Helping You Plan in 2011

Rail passengers travelling on the Yeovil to Waterloo line will enjoy improved journeys and benefit from extra seats during the morning and evening peaks, thanks to Government funding for additional rail carriages announced on 8th May by Justine Greening, Transport Secretary.

Following the roaring success of last year's first ever bicycle-powered cinema in Taunton, Cycling Somerset are spreading their wings and going for broke this June with not one, but two cycling cinemas in Somerset.

Walk to Work Week 2012 will take place from 14-18 May as part of the Great British Walking Challenge.

Somerset County Council's travel planning guidance is now in full operation.

Two days of drainage works start on Thursday 19th April in East Nynehead Road, Nynehead.

Somerset County Council is putting the spotlight on the implementation of business travel plans in 2012.

The Department for Transport has issued updated guidance about the use of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs on the road.

A £1.2 million THINK! campaign urging drivers to see the person behind the motorcycle helmet was launched on 2nd
March.

Motorists purchasing a qualifying ultra-low emission van can receive a grant of 20 per cent towards the costs of the vehicle, up to a maximum of £8,000.

First is making a number of changes to bus services in Somerset from Sunday 19 February 2012. 

Google have added a public transport planner to their online maps and mobile applications.

Learner drivers to be allowed to take lessons on motorways

Free WiFi is due to be rolled out on Cross Country train services running between Plymouth and Manchester in 2012.

Public consultation on the draft Countywide Parking Strategy has begun and will run from 31st October 2011 to 20th January 2012.

To improve the punctuality and reliability of local bus services First Bus are making a number of changes to bus
timetables in Bridgwater, Taunton and Wells from 30 October.

A new £7.5m link road and bridges to ease Taunton town centre congestion and help economic growth was opened by Transport Minister Norman Baker on Tuesday.

Major work will start in the week beginning 26th September on the A361 in Glastonbury for approximately three weeks.

The opening of the UK's first public refuelling station for hydrogen vehicles in Swindon is part of efforts to create a "hydrogen highway" along the M4 motorway.

Major work began on 12 September to Junction 25 of the M5 and the A358 from M5 to Ilminster.

Bathpool Bridge in Taunton has been closed until 7 October for essential resurfacing work.

A report by the London School of Economics has found that cycling generates nearly £3bn a year for the UK economy.

If you are visiting the Brecon Beacons this summer, you could take part in a trail of two exciting new electric buggies.

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show that 75% of UK workers have less than a half-hour commute to get to work.

Belgian renewable energy company Enfinity has constructed a solar-panel topped tunnel on the Paris-Amsterdam rail line.

A lorry fell through a 14m x 5m hole in a road bridge in China yesterday.

Transport ministers have announced plans to introduce laser scanning of road traffic accident sites to cut motorway closure times during investigations.

Staff at Wrexham station were somewhat bemused this week when a man attempted to by train tickets for himself and his pony.

Department for Transport's 'Alternatives to Travel: a Call for Evidence' Now Available Online

Businesses and residents in Somerset can help win vital funding for improved broadband across the county by filling in a simple survey.

A boost has been given to Frome as it was announced that Dairy Crest is looking to double its workforce, hopefully leading to many new sustainable travellers.

The Royal We will be making use of mass transport options for the Royal Wedding in April.

New bike hire, tea rooms and B&B opens near Wells.

Now's the time to start thinking about your workplace campaigns for 2011. Use our list to get started.

George Osborne announced the 2011 budget yesterday. Here are some of the implications for transport:

The BBC outlines and reports on changes in driving habits.

Charity offers awards to companies for sustainable travel

Somerset stations between Taunton and westbury see a big increase in their use.

Sustainable travellers to the festival to get special benefits.

ways2work is a new website set up to encourage employers to think seriously about travel and its impact on business

New materials have been produced by Moving Forward's travel plan team

A new car cluib has launched in Taunton this month.

With another cold spell forecast in the coming weeks, here is some advice for travellers in the winter period.

First's new December timetables include a London-Taunton service getting commuters into Somerset's county town for 9.02am

A new Heritage and the Hills car free visitor itinerary has been launched by Visit Somerset.

Winners of Moving Forward's 2010 Smarter Travel Managements Awards are an exemplar to those intending to take forward sustainable transport initiatives

Formula One is being used to promote a move to market cars with smaller more efficient engines from 2013.

Somerset County Council is paying visits to businesses to ensure their travel plans are up-to-date.

- reports ConsumerIntelligence.

Planning on travelling by train? You might want to think again.

Can you turn home working caused by the exceptional weather into a formal flexible working strategy?

Cyclists and walkers are being informed that footways and cycleways will not be treated in anticipation of ice but would be cleared at the earliest opportunity if a known dangerous situation exists.

