Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smarter Travel Sutton?
Smarter Travel Sutton is a £5million, 3 year sustainable travel project, delivered in partnership between Transport for London and the London Borough of Sutton. The project aims to change the way people in the borough travel, shifting journeys away from the car to public transport, walking and cycling.
How is Smarter Travel Sutton funded?
The £5million Smarter Travel Sutton project is funded solely by TfL, from the Travel Demand Management budget as set out in the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. There has been no direct funding from Sutton council for the project, and no Sutton council tax money has been used for the project.
Here are examples of some of the schemes funded by the project
The project aims to change the way people in Sutton travel, shifting journeys away from the car to more sustainable modes such as Public Transport, Walking and Cycling. The project aims to achieve this by helping schools, businesses and individuals in Sutton find out more about the travel options available to them. Here is an example of some of the schemes funded by the project:
- Free personal travel advice for all Sutton residents - in other areas of London this has reduced car trips by 6%.
- Cycle parking racks lockers and showers - Sutton businesses that submit workplace travel plans can get up to £1000 funding.
- A School Travel Adviser and Cycle Projects Officer for Sutton schools.
- The Smarter Travel Sutton project also holds a number of exciting events in the borough of Sutton throughout the year- for the next upcoming event, please check the events calendar!
Why don’t you build more bus lanes or put on more buses/trains instead?
The Smarter Travel Sutton project aims to help people find out more about their travel options by providing travel information. The project is a pilot for the rest of London and the UK to see whether a concentrated number of measures in one place (Sutton) can achieve a significant shift away from car travel to more sustainable modes of transport, improving people’s health and the environment.
Recent research has shown that much of the existing travel infrastructure is under-used, and that people can make significant savings in car use through services that are already in place. Often people are not sufficiently aware of their travel options to make sustainable choices. Smarter Travel Sutton seeks to address this. For more information about Travel Options research visit www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/smarterchoices
Will you put in a Congestion Charge in Sutton?
There are no plans at present to implement a Congestion Charging scheme in the borough of Sutton.
Where can I find out more information about my journey options?
Information is available on this website, and in the ‘links’ section, as well as at www.tfl.gov.uk
What if I’m out when the Personal Travel Advisor calls?
If the Personal Travel Advisor tries a few times and doesn’t manage to catch you in, then they will leave a card for you to fill out if you wish. If you complete this and post it to the address given you won’t miss out on any of the useful information.
What are the benefits of cycling?
Physical activity is a key factor in maintaining good health, long term and cycling helps protect you against heart disease, strokes, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Cyclists are also healthier than the average motorist and can expect to live longer.
And while doing so you will enjoy improved balance and co-ordination, reduced stress levels and greater psychological well being.
Did you also know cyclists are exposed to and absorb lower levels of traffic fumes than other road users.
When can I cycle?
Well for a start you might try biking it to work or around town
A bike is usually the fastest, cheapest and most enjoyable way to get to work in or to get around Sutton – particularly for journeys of less than three miles and during ‘rush hour’.
There are no fuel and car parking costs.
As the 83 per cent increase in the number of cyclists on London’s roads shows, there has never been a better time to be on a bike.The London Cycle Network
Further a field, the London Cycle Network Plus (www.londoncyclenetwork.org.uk) is a planned 900km network of radial and orbital routes for cyclists covering the whole of London, which will be completed in 2009/2010.
Got any good tips for getting started?
Sure. If you are now ready and eager to get back into the saddle the first thing to do is check out Transport for London’s cycle pages on its website. Visit : www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling.
Plan where to go and how to get there
If you are new to cycling you should plan your route in advance, use less congested roads and take your time. Cycle maps are available at www.tfl.gov.uk/cycling (maps 17 and 18 cover Sutton) or by phoning 0845 305 1234. Travelling with an experienced cyclist will also help you to get the hang of riding in traffic.Get trained
Sutton Council’s road safety unit has been offering cycle training for a number of years now. The unit trains to the new National Standards for cycle training and cover all aspects of cycling.
The main area is in the training of year 5 and year 6 pupils to what used to be called the "Cycling Proficiency Test", now covered by National Standards Levels 1 and 2. But the unit can also provide Level 3 training for adults who are returning to cycling after a long lay off or are maybe a bit nervous about traffic conditions and need some confidence.
They also provide Corporate One Day Training sessions for any company that wants to promote a travel plan or just provide their employees with some cycle training.
Finally the unit encourages family training whereby the entire family can learn together and are also able to tailor the training to individual requirements so please call to discuss your needs.
Contact Stephen Wright on 020 8770 6231 or at stephen.wright@sutton.gov.uk or visit : www.sutton.gov.uk and search cycle training.
Think positive and stay alert
Being confident on two wheels means you will also be safer on the road. The key is to ride assertively and make sure other road users can see you. You should leave at least one metre between yourself and any parked cars, be aware that doors may be opened in your path. And always signal your intentions clearly.
