Field Journal

Words: Daniel Neilson // Photography: Bryce Powrie
Produced in Partnership with Protect Our Winters UK

Transport makes up a third of all harmful emissions from the outdoor sector. The Clean Miles campaign from Protect Our Winters UK is asking you to sign a petition that calls for affordable, well-connected, gear-friendly public transport to our outdoor spaces.

Just like on a ski slope or a mountain-biking track, following a fissure on a crag, or through the snowy landscapes on skis, we take the path of least resistance, the route with the smoothest flow, the cleanest line. The same for getting to our destination. We could take the bus or the train, we could get the ferry, we could avoid flying, we could avoid driving alone, but so often it’s just not feasible for all manner of valid reasons. The train doesn’t have space for skis or a bike; the bus has no room for large rucksacks or duffel bags; the connections mean a long wait; transport doesn’t actually go to the destination, or is prohibitively expensive.

The Clean Miles campaign from outdoor climate action charity Protect Our Winters UK has been developed to overcome these issues. It aims to make low-carbon travel the easiest way to reach the outdoors, and it needs your help. For the TL;DR version, please sign this short petition.

Each signature strengthens the case to policymakers to remove the barriers to using public transport. A world where affordable, reliable, and gear-friendly public transport is the norm can happen. It has happened in other parts of the world – Switzerland and Austria are examples – so why not here? It just takes will, planning, and effort.

‘As adventurers, travellers and explorers, we are inspired by the raw beauty of the natural world, the pull to go farther to experience nature in its truest form,’ said Cat Ainsworth, CEO of Protect Our Winters UK. ‘At Protect Our Winters UK, we focus on systemic change – change that dramatically reduces emissions. That’s why we’re focusing on transport, which makes up a third of all emissions from the outdoor sector. If we can improve lower-carbon transport methods – such as trains – we can make it easier to choose train travel over flying or driving. Currently, the options aren’t there. The Clean Miles campaign exists to fundamentally change the way we travel to the outdoors, so that the journey protects the destination.’

Once the petition has been signed – a 30-second job – there’s also an optional survey that asks about the barriers to travelling by public transport. The results and comments already in demonstrate the scale of the problem, as well as the clear solutions required to make public transport much easier to use.

The problem of space and restrictions for gear comes up quite a lot, with one respondent saying: ‘People should know that there will be adequate space no matter when or where they travel. The focus should be on service and requirement rather than maximising profit.’

Another wrote: ‘Future train design needs to have effective spaces for luggage. Currently, even suitcases rarely fit on British trains. Look to Switzerland for good examples, where a carriage has a setup for a large number of bikes, but this space can also be utilised by suitcases, ski bags, and other equipment for outdoor use.’

Another common barrier mentioned by the outdoor community is the lack of public transport options centred around outdoor activities, and how these should be more frequent. For example, at peak times more frequent buses are provided from Aviemore to the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre. Several people mentioned shuttle services from transport hubs to outdoor centres. The need for joined-up thinking across the public transport was also mentioned. One respondent asked for a ‘fully integrated nationwide public transport network and route planner to easily plan entire journeys using multiple modes of transport if required’.

And it’s not just about the last leg of transport to the destination. Some people cited that simply leaving London with a pair of skis or a bike is difficult.

It’s an issue Protect Our Winters UK recognises. Cat Ainsworth said: ‘While we all share a passion to protect the outdoors, sometimes knowing where to start or what actions have the biggest impact can be challenging.’

Other barriers include few regional bus services, lack of provision to book a bike place for a full journey rather than through different train and bus companies, road safety for cycling, and the price of long-distance train travel – in particular the Caledonian Sleeper to Scotland, and Eurostar for travel to Europe.

While many barriers to public transport exist, the vision of the Clean Miles campaign is simple: ‘The cleanest way to reach the places we love should also be the easiest, with public transport that’s affordable, reliable, well-connected, and designed for adventure. That means space for bikes, skis, boards, backpacks, and all the gear we need to get outdoors with clean miles.’

In a call to action, Protect Our Winters UK wrote: ‘We’re calling on the UK Government to build these changes into rail nationalisation – and we’re pushing Eurostar and French operators to step up too.

‘Every signature strengthens our case to remove the barriers to public transport and make clean, low-carbon travel the norm for outdoor adventure.’

You’ll find loads of resources at Protect Our Winters UK, but first, please sign the petition here.