For commuters and shoppers heading back to Taunton Park and Rides, buses will run until just after 9.30pm on Thursdays til Christmas.

The Somerset Future Transport Plan (2011-2026) consultation is open until 5pm on Friday 7th January 2011.

Rail passengers faced mixed news of service upgrades and fare rises in today's rail plan announcement by the Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond.

Businesses in Somerset can prosper from taking care of their travel impacts as well as their profits.

This week is National Sausage Week - what better excuse to take a stroll down your local farmers' market and see what's going on?

Now you can report that pothole quickly and easily as soon as you see it by using a new iPhone application.

"Quality Streets is a campaign to say we want our streets back, and the first step is to slow traffic."

Walk4Life now contains over 4,000 walks across the UK - search for one near you now.

On your way to Glasto in 2011? Check out National Express's coach departure points

Leather seats are among the changes passengers will notice when Taunton's new Park & Ride service begins on 1st November.

Somerset County Council has recently begun implementing a new travel plan for the Wyndham Park housing estate.

Co-cars are now interested in expanding its services to the Blackdowns Hills

Play On!

The south-west could be connected to St Malo in France by a wind-powered ferry.

The coalition government has decided not to provide free-for-all NHS parking

The proposed nuclear energy plant at Hinkley point is currently having its plans reviewed.

Exmoor National Park has produced a new online map as part of its Explore Exmoor, Car Free Carefree campaign

The key decision was made by Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member Environment on Thursday 2nd September 2010.

A new series of cycling routes in the Blackdown Hills was launched on 5 September.

Taunton now has a fantastic new outdoor space that also makes walking and cycling across town much easier.

Freight Transport Association demands cheaper access to Wales for HGVs

New research claims motorists no longer consider cyclists "weirdy beardy Guardian readers"

This national award is given to the organisation that can demonstrate the biggest strides towards making their offices more accessible to commuters

Wellington now has a new bus service linking it directly with its nearest mainline railway station.

First have introduced a number of changes to their bus services from 5th September.

Amid widespread coverage in the national and local media, SSDC has released a press statement.

The scheme is being launched at Tesco's Extra store in Baldock, Hertfordshire, as a pilot.

A recent report by the FSB has ignored the impact travel planning can make in reducing businesses' CO₂ emissions.

A new bus service was launched on Monday, meaning that both of the Yeovil's railway stations are now linked by a single bus route.

Over half of UK car drivers find driving on Britain’s roads stressful, according to report

London Cycle Hire Scheme launches today!

Transport secretary Philip Hammond has confirmed that motorists will still receive up to £5,000 towards the purchase of an ultra-low-carbon car from January 2011.

Workmen painting white lines on a road left a gap for a dead badger because they said it was not their responsibility to move it.

Logistics firm DHL has chosen the UK to trial an 18-tonne hybrid distribution truck.

A new season of programmes on camping and getting out by bike has started on the BBC.

Cookswood Quarry was given delegated approval at Mendip's planning board on 21st July.

Do you have an item of news or an event that you'd like to share with others? Here's how.

Love your local park? Take part in the "Postcards from the Park" photo competition to be in with a chance of winning some wonderful prizes.

We are seeking a contractor to help us to provide a range of services to support and increase cycling...

Residents and visitors in Taunton now have a new way to travel

Travel by foot, bike or public transport for the chance to win prizes!

Over 50,000 journeys have been made on the Taunton Gateway Park & Ride service since it opened in November 2009...

Drivers are reducing their speed because of the rising cost of fuel...

Save on attractions, restaurants and hotels...

Motorists needlessly increase fuel bills and safety risks by not keeping tyres properly inflated.

Steve Wheen takes an unusual stand against the state of his local roads

World-class cycling comes back to Somerset for two days this September

Commuters are about to feel the pinch of the recent hike in fuel prices

Rachel Benyon from South Petherton is taking on the cycle ride of a lifetime!

Somerset County Council (SCC) is asking businesses and hauliers how they could be assisted by the work the Council does in managing freight routes in the county.

Seven celebrities are cycling the length of the UK next week in a charity ride that will come through Somerset

Sunday 6 June 2010  - Get cycling, have fun, raise money!

People who can choose their own working hours enjoy better physical and mental health.

Somerset cyclists get the chance to ride Tour of Britain route to raise money

Nine-thousand people signed petition to Government demanding safer roads

Cllr Ken Maddock converts his car to LPG

Somerset County Council is seeking early engagement on a new document to help deliver smarter travel measures and reduced car traffic.

A normal service has been resumed. 

WebberBus is offering to reward regular passengers with free bus travel.

Recent weather conditions have showed the importance of ensuring businesses take stock of the impact of commuting on their business operations.

Cyclists are joining together to demonstrate their commitment to healthy travel.

