more sustainable place in which to work, study and visit.

Using sustainable modes of travel means that we are reducing congestion and carbon emissions as well as noise.  Reducing our reliance on the private car means a healthier and safer environment and a more active population.

A large number of trips in the UK are very short - nearly a quarter of all journeys are under 1 mile and almost three-quarters are under 5 miles in length.  Rather shockingly a high proportion of these short trips are made by car - 23% of journeys under a mile are made by car and 33% of journeys of 1 – 2 miles.  In fact in 2005 it was reported that 69% of all car journeys were less than 5 miles.

According to Sustrans if everyone in the UK was to replace just one return car journey per week with a walk, bike ride or public transport, overall traffic levels would reduce by 10%.  If, as a nation, we choose to invest more in creating a pleasant environment for walking and cycling, and did more to promote and improve public transport, then evidence suggests that we could double the number of sustainable local journeys to four out of five, and transform the quality of living in our neighbourhoods and communities.