Portsmouth has launched Air Quality Heroes campaign featuring local advocates sharing sustainable travel experiences to inspire residents to reduce car dependency and improve city air quality for healthier communities.
The initiative showcases how travel choices impact wellbeing and health for Portsmouth residents, workers, and visitors. Local clean air champions have shared their daily commuting experiences through short films, demonstrating how individual actions contribute to cleaner air across the city.
The campaign aims to encourage sustainable travel habits, regardless of scale, helping create healthier, longer lives for Portsmouth’s community.
Transport statistics reveal that 91% of UK transport emissions originate from road vehicles, predominantly private cars. Vehicle fuel combustion and particulate matter from brakes, tyres, and road surfaces contribute significantly to air pollution, affecting public health whilst imposing costs on society, the economy, and environment.
Vulnerable groups including children, elderly residents, and individuals with medical conditions face heightened risks from poor air quality.
Adopting alternative transport methods such as walking, cycling, or public transport enhances personal wellbeing whilst benefiting the broader community. Even switching one weekly car journey to sustainable alternatives creates meaningful air quality improvements.
Princess’s Journey
Princess Ufuoma, featured Air Quality Hero, praises Portsmouth’s accessible transport network: “I love that it’s easy to travel around Portsmouth – cycling, walking, taking the bus.”
Research indicates that if everyone substituted one monthly car journey with bus travel, this would eliminate one billion car trips annually, saving two million tonnes of CO2.
Portsmouth’s transport infrastructure improvements, from electric buses to enhanced cycling routes, reduce car dependency whilst alleviating traffic congestion and air pollution.
Electric, zero-emission buses operate through four air quality management areas, targeting pollution reduction where most needed. Affordable fare options include youth discounts, group rates, and night services, making public transport accessible for regular travellers.
Combining bus journeys with cycling and walking, like Princess, maximises air quality benefits alongside personal health improvements.
Portsmouth Launches New £2 On-Demand Transport Service
Molly-Mae’s Experience
Molly-Mae, another Air Quality Hero, advocates Portsmouth Park and Ride: “For anyone travelling into Portsmouth, I would wholeheartedly recommend the park and ride.”
The service provides convenient, sustainable alternatives for visitors and residents from outlying areas, reducing city centre vehicle numbers whilst improving air safety.
Park and ride particularly benefits commuters like Molly-Mae from remote locations with limited public transport access. Beyond air quality improvements, users enjoy frequent daily services plus additional summer weekend options.
Benefits include avoiding congested traffic, eliminating parking concerns, and providing commute time for reflection or work preparation. The service offers flexible, affordable fares with convenient payment methods.
For sustainable travel information, visit Sustainable Travel – Cleaner Air Portsmouth.