Vivary Park has been recognised for its easy access

Two recent surveys revealed an ever-increasing enthusiasm for car-sharing among people in Britain.

Almost 60% admitted to swearing and making rude gestures on the roads

Somerset County Council is asking how to make the centre of Taunton a better place for shoppers.

A new quick and easy calculator for business commuting emissions has been launched by Moving Forward

Train fares are set to rise by the lowest rate since rail privatisation in the mid-1990s.

A new Government campaign illustrates that even small changes in our travel habits can add up to a big difference.

A railway cycle path project in South Somerset has won a high profile award.

Commuters and shoppers are about to get a cheaper, more environmentally friendly way of travelling into Taunton...

A Government scheme's been introduced to challenge businesses to become cycle friendly employers...

Calling all drivers in the Cheddar, Axbridge and Mendip areas!

The man who invented the folding Brompton bicycle has been honoured by the Duke of Edinburgh...

Somerset County Council is giving organisations across the county the chance to show off their commitment to sustainable travel, through the “Smarter Travel Management Awards 2009”...

Great discounted offers on Family & Friends, 16-25, and Senior Railcards for a limited time only...

Inward investment body Into Somerset has commissioned an eye-catching railway advertising campaign aimed at encouraging fed-up entrepreneurs to give up the rat race and relocate to Somerset.

A date has been set to decide the fate of a major planning application for a mixed-use development in Bridgwater, Somerset.

To assist developers prepare high quality travel plans, we have updated our travel plans contents checklist

The Moving Forward team will be out and about for the Tour of Britain this week

New research has found when cyclists ride in dedicated cycle lanes motorists give them less room...

A new programme of twice-weekly health walks for the Autumn begins in Taunton this week.

Fuel prices have gone up across the country with a rise of 2 pence per litre in duty.

South West Trains is to extend the UK rail network’s first green cycle hire initiative following a successful pilot scheme.

Ken Roberts from Fitzhead is about to embark on a 45,000 mile trip on two wheels.

Visit Somerset is helping you to reduce the impact of your leisure trips on the environment and your pocket.

£500,000 is being invested in the bus network for Bridgwater in an effort to revolutionise bus travel in the area.

The Moving Forward two-week workplace cycle challenge saved 33,470 car miles and 4,600 kg CO2 emissions in Bridgwater and Taunton.

South West Trains encourage people to leave the car behind for weekend leisure trips.

Major work to Taunton’s Obridge Viaduct will start next month, as part of Somerset County Council plans to improve pedestrian access along the route.

If you’re a cyclist, or thinking about taking up cycling, you’re part of a growing movement, because riding a bike has become so popular that shops are running out.

Louise Webster takes up new role to oversee move to greater sustainability in the NHS

Somerset Leisure has just announced a summer programme of cycling activity days for children.

For this year’s Glastonbury festival, concert-goers are once again being provided with information about the range of alternative travel options.

A new summer programme of twice-weekly health walks has begun in Taunton.

Workers in Taunton and Bridgwater are being encouraged to sign up to a challenge that could see them win prizes for getting on their bikes.

Somerset County Council is inviting people to sign up to save money and reduce their CO2 emissions for National Liftshare Day.

CABE’s study gives examples of where good design can help manage car parking as well as provide for communities and social space.

The website is aimed at travel plan coordinators and developers, to assist them in travel planning.

A new set of Travel Plan Fees has been introduced by Somerset County Council in relation to planning applications.

Passengers who use bus services in Sedgemoor and Mendip will be able to get on and off the bus more easily, thanks to Somerset County Council.

Moving Forward is encouraging businesses to complete a survey on National Work From Home Day.

Three organisations have come forward highlighting the huge demand for smarter travel choices.

Fancy trying out cheaper rail travel? Sign up for a free trial of the Family & Friends Railcard...

Roads to be named after a fictional world at a smarter travel housing site in Wincanton, Somerset.

Two events are being offered to business in Somerset to reduce their carbon emissions and save money through better use of virtual travel.

Lord Adonis experiences what it's really like on Britain's trains...

Finding up-to-date information on public transport has just become easier with the relaunch of the the Traveline South West website.

First will be making changes to some bus services in Somerset from May 2009...

West Somerset and South Somerset District Councils have both been working at getting the most out of their travel this spring.

Women are still less willing than men to get on two wheels according to research by Sustrans.

People in Minehead will now be able to travel by car without the expense of running their own.

Business Link's drive to reduce waste and save energy - to help businesses save money

There’s still chance for you to submit your entry to the Bicycle Film Festival 2009...

British rail travellers get worst deal on tickets in Europe, a report has found.

UK Rail Network’s first green cycle hire initiative launched.

Get fit and save money by changing the way you travel to work.

'Change 4 Life' is a new campaign to encourage people to kickstart a healthy lifestyle.