Go green to get around

from Lincoln Independent July 2023

Fall back in love with your garden

BY REBECCA POOLE

CHOOSING sustainable transport options will help Lincoln achieve its climate goals.

Various schemes are in place to make the transition easier, with more planned for the future as technological advancements continue to make cleaner fuel and zero emission vehicles a reality.

“To meet the 2030 net zero carbon target, we need to look more closely at what options and alternatives are available to help get everyone, our goods and services, around, into and out of Lincoln efficiently,” explained Kate Bell, Climate Change Manager from City of Lincoln Council.

To achieve net zero, the Lincoln Climate Commission has set targets for 37.5% of commuter journeys to be made by public transport, cycling and walking by 2025 and City Council is making changes to create more accessible options for those who live and work in the city.

THE 15 MININUTE CITITY CONCEPT: T THE CASE FOR THE CITITY OF LININCOLN

What is the 15 Minute City concept?

The 15-Minute City concept was first proposed by Carlos Moreno in 2016. He emphases the important of locality in urban areas where residents should be able to access basic services and essentials within 15 minutes by foot or bicycle. In order for residents to achieve ahigh quality of life urban social functions (living, working, commerce, healthcare, education, and entertainment) must be sustained. However, built environments may need to be reconstructed to achieve the functions.

Why

is it important?

Onward Travel by Train?

“We’ve got bike storage units at the train station and St Marks.You basically get a fob and you can go into the train station, park your bike there, use the toilets and changing rooms and then get on the train,” said Kate.

“I use it all the time, even if I’m not going by train. It’s really handy and is about £10 for a fob and is just safe, secure bike storage.” The bike storage can be found outside the train station, next to the bike shop and you can get the fob from inside the train station to give you peace of mind when leaving your bike.

Objectives to make Lincoln a 15-Minute City are also being met, which makes getting around easier for residents and is hoped to improve personal health and wellbeing, build a stronger sense of community, and provide a sustainable way of travel by lowering carbon emissions, improving air quality, and reducing car dependency.

“In most areas the criteria for a 15-minute city have been met but there is further work to do to improve the quality of provision in certain areas as this varies across the city, i.e. cycle and walking routes are very good in the Birchwood and Boultham areas, but much more challenging to the north of the city due to historic development which didn’t include cycle routes.”

The ’15-Minute City’ postulates locality is important in urban areas and that providing residents access to basic services and essentials by foot or bicycle can greatly improve their quality of life.

One of the current actions being taken to help achieve these goals is the addition of The Access Lincoln website, which features a free online travel planner, cycling and walking route guides, information about hire bike schemes, public transport and more.

Access Lincoln promotes sustainable transport to provide people with more travel choices whilst helping to save time and money and by maintaining low air pollution throughout the city.

City Council’s new Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points are also due to be available in Lincoln this summer, with the project being funded by OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) and Connected Kerb which hopes to bring more options to people who may not otherwise have the means for a charging point.

Lincoln Climate Commission’s Sustainability Toolkit features information on transport options in and around Lincoln, an EV charging map, and the opportunity to submit ideas on where cycleways and wider pavements are needed in the city.