20 towns to leave cars at home

Twenty cities and towns in Ireland have confirmed that they will participate in European Car Free Day, which this year takes place on Wednesday, September 22, according to Tom Halpin, Sustainable Energy Ireland’s head of customer services.

Last year, more than 1500 cities across Europe and beyond participated in the event.

The cities and towns confirmed to take part this year are Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clonakilty, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick city, Navan, Portlaoise, Portmarnock, Portrane, Sligo, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Westport and Wicklow.

Seventeen towns and cities in Ireland took part in 2003.

As Car Free Day falls on a weekday again this year, one of the main focuses will be on promoting sustainable transport options for schoolchildren including car pooling, walking, cycling, public/private bus transport and the ‘Walking Schoolbus’, which was successfully piloted in 2003.

There will also be an emphasis on the commuter and the promotion of alternative worker mobility initiatives such as car-sharing, cycling, walking and public transport.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen said: “We continue to work to reduce road transport emissions and maintain good air quality through cleaner fuels, improved vehicle technologies and investment in major infrastrucural projects at national and EU levels.

“It is heartening, too, to see the year-on-year increase in public interest as evidenced by local authority participation in an important environmental awareness raising event such as European Car Free Day.

“Individually, we all have a role to play and must continue to maximise our lifestyle choices into environmentally-sustainable behaviour".