Sustainable travel news vol. 8

Welcome to our eighth sustainable travel roundup, created in collaboration with Flight Free UK, where we will share some of the most recent updates, news, and developments shaping the future of eco-friendly travel.

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New night train connects Rome and Marseille

Trenitalia launched their Espresso Riviera service this summer, allowing passengers to travel overnight between Rome and Marseille. The Espresso Riviera will run once a week during the peak summer months.

The Espresso Riviera follows a trend by rail companies to bring back overnight connections and expand rail links between European cities such as Austria’s ÖBB Nightjet expansion, France’s SNCF revivals, and new services connecting cities like Berlin, Paris, and Vienna.

Find out more on the FTN News website.

Green tourism projects pave the way for a more sustainable Cotswolds

A new wave of eco-friendly projects is helping to shape a greener future for the Cotswolds visitor economy, thanks to collaboration between Cotswolds Tourism, local councils and business partners.

The Sustainability Champions project highlights over 20 inspirational local businesses that are leading the way to taking positive steps towards sustainability. Complementing this is the Car-Free Cotswolds initiative, which is working with local businesses to make it easier for visitors to access and explore the region without a car.

Find out more on the West Oxfordshire District Council website.

© Habitat Escapes

Travel gets greener for university students and staff

A new sustainable travel hub at the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road site is now open, giving students and staff greater choice when deciding how to travel. The hub complements the city’s growing active travel offer which gives citizens a range of sustainable transport options.

Find out more on the University of Derby website.

First two sustainable travel schemes completed in Penzance

Penzance is marking a major milestone as work concludes on the first two schemes of its Sustainable Travel Network, funded through the Town Deal programme. Led by Cornwall Council and Penzance Town Deal Board, the schemes aim to transform how people move through and experience the town.

Find out more on the Cornish Stuff website.

TfW commits to sustainable travel at Eisteddfod in Wrexham | The Leader

Transport for Wales commits to sustainable travel at Eisteddfod 

Following last year's success in Pontypridd, Transport for Wales (TfW) has worked in collaboration with Wrexham County Borough Council and the Eisteddfod organisers to establish transport arrangements that prioritise green travel options.

Shuttle buses will provide free transportation for onward journeys to the Eisteddfod Maes, the TrawsCymru T3 bus route, running from Barmouth to Wrexham, will make the Eisteddfod Maes an additional designated stop, and TfW is working with Cycling UK and Wrexham Council to identify safe routes for visitors arriving by bike or on foot.

Find out more on The Leader website.

Free rides offered on Santander Cycles in August

Londoners are being offered free unlimited 60-minute rides on Santander Cycles during Sundays in August, to celebrate Transport for London's Cycle Sundays. The scheme was created to encourage those new to cycling to give it a go, with beginner-friendly routes, leisure ride routes and cycle training tips provided.

Find out more on the BBC website.

Direct East Sussex-London train to be reinstated

A rail link between two East Sussex towns and London discontinued during the pandemic is being brought back, a train company has announced. Govia Thameslink Railway said from December a direct train will run in the morning between Eastbourne, Lewes and London Bridge and return in the evening, after calls by customers.

Find out more on the BBC website.

Boy wins battle to bring back summer bus

A 15-year-old boy has won his battle to bring back a seasonal bus service after locals told him they had "been chopped off the map". Jack and his family used the number seven bus, running between St Osyth and Clacton seafront in Essex, during their own holidays until it was axed in 2023.

Then the teenager, from Dagenham, east London, began engaging with local councillors, gathering almost 900 signatures on a petition and meeting representatives of bus company Konectbuses to get the service reinstated.

Find out more on the BBC website.

Inclusive bike charity expands to meet demand

A charity running inclusive cycling sessions for people with disabilities has expanded to accommodate its growing community of participants. Goals Beyond Grass Bikes, run six weekly sessions throughout Gloucestershire, using adapted bicycles which cater to riders' various needs.

With 2,000 people taking part in the last three months, they have extended their programme to include the track at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham.

Find out more on the BBC website.

Rising number of people cycling to work in Aviemore

The number of people using bikes for everyday journeys in parts of the Highlands is on the rise, according to new data. Journeys by bike on the B9152 road between Aviemore and Carrbridge are up 53% for the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2024.

Nick Montgomery from Cycling Scotland, said: "What we see from the data is that where local authorities are investing in protected cycle lanes and improved networks of cycling routes, there are big increases in people travelling by bike”.

Find out more on the Cycling Scotland website. BBC website.

By Eveline Vouillemin ©