Sutton Council's green guru visits Downing Street (From Your Local Guardian)

Sutton Council's green guru visits Downing Street

2:10pm Wednesday 16th December 2009 in

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The council’s top green guru visited 10 Downing Street last week to explain how the people of Sutton are going green.

Daniel Ratchford, strategic director for the environment, met government officials to demonstrate how the council had been working with residents and businesses to promote greener transport.

Top of Downing Street’s shopping list was to find out how they can replicate the success of the Smarter Sutton Travel which has led to big increases in cycling and bus use.

The government indicated that this approach could form part of a national model for green behaviour change based on reducing costs whilst encouraging things like cycling or domestic energy saving.

Mr Ratchford said: “We’re really proud that the people of Sutton could become a national model for how we can all go green.

“The council and local people have managed to deliver radical change in a short period of time on a modest budget.

“We are now applying this approach across the council, in areas as diverse as adult social services and action on climate change. And we would be delighted to share our expertise with other authorities from across the country.”

• Find out about more local green groups at greenguardian.co.uk