Think globally, act locally

Hello Supporter

I love reading about innovative local efforts to improve and promote sustainable transport. The photo above shows parents and toddlers from Petersfield about to set off on a free train trip, courtesy of the East Hampshire Community Rail Partnership. The aim of the trip was to introduce young families to train travel, easing their worries about how to buy tickets, how to board the train safely with little ones and what to expect on the journey.

When more people feel confident using public transport it benefits communities, towns and cities, and our environment. What a brilliant example of thinking globally, acting locally.

On 26 June, thousands of people will come together to send a message to politicians - it's time to end the UK's contribution to climate change and pass ambitious laws that create a healthier environment for nature and people. The Time Is Now rally will snake round Westminster, organised town by town, village by village, before meeting MPs one by one to tell them that we want action!

When it comes to carbon emissions, transport is the worst offender. We need to improve public transport, walking and cycling and cut traffic on our roads to avert climate disaster. Why not come along on 26 June with a placard showing the connection between your local campaign and the health of the climate?

Two Government Select Committees call for better buses

In recent weeks, two Government Select Committees have made recommendations that could be good news for your campaign.

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Rural Economy called on Government to review funding streams for rural public transport as part of a new rural strategy. It recommended the Total Transport approach, which involves all those commissioning transport services in an area (including NHS patient transport, local authorities, taxis, community transport and car share schemes) working together to ensure a coherent public transport offer that gets people where they want to go.

The Commons Transport Select Committee called for a National Bus Investment Strategy by the end of 2020, something Campaign for Better Transport has long campaigned for. Such a strategy already exists for rail and road, cycling and walking; we urgently need one to halt the decline in local buses.

Grants and opportunities

There's just time for my usual round-up of grants and other opportunities that could help your local campaign:

• Cambridgeshire's Innovate and Cultivate Fund helps voluntary groups realise their projects to help address the needs of local residents. Applications close 1 August

• Reaching Communities England offers flexible funding over £10,000 for up to five years to organisations in England who want to take action on the issues that matter to people and communities

• The Government offers grants to support the wider use of electric and hybrid vehicles via the Office of Low Emission Vehicles

• The Coalfields Regeneration Trust aims to improve life in Britain's former mining communities. Grants are available in England, Scotland and Wales.

Good bye till next time

Jess