28 August 2008: Fume Free Friday - help make a difference!

Media: 1040

Residents of Lewes District and local businesses will see an exciting initiative by Lewes District Council on Friday 19th September when we encourage alternative ways of travelling to and around Lewes Town on 'Fume Free Friday'.

This campaign promotes the importance of improving local air quality and takes place from 12th to 19th September with fun events on Friday 19th from 2 to 6pm at Cliffe precinct celebrating Lewes as a place to live, work, shop and socialise.

Councillor Eddie Collict, Lead Member for the Environment said "I am very pleased to give my enthusiastic support to 'Fume Free Friday'. Lewes District Council is committed to improving local air quality and has been monitoring and reviewing it for many years. 'Fume Free Friday' is just one of many ways we aim to tackle the problems of road traffic emissions that cause localised air pollution.

We would like to encourage local people to get involved on 'Fume Free Friday' and car share, cycle, walk or use public transport to make a difference to air quality in Lewes on Friday 19th September."

Why not get involved:

• Make your travel pledge
• Pick up your copy of the new Lewes Cycle map from Lewes Tourist Information Centre from Friday 12th September, and try out new routes around Lewes on your bike.
• Join in with the walking quiz of Lewes (prize donated by the Outdoor Shop).
• Visit the lost Parish of St Mary in the Market exhibition at the Subud Centre, 26 Station Street on Saturday 13th September, share your memories and discover the history of this area of Lewes over a cup of tea.
• Join our cycle ride from Lewes railway station at 10am on Sunday 14th September.

And on 'Fume Free Friday' 19th September at Cliffe precinct, Lewes from 2 to 6pm:

• Find out how you can link up with others and share your car journey into work through car share initiatives at http://www.travelchoice.org/
• Is your bike serviced and safe? Make use of Dr Bike and Sussex Police who are on hand to service bikes and give advice on keeping your bike safe.
• Join in with Firecracker children's circus - circus workshops for 7-14 yrs from 4 to 6pm.
• Sample the treats on offer from the Sussex Downs College organic café.
• Find out what you can do to improve air quality from Lewes District Council.
• Test your cycling speed and endurance with the Wave Leisure cycle challenge.
• Join in with our organised cycle ride across the Downs from Seaford to Lewes, leaving Seaford railway station at 7.30am on Friday 19th September.
• Plus many more stalls offering expert advice and information on walking, climate change and air pollution.

For more information on the above cycle rides and on Fume Free Friday and how to get involved, please contact John Nicklin at Lewes District Council on 01273 484365 or email john.nicklin@lewes.gov.uk

For all you need to know about travel choices in East Sussex including how to organise your car share please see the Travel Choice website http://www.travelchoice.org/

Media enquiries: Liz Lacon, Communications Manager liz.lacon@lewes.gov.uk

Notes for editors:

Why fume free Friday?

Emissions from road traffic contribute significant quantities of air pollution and impacts on the quality of life for the residents, businesses and visitors to Lewes. Everybody can make a significant contribution to reducing the amount of air pollution they create and reduce emissions from road traffic.

By acting on a local level we can also have an impact on global pollution issues such as climate change. The transport sector currently accounts for around 24% of UK domestic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).  A variety of measures are required to target emission reductions but by changing your travel choices can make a real impact.