Manchester Lib Dems Support Car-Free Day

12.16.55am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 22nd Sep 2006

In the week of the Party's radical new "Green Tax" plans being agreed by Lib Dem Conference, Manchester Liberal Democrats are warmly welcoming Car-Free Day on Friday 22nd September.

On Friday 22 September, as part of European Mobility Week (16 to 22 September), the Manchester and Salford will join hundreds of European towns and cities in a bid to persuade people to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or use public transport.

Manchester Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Paul Shannon stated:

"Climate Change and Pollution are extremely important issues for people in Manchester, the UK and all over the world. The future of the planet is stake, so we all need to look at our own behaviour and consumer habits to see if we can make changes to reduce our carbon footprint. Hopefully "Car-Free Day" in Manchester will help local residents look at alternatives to the car for accessing the city centre."

Street closures will be in place and metroshuttle services re-routed, from 7 am to 5 pm on lower Market Street and 11am to 3pm on Corporation Street, Cross Street. Passers-by will be able to stroll on the "lawn" and eat their lunch at the picnic tables provided.

The highlight of the event will be a stunning lunchtime display at 12.30 pm by Cheshire Falconry, whose beautiful birds of prey will bring to the city centre a breath of fresh country air.

The theme of this year's "In town, without my car!" day is climate change. A number of organisations will be on hand with advice on how we can all do our bit to tackle climate change, how to improve our "eco footprints" and how to plan journeys without driving. School children from Manchester and Salford will demonstrate how they travel to school on a "walking bus".

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