Two months following the last general election, we supported constituents from Hope Valley Climate Action (HVAC) in a meeting with their newly elected MP, Robert Largan, to discuss pressing issues of transport and climate change. Given Robert's role on the Transport Select Committee and the constituents' keen interest, transport was chosen as the focus of this dialogue. Robert demonstrated a strog openness to the group's ideas, requested a follow-up meeting with other local environmental groups, and suggested actionable steps, concluding the meeting with a commitment that his "door is always open"
To underscore the widespread support for a local integrated transport project, we collaborated with HVCA to organize a significant event. This event aimed to highlight current transport challenges and potential solutions, featuring contributions from key stakeholders and experts at both local and national levels.
During the event, Robert Largan MP committed to facilitating meetings between local stakeholders and the Department for Transport, aiming to secure essential capital to initiate the project. He championed High Peak as a pilot project for Rural Sustainable Integrated Transport. This advocacy led to the project 'Travelling Light' receiving £100,000 in funding from the Department for Transport.
The funding secured for 'Travelling Light' marks a significant step forward in addressing sustainable transport needs in rural areas. With this initial success, we aim to expand our efforts, continuing to advocate for and implement integrated transport solutions that can serve as a model for other rural communities.