Hope Valley Climate Action’s (HVCA) Chair Davina Ripton, along with transport campaigners Anne Robinson and Roger Clarke, met East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward recently to discuss the ‘Switzerland in the Peak District’ project. Here’s a follow-up statement agreed with the Mayor’s office.
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward welcomed the vision, ambition, and innovation of HVCA’s ‘Switzerland in the Peak District’ project at a meeting with the project team in Matlock on 19th February. The project aims to demonstrate Swiss-style high quality public transport in the Hope Valley, as a pathfinder for other rural areas in the UK.
The Mayor explained that the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) had very limited revenue funds to back the project at this stage, but asked her officials to provide advice and assistance to help the project move to the next stage of feasibility.
She also encouraged HVCA to assemble support from transport operators, other public bodies, and the Department for Transport to help get the project under way.
Working with EMCCA, HVCA now plans to build an informal coalition including local bus operators, Northern Rail, the National Park Authority, the County, and the two District Councils and local community organisations to take the project forward. HVCA welcomes interest and support for the project. You can find the full project report and brochure on our website here. To get involved, contact us at info@hopevalleyclimateaction.org.uk
