Uni promotes car share incentive

Reserved parking is being offered as an incentive to car share

Specially-reserved parking spaces are to be offered to staff and students at the University of the West of England (UWE) as an incentive to share cars.

A total of 137 spaces have been set aside as part of a scheme to help cut congestion on Bristol's major routes.

Organisers said there would also be financial benefits to users because fuel costs would be shared too.

People are encouraged to find partners on the 2carshare web site which matches those who live near each other.

The website is jointly supported by Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire councils.

Car-matching

UWE's newly-appointed Travel Planner Steve Ward said: "We encourage as many people as possible to cycle, walk, or use public transport to get to work.

"But in an organisation the size of UWE it is inevitable that some staff have to use their cars.

"Many students and staff at UWE already car share, but this new scheme aims to increase the number who do so by making car-matching easier and providing special parking for those who decide to join the scheme.

The benefits are mainly financial, less wear and tear on my car and sharing the cost of travelling to university Oliver Yates, student

"It is no secret that car parking is a problem on this campus and we recognise that we need to do something about it."

Oliver Yates, who often car shares with fellow student Lisa Miller said: "The benefits are mainly financial, less wear and tear on my car and sharing the cost of travelling to university.

"I also think that we are doing our bit for the environment by reducing congestion."