Steps you can take to reduce emissions and increase active travel
We are encouraging people to make choices that will help their own health and sense of well-being and also contribute to a reduction in emissions.
Choose active travel
Active travel methods, like walking or cycling, are the healthiest, most affordable, and sustainable ways to get around.
Most trips are relatively short. In 2022, one in four trips were under 1 mile, and almost three in four under 5 miles. Yet more than 60% of 1-2 mile journeys are made by car.
Choosing active travel methods offers many benefits, from improving physical and mental health, increasing fitness and increasingly people’s sense of connection with their local community.
It helps financially too, as it avoids fuel costs, parking charges and reduces a vehicle’s wear and tear.
Given the significant contribution to air pollution from vehicle emissions, every journey that avoids using a car, motorbike or van helps local air quality and contributes to making the air we have to breathe cleaner for everyone locally.
Walking, cycling, or using public transport for a short journey just twice a week could see a reduction of 52,000 car trips from within the District every week.
Read more about cycling locally, including cycling maps.
Cycle to Work scheme
Many workplaces are part of the national Cycle to Work scheme. This government approved employee benefit means employees can acquire a bicycle and accessories through their employer, with the cost deducted from their salary, pre-tax, over a fixed period. You pay nothing upfront and the payments are taken tax efficiently from your salary. So, if you are employed this can be a cost-efficient way of starting to cycle.
Further information is available from a range of organisations, including:
Use local public transport
Public transport is another great option if you can’t walk or cycle. If you use the bus rather than the car it can help reduce CO2 emissions by 42% and 73% if travelling by train.
Information about bus travel locally is available at TravelEssex or bustimes.org.
Information about train travel on the local Crouch Valley line is available at Greater Anglia.
Join a car sharing scheme
Car sharing helps reduce the number of vehicles on our local roads and lower emissions and congestion. By sharing your journey you can also split the cost. It is estimated that a commuter can typically save over £1000 a year.
The Essex Car Share scheme is free to join and it matches you with a driver or passenger to share your journey. It has over 4,000 members across Essex.
Use the Tesco Free Bus
If you are visiting Maldon by private vehicle then there is a free bus ride into the town centre or Promenade Park. This free circular bus service (route number 288) operates from Tesco’s car park (just off A414).
Here is the 288 route and timetable
Pedestrians can get on and off the bus at any bus stop on the route.
Please be aware that the Tesco car park is privately operated by Tesco, so drivers parking to use the 288 bus service should ensure that they comply with parking restrictions on site. This information is provided on signs in the car park.
Electric vehicles
Driving an electric car helps to improve air quality compared to petrol and diesel vehicles. This is because they do not emit emissions from the exhaust and even though producing the electricity to power the electric vehicles generates emissions, this is at levels far lower than the pollution emitted by conventional vehicles. Electric cars can also help with noise pollution, especially in built-up areas where speeds are generally low. Therefore switching to an electric vehicle helps make local air clearer, which is better for local residents, pedestrians and cyclists.
This electric vehicle charging information provides details about where you can charge your electric car across the District.