HItravel: helping local residents to travel smarter in Inverness and Nairn

Next week sees the launch of the HItravel campaign in east Inverness and Nairn.  The work aims to help local residents to reduce traffic congestion, to make the areas more pleasant place to live, visit and spend time.

Led by The Highland Council and HITRANS (the regional transport partnership for the Highland and Islands), the campaign aims to improve the environment in addition to helping people be a bit more active.

Councillor Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Highland Council’s Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee and HITRANS Board Member explained: “HItravel is part of a range of activities to improve transport in the area.  Highland Council, HITRANS, Stagecoach and others are working to provide good quality infrastructure and transport services where they can. However, it’s up to everyone who travels to do their bit.”

Cars have an important role to play in our transport system, and are essential for many people’s journeys, yet no-one wants our communities to be dominated by traffic. Currently much car traffic is making local journeys. 

The campaign will highlight that there are good alternatives to the car for many journeys, and most drivers can save money on their motoring costs. Typically, you can save:

• Up to 15% by driving more efficiently
• Up to 30% by using the bus
• Up to 50% by car sharing with others
• Up to 100% of your fuel costs by walking or cycling for short journeys.

Different journey choices don’t always take much longer either. For the shortest journeys, walking and cycling can often be as quick as driving and one of the easiest ways for most of us to get the exercise that we need, for free! 

Over the next few weeks, the HItravel team will be offering information and advice to local people about their travel options; including work with local schools and with individuals at their workplaces.

For more information about HItravel, visit www.hitrans.org.uk/hitravel

Contact us if you want to discuss your own journey choices at hi-travel@jmp.co.uk