Smarter Travel Sutton Out of the Starting Blocks

6.58.08pm GMT Tue 10th Oct 2006

Many of Sutton's movers and shakers turned out for the Smarter Travel Sutton conference in the Holiday Inn in Sutton on Thursday 5th October 2006.

Around seventy delegates heard a variety of speakers, including Ben Plowden the MD of TfL Communications, set out the challenge Sutton faces in trying to reduce car dependency but also the huge health, social and business benefits that could be achieved from greater public transport use, car-sharing, walking and cycling.

Those present included Cllr Sean Brennan, Leader of Sutton Council and Deputy Leader Cllr Colin Hall, Paul Martin, Chief Executive of Sutton Council and Geoff Pope Greater London Assembly Member and Chair of the GLA's Transport Committee.

CityCarClub were on hand in the Holiday Inn car-park to demonstrate how easy the CityCarClub cars are to use.

Tom Brake MP for Carshalton and Wallington who chaired the day's conference said afterwards, "This conference was a great start to what could be a world-first in creating not only a more sustainable transport system in Sutton but also a much healthier life-style."

Deputy Leader Cllr Colin Hall commented, "This is the kickstart Smarter Travel Sutton needed. Most of the Borough's key players now know what we are trying to do and how we are going about it."

GLA Member Geoff Pope added, "I applaud Sutton for launching this creative and ground-breaking project. I look forward to seeing the results that will be achieved by residents."

It is expected that a further conference will be organised in around a year's time to report back on the progress that has been made to date.

Interviews are already underway in Worcester Park to identify what extra help and information people need to switch to alternative modes of transport or reduce their need to travel by tele-working or cutting back on unnecessary journeys.