A pioneering £50m project to get people in the West Midlands to switch to greener travel habits has triumphed at the National Transport Awards.
Centro, the West Midlands’ public transport co-ordinator, won the ‘Contribution to Sustainable Transport’ award for its Smart Network, Smarter Choices (SNSC) programme. This has introduced a range of initiatives to encourage people to cut down on car use in favour of green options like public transport, cycling and walking.
The programme was placed ahead of both public and private sector competition in a record-breaking year for entries.
Cllr Judith Rowley, Chairman of the Smart Network Smarter Choices Board, said: “I am delighted to see national recognition for this programme, which has far-reaching benefits for our region – for individuals, business and the environment.
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved, at Centro and all our local authority and private sector partners. We look forward to continuing to build on this excellent work.”
Centro’s Head of Sustainability Conrad Jones said: “We are very proud of what this smarter travel programme means for people all across the West Midlands.
“Centro and our partners are working hard to ensure the region is a healthier, happier place to live – supporting the economy while reducing carbon.”
The multi-million pound programme to help support economic growth in the region while cutting traffic congestion and carbon, was officially launched in 2012 after Centro successfully secured the biggest single grant from the government’s Local Sustainable Travel Fund (LSTF).
Over the three-year project, Centro’s Sustainable Travel Team has worked in partnership with the seven West Midlands metropolitan.
