The Bridgwater Active Travel Day returns to the Town Hall on Saturday May 20th. The family-friendly event will feature a whole host of groups who will be there to help inform the public about the benefits of all things active travel. The day will include an introduction by the Town Mayor; local walking and cycling information; local public transport and bike maintanance and security marking. It&#39;s free to attend, and all the family are welcome. The day starts at 10am and finishes at 3pm. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1681285284/projects/somersetsustainabletransport/73015aaa-4ad5-45d8-8ebb-05f717377eb1.jpg" />

Bridgwater Active Travel Day, Saturday May 20th

An innovative physical activity game that has engaged more than a million people is set to launch in Shepton Mallet and Wells. The Beat the Street game will take place in Shepton Mallet and Wells from 26th April to 24th May 2023 thanks to a National Lottery grant from Sport England. Beat the Street encourages people to get outside and to get active and is open to anyone of any age who would like to take part. The game works by turning the town into a real-life game and residents will soon start to see special sensors called Beat Boxes appearing on lampposts around the area. Prior to the game, primary school pupils from participating schools will be provided with cards while parents and teachers will also receive a card from the school so they can accompany children. The wider community can pick up a free contactless card from a distribution point listed on the website www.beatthestreet.me/sheptonwells Players join a school or community team to join or you can set up your own with a minimum of 6 players. Players then walk, cycle or wheel between the 38 Beat Boxes which are spaced half a mile apart - hovering the cards as they go. The further players travel, the more points they score. Beat the Street was created by GP Dr William Bird MBE, an expert in physical activity and the founder of Intelligent Health. Beat the Street has not only had a significant impact on increasing low levels of physical activity amongst adults and children, but also helps reduce congestion, improves air quality, and helps families spend time in green spaces together. It has been adapted to ensure that it’s safe to play during the COVID-19 pandemic with contactless cards. Jake Hannis, Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership Deputy CEO said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing Beat the Street to Shepton Mallet &amp;amp; Wells. We know that one of the best things people can do right now for their physical and mental health is to move more and to get out into green space where possible, and Beat the Street really helps people do just that in a safe way. “It’s free to take part in Beat the Street and it’s open to everyone regardless of age, ability or background. It’s an inclusive game that encourages you to exercise from your front door and to clock up the miles within the game framework.” According to research, one in four people in England does less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week, which classes them as inactive. Four out of five primary school children do not get the recommended amount of daily exercise of 60 minutes a day. The National Lottery funding from Sport England will not only help people in Shepton Mallet and Wells to get active, but also to leave a positive legacy to improve the community’s health and wellbeing. For more information on updates on the game, please click onto www.beatthestreet.me/sheptonwells or follow @BeatTheStreetSheptonWells on Facebook. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1680272114/projects/somersetsustainabletransport/fec8e6fd-2f64-439c-b9e0-d3c82931c368.jpg" />

Beat the Streets comes to Shepton Mallet and Wells

Somerset County Council has launched a survey to capture the views of young people across the county on the future of transport. The survey was complied with the help of the Somerset Youth Parliament and their deputies who belong to the UK-wide group representing the voices of young people. The survey gives young people in the county the chance to have a say on how they want transport to work in the future. Their views will help inform policy, shape sustainable transport solutions and in turn help to combat climate change and improve health. Jasmine, one of Somerset’s Members of the Youth Parliament said: “Public transport is a particular issue for young people in Somerset as we have so many rural communities.” Joel, another Member, said: “We’d encourage all young people to have your say about any issues that affect young people in Somerset. The Somerset Youth Parliament is a great foundation to do this.” Somerset County Council’s Lead Member for Young People, Children and Families, Cllr Tessa Munt said: “Young people have got a lot to say on this issue – not least because it’s their future we’re talking about! We really value our Youth Parliament members. They do fantastic work to give young people a platform and allow their voices to be heard on the things which matter to them.” Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset County Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital added: “We need to be listening to young people when it comes to planning what transport will look like in the future, so it’s vital that we capture their views. I’d urge young people across the county to take part in the survey and have a good look at our Commonplace website – it’s helping us to shape our transport networks to ensure their priorities are included.” You can take part in the survey and comment on Somerset’s Local Cycling and Walking Plans here: <a href="https://somersetsustainabletransport.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/somerset-youth-voice-survey/step1">https://somersetsustainabletransport.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/somerset-youth-voice-survey/step1</a> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1679572793/projects/somersetsustainabletransport/dd5b34c3-d395-4e83-b502-8e49d7ad8697.png" />

Young people urged to have their say on Somerset’s transport future

Welcome to Somerset Sustainable Transport, bringing together active travel and sustainable transport proposals from across the County. This is where we'll post information on new and developing schemes and give you the opportunity to have your say.