Action Briefing Aug 2003 - Sept 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

The Event Formerly Known As Car Free Day

Monday 22nd September is In Town Without My Car Day (that’s In-Town-Without-The-Car-I-Don’t-Have Day to most of us). The European Mobility Week and “In town without my car!” initiatives arose from the recognition that almost 40% of the transport sector’s carbon dioxide emissions are produced by the use of private cars in cities.

A switch to more efficient and cleaner forms of transport, even for one day, would contribute to a reduction of traffic congestion, climate changing carbon dioxide emissions, noise, air pollution, traffic related diseases and deaths, and generally improve the quality of urban life. ITWMC raises awareness of this fact and promotes the involvement of citizens.

Last year there were 43 ITWMC events in the UK, and the number this year looks set to rise. Birmingham is to be commended for going half way and organising European Mobility Week events last year, but it could go further this year and take part in ITWMC.

The last City Council Sustainability Forum, on transport, featured a healthy debate of the issue and a certain lack of acceptance (I’m being polite here) from speakers and audience for Birmingham City Council’s reasons for having previously not taken part.

By the time you receive this newsletter the deadline for registration (1st August) and we will know whether or not Birmingham is taking part, and at the moment it looks like they are. You can send your views on the decision to The Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B1 1BB. Suggested cabinet members to write to are: Albert Bore (Council Leader), John Tyrrell (Transport), Stewart Stacey (Deputy Leader/Sustainability) and Andrew Coulson (Regeneration)

The Central Government website for ITWMC states that “in the final analysis, ITWMC is about much more than just a day: ultimately, it is about handing on a more habitable city to our children.”

Perhaps if we want to remain the second city, or be recognised as a 'capital of culture', our City Council should join ITWMC as Manchester and Liverpool both have. If you’d like to take part in any activities on the day contact me at Birmingham Friends of the Earth on 0121 632 6909 or email me.

Karen Leach