A NEW car sharing scheme is being piloted in Kendal.

Select businesses and groups are taking part with the aim of helping families and firms reduce fuel costs and improve air quality.

The project is part of the Go Easy campaign, backed by South Lakeland District Council.

It aims to encourage residents in Kendal to reduce car journeys and to enhance the town’s reputation as a green town, making it more attractive to tourists and businesses.

Details of the car-sharing scheme will be available in the New Year at www.goeasy.org.uk where advice can be found on how to meet up with other vehicle-users in a secure way.

The site provides a map which enables people to find out other people in their local areas who make similar journeys.

Graham Vincent, SLDC's portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “This is a great opportunity to help improve the quality of life for residents at the same time as helping them to save money on fuel. Two of our key priorities as a council are to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents and to enhance the environment. This scheme helps us with both these goals.”

The scheme is particularly aimed at families who drop off children for after-school activities or community groups like the Scouts or Guides.

It also targets businesses which want to help their staff reduce costs with their daily commutes.

The Go Easy campaign is funded by the Government, Cumbria County Council, South Lakeland District Council, and Kendal Town Council.

The objective is to tackle the pollution risks presented by traffic and vehicle emissions.

Long term exposure to air pollution is estimated to cause 29,000 premature deaths each year – twice the number caused by passive smoking before the public smoking ban was introduced and over three times the number of premature deaths associated with obesity.

Other Easy Go projects include promoting greater use of cycling routes, cycle skills classes and encouraging bus transport.

Earlier this year teams from workplaces, community groups, and schools took part in the Go Easy Walking Challenge where they competed with each other over a four-week period to see who could cover the most miles on foot on journeys which were usually done by car.