New Car Club Bays Launched

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as Council supported scheme expands cars to attract more members..

Wandsworth Council has launched ten more car club parking bays on local streets in a bid to attract more members to the rapidly expanding scheme.

Membership has rocketed since the council backed the project two years ago. Over 6000 Wandsworth residents have now joined ‘Streetcar’, the second highest take up for a London borough.

Speaking at the launch Wandsworth’s cabinet member for planning and transportation, Cllr Guy Senior, said the car club’s growth is key to easing congestion:

"The new bays will mean more residents can swap car ownership for car club membership - freeing up parking spaces, reducing the number of cars on the road and cutting exhaust emissions."

The ten new bays bring the borough’s on-street total to 20. The locations have been picked to bring the scheme within easy reach of the highest number of residents. Another 85 Streetcar vehicles are available across Wandsworth on privately owned property.

Transport for London estimate members can save around £3500 a year by joining a car club. Cllr Senior continues:
"More and more residents are realising the benefits of being able to use a car whenever they want without all the expense and hassle of owning one. Its even good for your health as members tend to stop making short trips by car - choosing instead to walk or cycle."

The new on-street car club bay locations are:

· Hotham Road, opposite Hotham School, SW15 (Thamesfield)

· Longwood Drive, near Roehampton High Street, SW15 (Roehampton)

· Bessborough Road, at northern junction with Alton Road, SW15 (Roehampton)

· Littleton Street, near junction with Garratt Lane, SW18 (Earlsfield)

And further afield:

· Vicarage Crescent, near Battersea High Street, SW11 (St Mary’s Park)

· Cathles Road, near Balham Hill, SW12 (Balham)

· Ravenstone Street, near Balham High Road, SW12 (Nightingale)

· Ribblesdale Road, near junction with Southcroft Road, SW16 (Furzedown)

· Brudenell Road, near All Saints' Church, SW17 (Tooting)

· Wisley Road, near junction with Chatto Road, SW11 (Northcote)

Members can book a vehicle online or over the phone and pick it up from a parking bay close to their home or work. Vehicles can be hired for as little as half an hour before being returned to the same spot for the next user.

What are Car Clubs? A car club provides its members with quick and easy access to a car for short term hire. Members can make use of car club vehicles as and when they need them.

Book - for as little as half an hour at a time, using telephone or internet. The booking can be made well ahead of time or with a few minutes notice. Unlock  - cars are located at designated parking bays in the local area and accessed using the member’s smart card Drive – Once inside the driver enters a pin and drives away, returning the car at the end of the journey. It is possible to extend the booking if necessary Pay  - Pay-as-you-go charges include fuel and maintenance costs. A subscription charge is paid monthly or annually.

                                                   

July 29, 2009