A CAR share scheme has launched on the Isle of Wight.

The tailored scheme, set up for businesses and residents, aims to improve accessibility to employment and other services, reduce travel costs and minimise local congestion.

Ian Ward, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for infrastructure and public transport said: “I am really happy to support this programme launching on the Island as taking part in car sharing is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and global gas emissions.

"I would encourage individuals and businesses here to join up and experience the benefits themselves.”

It is free to sign up to the car share scheme at www.iowc.liftshare.com. Users can then match their journey with others using it.

The programme is an opportunity for businesses to benefit from addressing key issues as associated with car parking and congestion, while also contributing to corporate social responsibility targets.

Isle of the Wight NHS Trust deputy chief executive, Frank Sims, said: “We know how congested our roads can get, and many drivers take the same journeys so it makes a lot of sense to bring people together to share journeys and help to reduce the number of vehicles on the Island’s roads.”

The car share community is managed by transport consultancy SYSTRA, in partnership with the council, which is delivering the project as part of the Access Fund for Sustainable Travel, a £1.3 million three-year sustainable transport programme which was secured competitively from the Department for Transport (DfT).

The aim of the DfT’s Access Fund for Sustainable Travel is to support the local economy by supporting access to new and existing employment, education and training; and actively promote increased levels of physical activity through walking and cycling.

For more information, contact the project team at iowtravelnetwork@systra.com.