Introduction
Transport produces 28% of Somerset’s carbon emissions, making it the largest source. To reduce emissions, we need to change how we travel.
This includes switching to electric vehicles, using public transport, cycling or walking, and reducing how much we travel overall.
We will need a mix of these changes to reduce transport emissions
Electric Vehicles
Somerset developed a joint electric vehicle charging strategy, adopted in December 2020. Read the electric vehicle charging strategy on our strategies page.
Electric vehicles play a key role in reducing emissions where road travel is still needed. They use electricity instead of petrol or diesel. Electric vehicle technology has improved in recent years. Vehicles can now travel further and offer similar reliability and comfort to petrol or diesel cars.
District councils have installed electric vehicle charging points in council-owned car parks across Somerset. Find car parks in your area with charging points.
If you are thinking about buying an electric vehicle, read the Energy Saving Trust electric vehicle guide. – All you need to know about electric vehicles – Energy Saving Trust.
Active Travel
Active travel means getting around without a motor vehicle. This includes walking, cycling and using mobility aids such as wheelchairs. Active travel benefits both physical and mental health.
In Somerset, we want to improve active travel. We aim to create healthy, active communities with safe and high-quality walking and cycling routes. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable, whatever way they travel. Active travel also supports better air quality, the environment and climate action.
Get simple tips on walking and cycling in our guides.
Find more advice on staying active and healthy on the Somerset Sports and Active Partnership (SASP) website.
Explore active travel routes and places to walk in Somerset.
- Areas of Natural Beauty
- Exmoor National Park
- The Strawberry Line
- Frome Missing Links
- Avalon Marshes – cycling
- Somerset walking and cycling maps
- Sustrans
Somerset Council is working with Frome Town Council on a school streets project. Find out more on the Frome Town Council website.
Find the nearest 20’s Plenty campaign and learn how to get involved.
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans
Somerset has developed a series of local cycling and walking infrastructure plans. These are ten-year plans to improve cycling and walking networks in local areas.They support funding bids for active travel projects. So far, plans have been developed for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil.
We use data to understand how people travel, including where journeys start and end. This helps us identify key routes.
We then create a core network that is easy to use. It supports less confident cyclists, people with limited mobility and anyone who wants to travel without a car.
Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans
Public Transport
Bus services in Somerset are run by First Bus. Find general information on public and community transport on our transport pages.
Great Western Railway runs train services across Somerset. Check journey times and plan your trip on the Great Western Railway website.
Plan your journey using the think travel website. It covers all public transport options in Somerset.