Cycling at night
When cycling at night you must have a front white light, rear red light and rear red reflector. Wear bright reflective clothing also helps drivers see you.
Keep a healthy bike
It is important to keep your bike in good condition by testing your brakes regularly and checking for loose pedals, handlebars or gears that slip. Visit : http://www.lcc.org.uk and click on cycling information.
Any bike shops in the area?
Yes!
Action Bikes
Visit : www.wallingtoncycles.com Tel : 02082889909Stafford Road, Wallington, Surrey, SM6 9AQ
Halfords
Visit : www.halfords.com
Tel : 020 86438374
1 Crown Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1SEPearsons
Visit : www.pearsoncycles.co.ukTel : 02086422095
126 High Street, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1LU
You can also visit : http://www.touchlocal.com/nat/c-184-t-23269-Bike+Shops-Sutton for a longer list.
Are there any cycle clubs in Sutton?
Sutton Cycling Club was formed in 1999 by local cycling enthusiasts who were aware of the shortage of opportunities for young people to cycle in safety under the supervision of experienced riders and coaches.
Visit : http://www.suttoncycling.co.uk/index.htm.
So why should I walk more?
Walking is an excellent form of exercise that requires no special skills or training or expensive kit. All you need is a pair of good walking shoes. Walking an hour a day is also associated with cutting your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke.
It can also be good for your body because it is a low-intensity cardiovascular workout which :
· improves the health of heart and lungs
· ensures good balance and muscle tone
· enhances posture and alignment
· increases flexibility and lower body strength, and
· maintains healthy bones and joint mobility.All of this means walking can help you to live longer and enjoy the extra years more.
Walking burns calories – right?
Right!
Walking at a moderate pace for 30-60 minutes burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism.
Distance-wise, walking burns about the same number of calories as running. Running a mile may be faster, but you'll burn just as many calories by walking it. Walking about 2,000 more steps than usual (about a mile) is enough to keep most people from gaining weight.
As a rule of thumb, someone weighing 11 and a half stone will burn off about 100 calories for every mile walked.
And at a relatively fast pace we can walk at a rate of four miles an hour. Tha’s 400 calories or the equivalent of 2.2 Cadbury’s Crème eggs
Where can I walk in London?
Almost everywhere!
Walking is a fantastic way to get around and enjoy the capital – its healthy, free, and enables you to take in the sights of London en route.
And by visiting Transport for London’s website first (http://www.london.gov.uk/london-life/transport-and-travel/type/walking.jsp) you will be able to
· plan your walking route with their walkfinder which includes accessibility details
· subscribe online to Walking Matters - a newsletter for those who love walking in London, and
· Join in a wide range of walking events that are held in the capital.
And in Sutton?
Walks include :
The London Outer Orbital Path (LOOP) (http://www.walklondon.org.uk)
The London Loop almost completely encircles Greater London, covering a total distance of around 240km (150ml). It has been described as 'the M25 for walkers', although it rarely comes anywhere near the motorway.
In Sutton Section 6 of the Loop goes from Couldson South Station in Croydon to Banstead Downs and section 7 from Banstead Downs to Bourne Hall Park, Ewell.
The Wandle Trail (http://www.wandletrail.org)
The Wandle Trail runs the length of the River Wandle, through the boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth, and is a predominately off-road shared-use path, linking open spaces, recreational facilities, schools, industrial estates and communities.
You can also :
· visit Oaks Park, a formal gardens and woodlands near Sutton, was once home to the Earl of Derby.
· enjoy London's Chalk Downland (http://www.lbp.org.uk/07library/walk_the_chalk.pdf), and
· take weekend walks through Beddington, Carshalton and Cheam.Visit Sutton Council’s website (www.sutton.gov.uk) and search walking for full details of walking events, activities and initiatives in the borough.
Why should I use public transport?
OK, there will always be times when we need to use a car.
But there is also real value - to you and the environment - in increasing the percentage of trips you make on public transport. Reducing our overall car dependency to one exploiting public transport to the full can also improve our health, reduced stress and save us time and money.
What public transport services are available in Sutton?
Sutton is served by the Northern Line into nearby Morden and has excellent by rail links to Victoria, Waterloo, Croydon, Wimbleton.
There are numerous bus services.
Tramlink (http://www.thetrams.co.uk/croydon/wimbledon) also runs a tram service from Croydon via Mitcham Junction to Wimbledon.
And what’s the best way to plan my journey?
Until you get to know routes and services, by far the best way to plan your trip on public services is by using Transport for London’s journey planner : http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en.
You can also visit the National Rail website at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
So what are the benefits of using public transport?
Its greener
Leaving the car at home and getting public transport is one very simple and effective way to do your bit for the environment. Car journeys make a significant contribution to our overall carbon footprint.
