By Jane Turner, co-transition partner for Transport at Climate Action Leeds
Community Action for Sustainable Transport : Celebrate - Collaborate - Replicate!
CAL’s Transport Transition Partners, Naomi Brown and Jane Turner hosted a Community Action for Sustainable Transport this summer, which provided a platform to learn from recent successes of groups across Leeds working for a better and greener transport system.
Professor Greg Marsden addresses attendees at the event
The one-off event at Leeds Central Quaker Meeting House attracted individuals and representatives from community groups within Leeds with an interest in sustainable transport, car reduction, and air quality. The majority of participants said their main motivations for attending the event were their desire to take action to tackle climate change and support nature.
Throughout the afternoon attendees heard from four speakers:
● Mary Anderson from CAG Consultants, who spoke about the Alwoodley Walk to School Week that took place in May 2024 and offered insight from the successful event
● David Miles from Friends of Gledhow Woods, who shared his learnings from the recent road closure of Gledhow Valley Road for a green fair - a day-long event that attracted over 3,000 visitors
● Matthew Topham from Better Buses, who presented examples of recent campaign success stories and offered ideas and inspiration for others
● Professor Greg Marsden from Leeds University, who showcased the recently launched INFUZE (Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility) collaborative project, which seeks to explore what kind of transport systems can work better for people, business, and places
A busy closed road at Gledhow Valley Green Fair. Credit: Friends of Gledhow Valley Woods
Transition Partner Jane Turner said “The event was a fabulous opportunity to showcase the community work that is taking place within Leeds and to hear from those working for a fairer and more climate-friendly transport system. The four speakers provided inspirational examples of what can be achieved through community action.”
With time built into the event for afternoon tea provided by local caterers Bilberry Bee, there was lots of opportunity for networking and conversation.
The event culminated in roundtable discussions based loosely on the wider themes of the day’s presentations, focussed on campaigning, road closures and events, and school/workplace initiatives to encourage greater active travel. With conversations highlighting the need for action, follow-up work, and ideas sharing, attendees left with new contacts and feeling inspired.
Want to find out more about CAL's work on transport or have ideas you'd like to share? Email helllo@climateactionleeds.org.uk - we'd love to hear from you.
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