Green Travel Totnes

It is not exactly travel related but important to share!

There has been a big influx of Asian hornets into the UK this year. In previous years they have been found in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, and this year there have been three nests in Plymouth already. They gobble up vast numbers of our local insects, especially honey bees.

The National Bee Unit relies on being informed by the public about any local sightings of these insects, to know where to start hunting for nests. There could easily be nests here but we may not have spotted the workers out and about yet.

Please have a look at the poster - it shows the difference between the black invasive one and the brown-yellow native one, and how to report them if seen.

When reports are sent without photos, volunteer local beekeepers are being asked to go out to get photos on bait in the general area to confirm ID - if you can tell the difference it saves them time attending false alarms.

The situation is urgent now as nests need to be found before they produce new queens that will set up more nests next year.

Totnes Town Council

Funding Opportunities - Totnes Town Council We’ll be updating this page regularly with opportunities that we are aware of for local organisations seeking funding for projects connected to community, wellbeing, sports, heritage, local business, sustainability and environment. You can find additional funding information here: South Hams grant...

Are you curious about what e-bikes are like to use and whether you might want to get one? You can test one out at the Mansion on Saturday 26th August between 11am-3pm!

Could you or anyone you know benefit from a free cycle confidence session? Active Devon are putting some on 16th, 24th and 31st August at the Pavilions in Totnes.

Join the Sustainable Adventures Bus Trip to Elbury Cove on the 12th August!

Totnes Town Council is asking residents and business owners to join in the conversation to say what’s important and help inform how public money is spent in the town.

The Community Conversation survey will be used alongside other insights, such as the Community Charter and the Neighbourhood Plan. It will help identify the priorities for the town ahead of developing the Town Council’s Strategic Plan for 2024-30 and setting the budget for the next year.

To find out more and complete the survey: https://www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/.../community.../

Totnes Town Council is asking residents and business owners to join in the conversation to say what’s important and help inform how public money is spent in the town.

The Community Conversation survey will be used alongside other insights, such as the Community Charter and the Neighbourhood Plan. It will help identify the priorities for the town ahead of developing the Town Council’s Strategic Plan for 2024-30 and setting the budget for the next year.

To find out more and complete the survey: https://www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/your-council/community-conversation/

Some interesting events coming up in July.

You can sign up to get meeting notifications for the Climate & Ecological Emergency Forum here: eepurl.com/gxkM7j

South Hams District Council are carrying out an important survey as part of a project to support more people to walk, wheel and cycle.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DevonTravel

What makes it easy or difficult to walk, wheel (mobility scooters or wheelchairs) or cycle around in Totnes? What stops you from running errands, seeing friends and getting around in easy and convenient ways?

You can share your views on getting around in the survey being carried out by South Hams District Council: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DevonTravel

New public consultation into cycle-rail travel. Currently it is often difficult to bring your bike on trains if it's not a folding bike. Share your views to help make it easier.

https://systraltd.welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/Cycle-RailT3

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2022/december/views-sought-on-cycle-rail-travel-to-inform-new-guidance/?fbclid=IwAR1MOYSQ8BXxdGICTi61cYp8o5DJwQlcS5GuZbEhkZui7RAYCVjd7VZKvZk

Views sought on cycle-rail travel to inform new guidance Sustrans is working with stakeholders in the rail and sustainable transport industries on a public consultation to have their say on cycle-rail travel

🚌Park and Ride for Totnes Christmas Market 6, 13 and 20 December🎄
Bob the Bus will provide a Park and Ride service from Follaton House Car Park, Plymouth Road, TQ9 5RS.

The service operates from 5pm to 10pm, dropping and collecting shoppers at the Rotherfold at the top of town. From 6.30pm buses will also stop to drop or collect shoppers at the Royal Seven Stars at the bottom end of town (to save you a walk back up the hill!)

The service runs approximately every 10 minutes and ends at 10pm. This is a free service but donations are welcomed.

If you're feeling a little wobbly on your bike, there are free adult cycle confidence sessions available through Active Devon

Get Cycling - Active Devon Devon is a fantastic county for cycling. For beginners, families, those wanting to get fit, and for commuters, our county has something for everyone, and we’re working hard to make it even better.

Have your say on Devon's electric vehicle charging strategy. The consultation runs until 16 December 2022. You can find more information here:

Devon Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy - Have Your Say A public consultation is being held on the draft Devon Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy. This consultation aims to find out your views on the draft strategy and its recommendations. Please read the information provided below and have your say by completing our online questionnaire. To participate....