And according to the Energy Saving Trust nearly half of us use a car to drive short journeys, journeys that could otherwise be completed in another, more sustainable way.
And healthier
The pollution caused by vehicle emissions can also have a seriously detrimental effect of the health of those who come into contact with it.
Its also cheaper
There are also obvious cost benefits in deciding to travel by public transport rather than the car. An Oyster one-day, peak time, travelcard (for example) costs £13.20 and is valid for travel on:
· the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and buses
· trams
· National Rail (excluding Heathrow Connect between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow, and on Heathrow Express), and
· scheduled riverboat services at 1/3 off the normal fare.Travelling 10 miles into London and back by car can cost far more if one considers the £8 congestion charge, cost of parking’, petrol and the wear and tear on you vehicle – or yourself.
And public transport can be even cheaper if you opt for season tickets and off peak travel. It can cut the cost of bus tickets by 50%!
And more convenient
Public transport, particularly in Greater London, is by far the most convenient way to get where you want to go. It means you can get right to your destination and don’t have to go back to the same places when returning home.
Its quicker
In the majority of cases, your journey from A to B will be as quick, if not quicker, and often direct by public transport.
There’s no parking problem
One of the most frustrating things about driving a car in London is the hunt for a parking space – and then it will be expensive. There are no parking problems with public transport.
And more community spirit
Research from the 1950s onwards has recorded the alienating effect high car use has on local communities.
When there is less traffic on the street, people actually build richer social networks and have more friends and acquaintances.
Public transport is also a contributing factor in the development of independent mobility for, and interpersonal skills, our children.
This development can be hampered by a car dependence that results in children being driven everywhere by their parents.
And in Sutton its getting even safer
Travelling by public transport in Sutton is now event safer with the introduction of the borough’s first ever-dedicated police team to improve safety on public transport. The Sutton Safer Transport Team will consist of two police sergeants, one police constable and 18 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
The team will be targeting crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour on and around public transport and will deal with local issues on the transport networks, working alongside colleagues from Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, Transport for London and British Transport Police.
And don’t forget that four out of every five busses now has CCTV.
It may sound a stupid question but what is car sharing?
Car sharing just that – when two or more people decide to drive somewhere together rather than drive separately.
Why should I car share?
Cost savings
Well to begin with, car sharing allows you to share travel costs of travel by 50% or more.
RAC Motoring Services estimate that the overall cost of driving a car – when everything is taken into account - is about 30p per mile for a 1,000cc vehicle rising to 94.3p per mile for a 2.5 litre vehicle
So every car share journey can mean a genuine saving.
Reducing stress
By sharing the driving you can reduce your stress levels by taking a break from the hassle of being behind the wheel. And there’s the pleasure of chatting to the other people in the car.
Cutting traffic congestion and vehicle emissions
Car sharing also helps to cut down on traffic congestion and vehicle emissions – particularly during rush hour.
Our cars fill our limited road space, pollute the atmosphere and contribute to global warming, but there are times when relying on public transport is not practical.
If everyone who drives to work on their own were to car share with someone - just once a week - the commuting car journeys would reduce by 20%* (*National Car Share);
And if I want to find out more?
The best thing to do is to visit the London Liftshare website at www.Londonliftshare.com where you will find a directory of all liftshare schemes in Greater London. You can also email London Liftshare at info@liftshare.com or call them on 08700 780225.
And what about car clubs – what are they?
Car clubs are a pay-as-you-go way of hiring a good quality car, locally.
They are a great alternative to the trouble and expense of car ownership. They offer the freedom to choose another way of getting around, but without costly car insurance, renewing tax discs, parking permits, MOTs and repairs.
Why would I benefit from joining a car club?
Car clubs are a real option if you are fed up with the hassle of running a car in London – particularly when parking is a problem.
It can be a real option if you use a car infrequently or for short journeys or if you might ever want to use a second car.
And, again a car club is perfect for those who believe we all have a role in cutting down on the harm caused by traffic congestion and vehicle emissions
So how do car clubs work?
Members of a car club book a vehicle, when they want one, via the Internet or by telephone. This is then picked up and dropped back to a local parking bay. A monthly bill is issued for the use made of the vehicle.
And how much does all this cost?
Car clubs usually charge an annual fee between £100 and £200 and have vehicle usage charges of about £4-5 for the first hour and £2-3 for subsequent hours.
Mileage charges are low for a typical urban journey, usually 15-20p a mile. Some clubs also make a booking charge.
OK, I’m convinced, but are there any car clubs in Sutton?
Car clubs are shooting up all over London with the active encouragement of Transport for London and there are two car clubs operating in Sutton.The London City Car Club
Visit : www.smartmoves.co.ukTel : 0845 330 1234
Sutton residents can obtain further information from Sutton Council by calling 020 8770 6243 or 020 8770 5287.