It was recognised early on in the project that it was hard to engage with local people on vague terms like ‘sustainable transport’. Following local interest, single-issue groups were established to take forward particular causes. The most successful of these are listed below. The groups are supported by Sustaining Dunbar with incidental costs such as producing a website/Facebook group and promotional materials, admin support and minute taking, providing meeting spaces and hire of halls for public consultations.
SpareWheels . Noting a need for a local car hire to reduce dependency on car ownership, we produced a business plan and founded SpareWheels, Dunbar’s carsharing club as a Community Interest Company. This recently received a grant of £25,000 from the ‘Developing Car Clubs in Scotland Fund’ to buy and support 2 cars for the first year of operation. It launches in May 2011.
Cycling Dunbar. With our support, the group has been successful in attracting £3350 from Cyling Scotland to set up a base for regular bike maintenance sessions, cycle training and organised rides. This aims to not only attract and support new cyclists, but also provide a focus for the whole cycling community in Dunbar.
RELBUS. We set up the Rural East Lothian Bus Users group in response to local anger at a sudden cut in local bus services in December 2010. It has 40 members.
20s Plenty for Dunbar. Recognising that many local people feel unsafe cycling on the roads we joined the national 20’s Plenty campaign and set up a local branch. The group is still in its infancy, but the hope is to gather support for a town-wide 20mph zone which will make cycling and walking more attractive options for local people.
Connecting Innerwick. Pedestrians and cyclists in village of Innerwick are cut-off from Dunbar by the busy A1. We are helping them to campaign for a safe alternative route to be provided.