The October newsletter has just gone out. You can read it here:

October Newsletter We have a few interesting things to share with you from the last few months. In this newsletter you’ll find updates on the following:

BEIS Call for evidence of Net Zero review
There is currently a call for evidence open to the public which closes on 27th October. You can find more info via the link below - do take part as your views are important.

Call for evidence on Net Zero review - Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - Citizen Space Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

New e-cargo bikes in Exmouth - something for Totnes perhaps?

ExeCargo 2022: What could YOU do with an electric Cargo bike ? ExeCargo have two electric Cargo bikes , a Raleigh Stride and a Tern. They are available to individuals, community groups and businesses in Exmouth , and wer...

South West Water are in the process of creating their Drainage and Waste Management Plan which will run until 2050. The consultation deadline has been extended until 7th October following intervention from the Environment Agency in response to outrage from the Avon Valley Estuary Forum about inadequate consultation. It is extremely important that this is a strong Plan but currently it looks inadequate.

There was an online feedback form which is no longer available, so please complete the consultation by emailing your feedback to: [email protected]

Summary page for the DWMP: https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/about-us/what-we-do/dwmp/
Level 2 plan for the Dart:https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/siteassets/document-repository/business-plan-2020-2025/sww-draft-dwmp-l2-dart-v1.0.pdf

The final Devon Carbon Plan is out!

The Devon Carbon Plan is now live on the Devon Climate Emergency website! 🎉

The Plan brings together contributions from a public call for evidence, thematic hearings, a youth parliament event, a citizens assembly and two public consultations, as well as 29 partner organisations and an independent Net-Zero Task Force. Its publication follows a summer which was the joint hottest on record, where the impact of human-induced climate change has never been more apparent. The Plan’s launch marks the beginning of a new phase of action - it is crucial that everyone in Devon now works to implement the Plan.

You can view all three versions of the Devon Carbon Plan, adapted to your goals and aims, here:

http://soc.devon.cc/DevonCarbonPlan_lROd8

Got a question? Head over to our Instagram story to take part in our Q&A from 12pm! You can also tweet using - we will be answering questions on Tuesday 4th October. Finally, you can attend our webinar for a more in-depth look at the Plan, Wednesday 28th September from 6-7.30pm. Find out more information here:

http://soc.devon.cc/Webinar_crzzR

Stay tuned to see what's next for Devon Climate Emergency and the road to 💚

Dartmoor National Park Devon County Council East Devon District Council Exeter City Council Exmoor National Park Mid Devon District Council North Devon Council Plymouth City Council South Hams District Council Teignbridge District Council Torbay Council Torridge District Council Devon Wildlife Trust Environment Agency Devon Local Nature Partnership University of Exeter University of Plymouth NFU Online

Littlehempston Parish Council is fundraising for a footbridge to enable walkers to safely avoid crossing the busy Totnes-Newton Abbot road by the Pig and Whistle.
Do support them if you can.

For more information:
https://www.littlehempston.com/2022/09/26/littlehempston-parish-council-is-fundraising-for-a-footbridge-to-cross-gatcombe-brook/

The fundraising link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/gatcombe-brook-bridge-for-new-permissive-path

Cycling is a great eco--friendly way to travel, and a lot of work is happening already to make sure cycling is a more accessible way to travel. Here are some of the actions being taken to support cycling recently:

Work On Cycle Path Extension In Plymstock Begins:
http://soc.devon.cc/CyclePathExtension_XqwA8

Trials In Plymouth To Prescribe Active Travel For Mental And Physical Health:
http://soc.devon.cc/ActiveTravelHealth_A9Q3c

Devon, Torbay And Teignbridge Councils Submit Funding Bid For New South Devon Cycleway:
http://soc.devon.cc/NewCycleway_Q9x3D

New Cycling Facilities To Be Built In Paignton:
http://soc.devon.cc/NewCyclingFacilities_YvVo0

Plymouth City Council Announces New 400-Strong Fleet Of Hireable E-Bikes For 2023:
http://soc.devon.cc/HireableEBikes_zwjId

Unwanted Bikes In Torbay Given A New Lease Of Life:
http://soc.devon.cc/UnwantedBikes_oUlgC

Devon Set To Achieve 100,000 Cycle Training Milestone:
http://soc.devon.cc/CycleTraining_m8aUn

Devon County Council & Exeter City Council Trialling New Way To Treat Cycle Paths During Cold Weather:
http://soc.devon.cc/CyclePathsColdWeather_l1JQQ

Not quite travel related but still an interesting read - it's all connected one way or another.

https://devonclimateemergency.org.uk/taking-action/ruby-country-net-zero-beef-farming-forum-release-their-final-report/

Image: Matthias Zomer

An interesting story in the BBC about Devon County Council reducing its emissions from Highways works and maintenance.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-62383345

IT system to help Devon County Council with cutting carbon emissions Devon County Council is aiming to be net zero by 2030.

