A NEW guide to sustainable travel in Lower Wharfedale has been published to mark Better Transport Week 2024.

Better Transport Week (June17-24) is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and advancing sustainable transport and the aim of the four-page guide is to encourage people from towns and villages such as Otley, Menston, Guiseley and Burley-in-Wharfedale to ditch the private car and make better travel choices.

It is the work of the 250 member Friends of DalesBus (Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group), whose chairman is Colin Speakman.

Mr Speakman said: "We have chosen this area because we are aware that so many of the 25,000 or people so who live in these attractive towns on the northern outskirts of Leeds and Bradford have literally no idea of what excellent networks of trains and buses are available.

"The idea of the Travel Guide is to encourage people to make better travel choices by using the often cheaper and far more environmentally friendly alternative to the private car for both business and leisure travel.

"This will help help the environment by reducing carbon emission but also by reducing traffic congestion, and problems with parking. It will also have significant health benefits by encouraging people to walk more, including the health-giving short walk to or from the bus stop or train station.

"The Guide does not provide timetables as such, but lists the many available green travel choices that are available not only to and from nearby towns and cities but into nearby Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape through the nationally acclaimed local DalesBus integrated travel network. This allow a huge choice of routes for walking and sightseeing, in most cases costing just £2 a journey or absolutely free with a Senior Pass."

The guide includes information on how to make the most of rail and bus services in the area, including the Dalesbus service, stating: "Despite some recent reductions in services, it is perfectly possible to live a full and rewarding life in this part of Wharfedale, with access to most facilities and services, without needing access to a car."

The Lower Wharfedale Travel Guide can be downloaded from www.friendsofdalesbus.org or www.dalesbus.org.