News - Up to £10k to encourage greener travel

28th April 2010

Cardiff Council is offering grants of up to £10,000 to organisations,schools or colleges that are eager to get involved in sustainable travel and can put forward an effective travel plan.

As part of the ongoing Sustainable Travel City initiative, jointly funded by the Assembly Government, the grants will be available to successful applicants who can demonstrate their plans will achieve a reduction in the number of people driving to work on their own or making the school run in a car.

Sustainable Travel City is now entering its second year and aims to reduce congestion and pollution in Cardiff and give citizens and visitors more opportunity and the right information to allow them to travel safely by walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.

Engaging local organisations is essential and the grant money can be used to support the provision of facilities such as travel information centres, cycle parking, lockers, bike training or car share schemes. Further information is available at: www.keepingcardiffmoving.co.uk.

Executive Member for Transport Cllr Delme Bowen said: Sustainable Travel City is a vital scheme that involves a number of different components, all working together to keep our city moving and pollution decreasing. It is absolutely essential for our future success and the involvement of organisations across the city is a huge bonus. Last year's take-up was extremely heartening and I am confident many others will use the opportunity to come to us for both financial support and advice this year as well.

Wales Millennium Centre was one of the organisations which successfully applied for a grant in 2009.

Head of Visitor Services Leonie Wallace said: Wales Millennium Centre is keen to promote cycling to work as part of its commitment to reducing the organisation's impact on the environment and creating opportunities for improving staff health and welfare. The £10,000 grant recently awarded to Wales Millennium Centre by Cardiff Council under its Keeping Cardiff Moving grant scheme will enable us to improve our bike facilities. It will also help us to promote cycling amongst our own staff and all the resident companies at the Centre.

“The funds have enabled us to buy sheltered cycle parking, an additional pool bike and accessories for a grab bag that cyclist commuters can use if they forget their own tools or need to fix a puncture. The grant will also finance the Centre's annual CYCLING TO WORK promotion day when we bring in Cycling Training Wales to do cycle training and Dr.Bike sessions which help new cyclists dust off their bikes and gain confidence."

Applicants are invited to discuss their proposal before applying. Contact the council on travelplans@cardiff.gov.uk or 02920 873722. The closing date to apply for funding is Friday 4th June.