Murphy leads the way to reduce number of car journeys

Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy today signed up to leaving the car at home and using sustainable transport where possible.

With a record number of cars on the road and growing levels of traffic congestion, the Minister became the first person in the north to endorse the 'Travelwise Pledge', in continuing steps to encourage commuters to swap their car for other modes of transport such as walking, car-sharing, bus, train or bicycle, for one journey each week.

The launch of the Travelwise Pledge marks the start of Travelwise Week 17-21 September where local authorities and the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are promoting sustainable transport as an alternative to the car.

Minister Murphy hopes many others commuters will follow his lead. Speaking at the launch in Newry, he said: "We are spending more time in our cars now than ever before which means that we are also spending more time stuck in congestion. Research carried out by Travelwise has shown that people who commute in and out of Belfast by car spend, on average, the equivalent of a full working day travelling to and from work each week. With schools now open, commuters will be finding the journeys they were making only a few days ago will now in many cases take twice as long.

"It is staggering how many cars on the road contain just one person. The Travelwise survey suggests that some 69% of commuters travel alone in the car. But our love affair with the car goes beyond the commute to and from work. We now use our cars more for unnecessary and shorter journeys, whether it's just down the road to see friends or go to the shops when we could walk instead.

"By supporting the Travelwise pledge, I am giving my commitment to encouraging a reduction in car journeys and I will be inviting my Executive colleagues and fellow MLAs to set an example and endorse the Pledge also.

"I appreciate public transport may not suit everybody but I would encourage people to also consider the car-sharing option. Car sharing saves time, money and benefits the environment and our health," said Mr Murphy.

The Travelwise NI survey also shows that of the sample of 500 respondents who drive to central Belfast everyday, only 52% of respondents said they required their car for work which means that 48% of car commuters simply drive to work, park their car and drive home again.

Commenting on the findings Brian Moreland, Head of Travelwise NI said:"While it is startling to think that many of us are spending the equivalent of an extra working day in the car trying to get to and from work each week we find it encouraging that 45% of those respondents who do not currently car share said they would like to and our Travelwise NI Car Share initiative www.travelwisenicar-share.com will help them to get started.

"As well as the environment, health and financial benefits of leaving the car at home, people using public transport can take some time for themselves and read a book or newspaper on the way to the office. With so many people becoming more environmentally aware I would urge them to take the Travelwise Pledge and reduce the number of car journeys they make each week."

The Travelwise NI campaign is encouraging commuters to consider the alternatives to being stuck in traffic by trying sustainable transport options such as car-sharing, public transport or depending on the distance walking and cycling are healthy and cheap alternatives. Such initiatives make a positive contribution to the Northern Ireland Sustainable Development Strategy, which sets challenges for all of us to make our society more sustainable in economic, social and environmental terms.

Travelwise NI is an initiative of the Roads Service, an agency within the Department for Regional Development that promotes sustainable transport options to employers, commuters and schools. For further information or to make the Travelwise Pledge please visit the Travelwise website .  or contact the Travelwise NI team on 0845 378 0908.

Notes to Editors:

1. Travelwise NI Week 17-21 September is being launched at McKeown's Solicitors, 12 John Mitchel Place, (a continuation of Hill Street) Newry , 8am on 17 September 2007.
2. The launch event will be at McKeown's and will be attended by DRD Minister Conor Murphy, Head of Travelwise NI Brian Moreland, the Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council and Councillors as well as officials from Newry City Centre Management, Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Translink.
3. McKeown's Solicitors were selected for the launch because the company's Founding Director, Diarmuid McKeown, is actively changing his personal lifestyle habits and business practice to embrace "greener living" and sustainable travel. He is waiting on the arrival of a hybrid car to reduce his fuel consumption and carbon emissions. He uses Video Conferencing between his two office bases to reduce air travel and has installed high speed internet connection so that he can work from home and avoid travelling by car to work. In all staff training sessions, he encourages employees to consider their environmental responsibility. He has also introduced an office recycling programme and aims to have a "paperless office" in the near future.
4. The Minister, Brian Moreland, Head of Travelwise NI and Dairmuid McKeown, McKeown's Solicitors are available for interview through Inform Communications.
5. Survey sample - 500 commuters who travel to and from work by car everyday were surveyed in Belfast City Centre September 2006. The survey of car commuters was carried out on behalf of Travelwise NI an initiative of the Department of Regional Development Roads Service to encourage a more sustainable approach to travel, in particular to encourage commuters to car share or take public transport and when distances are shorter to consider walking or cycling as healthy, economic alternatives to the car. Only people who commute into the City from beyond the Outer Ring where interviewed.
6. For further information please contact Ross Williamson or Ursula Kelleher, Inform Communications Tel: 028 9023 3550 Mob: 07734821070 (RW) & 07739420959 (UK).
7. Media queries to: Michaela Smyth or Anne Armstrong, Department for Regional Development, Press Office, Tel: 02890 540887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.