We have won funding from DEFRA to launch a pilot clean air project in Saffron Walden.
The vision
The clean air project will pilot green modes of transport and encourage active travel in the town, with the long-term aim of reducing car use for short in-town journeys, to help reduce road congestion and improve air quality. This will include piloting and encouraging take up of a range of shared transport schemes such as: e-bike hire, e-cargo bike hire, zero emissions deliveries, electric vehicle car club and 'try before you buy' bikes
What
Saffron Walden Clean Air project is a DEFRA funded project aimed at creating a 'cleaner, healthier and greener' Saffron Walden for everyone to enjoy. We want to encourage active travel where possible so that people see walking or cycling as their first choice of transport for short in town journeys.
Why
This project is being undertaken to improve air quality in Saffron Walden. The medieval road layout of the town means that high volumes of vehicles including HGVs come into close proximity with high numbers of pedestrians. Elevated emissions are associated with high volumes of slow-moving traffic, stopping and starting to negotiate junctions and pedestrian crossings, leading to higher levels of emissions than free flowing traffic.
Despite recent improvements in air quality we recognise that there is a need to do more to reduce emissions of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter and make the town a healthier place to live.
Where
This project and funding is specific to Saffron Walden town only. However, if successful, we hope that some of our pilot zero emission shared transport schemes will be able to be replicated across the district at a later date. The project provides a unique opportunity to test different methods of operation to see what will work best for our communities.
Events
Please do come and meet our Climate Change team at any one of these free events, and have some fun too!
Thursday 1 June - World bike day, Market Square, Saffron Walden, 10am to 3pm
Free family rides around Saffron Walden
The free family rides around Saffron Walden will be led by trained professionals to increase your awareness, confidence and skills cycling on the road.
You can book your session on the Essex cycle ready website:
Bring your old or broken bikes in need of some love to the bike doctor to get them fixed for free! Whether they just need a check over and an oil or some more serious TLC come along and get your wheels ready for a summer of cycling!
We are running this event in conjunction with Saffron Walden Town Council.
Saturday 10 June - ECO Fair, the Common, Saffron Walden
Come and join us at the Eco Fair on the Common from 10am to 4pm where you'll find:
free e-cargo bike try-outs from Outspoken cycles
Energy savings Trust to talk about EV cars and how to save money and energy in your home
Community energy south - how you can set up community energy groups and projects and access funding - come and talk to them
Our Climate Change and Recycling & Waste teams will be there to offer advice and hear your opinions.
Sunday 16 July - free advanced led bike rides, Saffron Walden
Join one of our advanced bike rides to see more of the lovely countryside around Saffron Walden.
Routes of approximately 2 hours in length led by professionals to increase your confidence cycling further afield round Saffron Walden and to Audley End station.
Competent children welcome - but must be able to ride for 2 hours at a medium pace.
You can book your session on the Essex cycle ready website:
As part of the Saffron Walden Clean Air Project we are hoping to launch some form of EV bike share scheme.
At present we do not know how these will take shape but are working with consultants and our survey information will help to inform us as to which model to use when delivering this project.
Please follow the links below to find out more about the different types of schemes that have been successful and what our schemes may look like.
As part of the Saffron Walden Clean Air project we are hoping to pilot a community EV cargo bike.
We are also hoping to deliver a zero emissions delivery service using e-cargo bikes. We are hoping these could link in with the existing very successful market days in Saffron Walden.
Please see the links below for examples of schemes involving e-cargo bikes that have worked elsewhere.
If you think you may be interested in trying a cargo bike please fill in our survey so we can find out more.
Schools engagement and behaviour change project
Schools engagement and behaviour change
As part of the Saffron Walden Clean Air project we have commissioned a schools behaviour change and engagement project. This will involve:
creating sustainable Active Travel travel plans
encouraging Active Travel to and from School
collecting Air Pollution data
events and education
school travel Surveys
There will be many opportunities for the children of Saffron Walden to get involved with this project and for parents to support them in walking, wheeling or scooting to school.