Be a part of the conversation about your neighbourhood!

South Hams District Council, in partnership with West Devon Borough Council and Plymouth City Council, has launched a new consultation asking local residents what they like about their neighbourhood and what could be improved.

The survey, My Place, My Views, is open for comments until 5pm on 17 October 2022.
You can fill out the survey by visiting: https://pshwd.commonplace.is/

Great things happening with Transition Streets here in Totnes, including potential Play Streets and car clubs!

On Monday we brought together 9 of the groups of neighbours we are supporting with Transition Streets in Totnes. Out of 21 people, 20 had made new friends since starting the project in the last month or two.

Here is what they are hoping to create:

5 streets want to work with Incredible Edible Totnes to turn their lawns and pavements into shared gardens and planters.

3 want to try street closures for Play Streets inspired by Playing Out so that people of all ages can play, mingle and party.

4 want to turn concrete into street art and install benches for neighbourly chatting and support.

Many are consider solar panels and green energy tariffs.
Others are exploring bulk buying, car shares and even communal star gazing!

Watch this space for our plans to grow Transition Streets....
Transition Together

If you're an experienced rider, this might be just your cuppa.

The 'Nature and Climate - What next for Totnes Constituency?' event is tonight!

https://www.zerohour.uk/totnes_townhall_meeting

Can you help us to help our community to thrive? Last year we helped local projects access over £500k funding. If you can help us continue to build relationships and identify and nurture opportunities for the benefit of Totnes, we want to hear from you.

For more details and to apply, go to: www.totnestowncouncil.gov.uk/your-council/staff-vacancies/

Closing date: 16th August 2022 at midday.

Don't forget the Zero Hour Devon event this Friday, 6.30pm in Kingsbridge.

https://www.zerohour.uk/totnes_townhall_meeting

Need to know where there is bike parking in Totnes? I am in the process of creating a map which you can find here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1VuzGhPRdhC0I2RAUbqjDt77zx6DYjWE&usp=sharing

Click on the icons (and then on the image) to view pictures from the location. If you know of any other bike parking in the Totnes area, let me know by emailing: [email protected]

I will slowly be adding outlying areas when I can.

Public Bike Parking in Totnes & Dartington - Google My Maps An overview of bike parking in and around Totnes. Click the icons for more information about the location, and click the images to see more photos.

There's an interesting event happening on 22nd July in Kingsbridge: ‘Nature and Climate - What next for Totnes Constituency?’

https://www.zerohour.uk/totnes_townhall_meeting

NATURE AND CLIMATE - WHAT NEXT FOR TOTNES CONSTITUENCY? It's Zero Hour for climate and nature. Join the campaign for the Climate & Ecology Bill.

Heading to the County Show? Pop by Co Cars / Co Bikes to talk sustainable travel.

Look no further than the Totnes Bike Hub CIC who are running social rides this summer and who will be offering workshops later on in the year.

With no end in sight to the cost of living crisis, have you considered cycling to save money? If you'd like to give it a go but lack the confidence to get started, we can help! The is offering free repairs, maintenance sessions and led rides across England: cyclinguk.org/bigbikerevival

Some fun things happening in Bridgetown on the 9th July

In less than two weeks Transition Streets, , and Bridgetown are co-hosting a Community Summer Fun Day for you on Saturday 9th July at St John's School in Bridgetown between 12 - 3 pm.

are providing the food!!

Bring your kids, friends and neighbours🧑‍🤝‍🧑💞

I (the Green Travel Coordinator) will be at the Climate Hub launch this Saturday between 1-3pm. Come say hi!

We'll be at the Climate Hub launch this Saturday between 1-3pm. We hope to see you there!

Three days of rail strikes are planned for 21st, 23rd and 25th June 2022 which will disrupt travel for most of the week.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-61723515

Railway workers to strike over three days in June The action planned for 21, 23 and 25 June is being dubbed the "biggest rail strike in modern history".