ForwardMotion travel roadshows hit south Essex

October 16, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

Head over to Southend-on-Sea, Grays and Basildon town centres this month for the chance to watch wheeled sports stunt riders, race your family and friends in a static bike race and receive free, bespoke advice about how to travel differently around south Essex. ForwardMotion’s travel roadshows will be coming to Southend-on-Sea on 26 October, Grays on 28 October and Basildon on 29 October.

ForwardMotion encourages people to think differently about the way they travel around south Essex. The goal is to reduce reliance on cars and get people to consider alternative travel options such as cycling, catching public transport or walking. ForwardMotion is a collaboration between Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils, and funded by the Department for Transport.

At the roadshows, expert travel advisors will be helping people to consider how taking up cycling, increasing the amount they walk or using public transport more often could better connect them with jobs, education and training opportunities in the south Essex area. 

Need to get somewhere but don’t know the best way? Fancy travelling differently and avoiding long queues of traffic? Wondering where there might be job or training opportunities that you can get to by public transport? Travel advisors will be advising people one-to-one and can create personalised travel plans to meet your needs and open up new opportunities.

There will be fun activities, such as performances from professional skateboarders and BMXers, static bike racing and balance bikes, as well as free bike checks and the opportunity to enter a prize draw to win a £400 voucher to spend at a local bike shop. There will also be representatives from local public transport operators, providing travel advice and information.

Cllr Ron Woodley, Chair of the South Essex Active Travel Sponsoring Board, said: “Getting moving in a new way – whether on foot, by bike or via public transport – is at the heart of this Department for Transport-funded initiative. I would like to encourage people to come along to these roadshows, to enjoy the fun activities on offer, but also to stop by to speak to ForwardMotion’s travel advisors about how they can make some changes to their daily journey and make it more active. We know travelling differently for just one day a week can benefit your health, and the environment, but simply getting started can be a challenge. That’s where ForwardMotion comes in.” 

“People can find out more about the roadshow events and the ForwardMotion campaign by visiting the website www.forwardmotionsouthessex.co.uk.”

Roadshow dates and locations:

Southend-on-Sea town centre (by The Victoria Shopping Centre) - Saturday, 26 October

Grays town centre (by Barclays Bank) – Monday, 28 October

Basildon town centre (by Costa Coffee) – Tuesday, 29 October

All roadshows will start at 9am and finish at 5pm.

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