Following the successful No Car Day organised by Addingham Primary School earlier this year, Addingham Parish Council are backing plans to extend the scheme to the rest of the village,on 22nd September - National Car-Free Day.

The Primary School’s “walking bus” scheme will play an important part in the plans. Recognising this, the Parish Council have approved funding from the Parish Plan grant to provide high-visibility vests for the children taking part. Funding has also been provided towards a poster campaign to promote general awareness of Car Free Day.

It is acknowledged that for some people there is no realistic alternative to the car. The aim of Addingham’s Car Free Day is to encourage car drivers to ask themselves whether their car journey is really necessary, and not to try and impose a ban on car use nor demonise car users. For example you might ask yourself:

• Could I walk rather than use the car to travel a short distance to the shops?
  Wouldn’t my children benefit from the exercise of walking to school?
  Why not cycle to Ilkley instead of driving?
  Might it be cheaper or sometimes quicker to take the bus & train to Leeds or Bradford ?
  Is there somebody in the village with whom I could share a car on our way to work?
  

It is hoped that, having considered other ways of making journeys normally made by car, many drivers will find the alternatives acceptable and continue to use them. This in turn should help ease congestion and improve road safety, as well as helping our shops and businesses by reducing pressure on the limited parking facilities in the village.

CAN YOU MANAGE WITHOUT YOUR CAR ON SEPTEMBER 22ND? –PLEASE TRY!