ENJOY THE SOUTH DOWNS ON CAR FREE DAY, 22 SEPTEMBER
The South Downs Society today (14 September 2009) announced two events it is staging to celebrate international Car Free Day. Every 22 September, people from around the world gather for walking and cycling car-free events.
At Brighton Marina Main bus stop at 11am, the South Downs Society will be leading a 2 mile linear stroll to Rottingdean along the 65-million year old undercliff. The walk is buggy-friendly, so families are very welcome to join in too. Buses 7, 21, 25c, 47 and 52 all stop at the Brighton Marina. We will stop for a picnic on the beach, or a pub or tea room visit at the end.
And at Catherington, near Horndean in Hampshire, people will be able to leave their cars behind and enjoy a six-mile walk over the beautiful Catherington Down, followed by a picnic. The walk starts at 10.30am at the Catherington Lane bus stop near All Saints Church. Bus 37 from Havant, Waterlooville and Petersfield Station stops in Catherington.
Jacquetta Fewster from the South Downs Society said: “The South Downs Society is delighted to be hosting events to celebrate Car Free Day in 2009. It is wonderful that the car has made the countryside accessible to more people, but the downside is often noise, pollution and traffic jams. Thanks to public transport, much of the South Downs is now easily accessible by bus and train. Why not join us for a bus ride, and a superb walk, and help celebrate Car Free Day on 22 September?”
Everyone is welcome to join in and all walks are free. Walkers should wear stout footwear, bring a drink and a bite to eat, and a mac in case there’s a shower.
For those wishing to plan their own public-transport walks on the South Downs should visit the public transport page on the Society’s website at www.southdownssociety.org.uk.
The Car Free Day movement began in the wake of the 1973/1974 oil crisis and took off as a co-ordinated international movement in the mid 1990s. In 2008, the event was celebrated in over 40 countries.