A COUNCIL project aimed at getting Kendal motorists to switch to bikes for short journeys around town has won Government funding.

South Lakeland District Council has been granted £29,000 to fund a range of measures to promote cycling and improve air quality in Kendal.

A recent transport study carried out by Cumbria County Council found that around 75 per cent of car journeys in and around Kendal started in the town.

The cycling project, being run in partnership with the county council, will target these short journeys, help-ing make it easier for people to switch to their bike.

Phil Greenup, SLDC’s Public Protection Manager, said: “We are delighted that officers have been successful in winning government funding to help improve air quality in the Kendal area.

“We now have £29,000 to encourage cycling around Kendal and we’re aiming to increase the number of bicycle journeys in Kendal by 10 per cent.

“This will give a reduction in locally generated car journeys and ease congestion in Kendal, reducing nitrogen dioxide emissions in the town centre.”

The grant will help us to address people’s concerns and fears about cycling in Kendal, which up until now has been a real barrier in changing travel habits.

“The grant money will be used to run events to promote cycling and cycle safety, boost confidence and also improve cycle parking facilities.”

The project is part of the ‘Go Easy’ campaign, which believes that everybody can make a positive difference to Kendal’s environment by making small but simple changes to their travel routines to reduce nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels and reduce the impact of traffic on Kendal’s fresh air.

The ‘Go Easy’ campaign has been recognised nationally in Defra’s Good Practice guidance.

SLDC Environmental Protection Officer Rachel Shaw spoke about SLDC’s ‘Go Easy’ campaign at the Investigation of Air Pollution Standing Conference in Birmingham (IAPSC).

On giving her presentation to the delegates, she said: “I told other authorities about our experiences of running a behavioural change campaign, in particular the lessons we have learnt.

“I spoke of our experiences of using the Defra funding to try to encourage drivers in Kendal to switch one journey in ten away from their car.

“The feedback was certainly very positive.”