With a new national lockdown starting on Thursday, Suffolk County Council is urging residents to keep up the good work with their sustainable travel choices as the weather get colder by launching its campaign - Let's make a change for the future.

The aim of the campaign is to get more people choosing to walk and cycle for their shorter journeys around the peninsula between the Deben and Orwell and for longer journeys pair with public transport, including trains from Trimly and Felixstowe stations.

Following research, one of the positives to come out of the coronavirus crisis is the noticeable increase in people walking and cycling whether that is for commuting to avoid over crowding the transport network, for leisure or as part of daily exercise.

As a result, many areas have seen a reduction in traffic congestion and improvements in air quality. Active travel has also been proven to support people's health and wellbeing.

In Suffolk there has been a 162% increase in the number of people cycling in 2020 compared to the total the total number of people cycling in the whole of 2019. Since March over 10 million people in England have regularly swapped a car journey for walking or cycling. To support this change in behaviour the Department for Transport (DfT) has provided funding to local authorities via its Emergency Active Travel Fund to make it safer and easier for residents to use active travel modes.

Across Suffolk, in line with the Government's guidelines, Suffolk County Council has made, and is continuing to make, alterations to road layouts in towns by closing off sections of roads to motorised vehicles and providing temporary footpaths and cycle lanes. It has also changed traffic signal timings to reduce waiting times at puffin and toucan crossings.

To support these infrastructure changes the local authority is offering free family cycling sessions, bike maintenance vouchers and is providing cycle parking at key locations. It is also engaging with schools and businesses about the benefits of active travel. Suffolk County Council's efforts and commitment to active travel have been praised by the Department for Transport.

The Let's make a change for the future! campaign launches in November and will continue throughout the winter months.

Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said: "Many residents in Suffolk have embraced walking and cycling during the pandemic, so we have a real opportunity here to make a change for the future and embed sustainable travel as part of a long-term habit and reap the associated health, air quality and congestions benefits.

"The aim is to get more people swapping their short car journey for walking or cycling on the commute to work, taking the children to school, visiting friends and family or popping to the shops, and for longer journeys combine active travel with public transport.

"I do understand active travel and public transport are not options for everyone all of the time, other things do get in the way, but even if residents can make the change a couple of days a week, it will make a big difference and we will see the longer term benefits.

"I believe we've got a once in a lifetime opportunity here to create a shift in attitudes for generations to come. I want everyone to feel the transformative benefits of sustainable travel in Suffolk for our health and wellbeing and the environment. I am committed to making this vision a reality."

To find out more about all the measures Suffolk County Council is putting in place to make improvements to the way residents can travel visit suffolk.gov.uk/adviceontravel