Travel Sustainability

For most of us, travel forms an integral part of our lives. While some travel may be discretionary, much is unavoidable. However, living in a rural village we often have limited options to make our travel more sustainable.

Given these constraints it is imperative that we do two things: 

  • Think about how we can make changes to reduce our impact on the planet
  • Raise our voices to influence decisions made by others that effect us

Think Global

Act local

Act now

A bus with Glasgow X10 stops at a bus stop
Killearn’s X10 only public transport link avoided threatened cuts thanks to a strong local campaign

Think Global

In fact, when considering Travel, thinking Global can be unhelpful, as most global travel involves flying and flying is the least sustainable form of travel (though domestic flights are even worse in terms of carbon footprint per mile). If you are flying for pleasure, do consider whether that is the best/only option. Increasingly, families are finding ways to holiday without flying in the UK or in Europe, for example using trains or ferries. The trip can take longer but often the journey becomes a part of the holiday.

Visiting family or exploring another country are hugely rewarding experiences, but perhaps we can all monitor how much we fly and possibly ration it. A stag or hen weekend in a European city has become increasingly common, but all those short-haul flights are unsustainable. The International Council on Clean Transportation has calculated that only 3% of the world population regularly flies. If you are fortunate enough to be able to afford flights, please consider how you might avoid some of them.

In a village hall, people talk while standing either side of pop up tables containing information. A customised bike stands at the front of the picture
An Active Travel engagement session in the Village Hall finding out more about routes for possible paths and potential activities such as cycling and Nordic Walking

Act Local

The Scottish Government has a strategy to promote sustainable travel (‘Sustainable travel and the National Transport Strategy’). This sets out the hierarchy of travel options, with Active Travel as the best option, followed by public transport, then car/ride sharing, with individual car use as the last option.

As a rural village we are lucky in having a regular bus service – the X10/X10A. However, we are vulnerable to reductions in services that would leave many isolated and unable to visit friends and family, or with no way to get to work or hospital appointments. The recent community activist campaign was highly effective in ensuring that the X10 continues to run at weekends and in the evenings.

Killearn is also fortunate in having a volunteer group trying to develop active travel paths. They are currently examining the feasibility of a Killearn to Balfron path, and a path that would link the village to the new homes on the former hospital site and to the West Highland Way.

In November 2023 the Forth Valley Connectivity Commission published its report ‘Bridging Divides: Connecting Communities across the Forth Valley’. This report has a strong focus on both public transport and active travel. It also notes the importance of connectivity between communities and of inclusivity in planning these connections. While these are good sustainable principles, it is of concern that the report makes no mention of Killearn and ignores much of west Stirlingshire, including Cycle Route 7. A Working Group from the Council is now evaluating the report – it is important that Killearn’s concerns are heard and noted.  

A number of bikes are raised up on tripod stands in a sunny field. One person is showing some others something on the bike at the forefront.
Cycling Killearn has run a series of village events combining maintenance workshops and bike health checks.

Act Now

We can all review our travel and reduce our impact. In Scotland over 50% of journeys are under 3 miles. Can you walk or cycle more in local journeys? If you need to travel further would the bus be an option? For regular commutes to Stirling or Glasgow is there a possibility of lift sharing – which saves money and reduces climate impact?

Cycling Killearn operates an ebike scheme which gives village residents the chance to ‘try before they buy’ so they can see if it is right for them, before investing in an ebike.