Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change
I am pleased to publish new guidance on how we can widen transport choices in rural areas as part of hitting our overall targets in the Wales Transport Strategy
To meet our legal carbon emissions targets the Welsh Government is committed to see public transport, walking and cycling trips account for 45% of journeys by 2040 (up from 32% in 2021). Achieving this in rural areas will require a different approach to that taken in most urban areas.
Our new guidance on ‘Sustainable transport in rural areas’ provides real world case studies, both internationally and from within Wales, on successful approaches that local authorities can use to inform the Regional Transport Plans that are in development.
I today will be holding a seminar with a range of stakeholders to discuss this guidance, and the challenges and opportunities we all face in improving rural transport in Wales.
To take forward one of the case study examples from this guidance I can today announce a £1m grant to create a network of car clubs in rural communities across Wales.
Car clubs are an easy and affordable way for people to share use of a car without the cost of owning one.
A consortium of third sector organisations to make community electric car clubs much more widely available and viable for rural communities in Wales.
The car club grant will be led by Robert Owen Community Banking working with TrydaNi and TripTo, who between them already operate car clubs in Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Penrhyn-coch, Crymych, Ammanford, Kilgetty, Llandovery and Llandrindod Wells.