Many of us really felt the benefit of walking and cycling during the covid lockdowns, when we were told to not travel unnecessarily. But did that continue as our lives sped up again? Or are we hopping into the car again just to get the odd forgotten item of shopping? It’s really important that we try and keep these new habits; the climate is in crisis right now and we all must take it seriously. Saving the planet shouldn’t be seen as a chore, we will get so many benefits to ourselves personally. We will get fitter, feel stronger, with more energy and be in a better mood. The air will be cleaner and less polluted with fewer cars around, and we will save money on petrol too! If we keep it up and swap our second car for a small electric bike, imagine how much space that would free up in our urban areas! If a car is essential, which it is for some people, then consider an electric car rather than petrol or diesel.
The most sustainable and low carbon methods of travel are the old ways: walking, cycling and public transport, such as buses and trains. Walking is a fantastic exercise, and keeps you fitter than you realise. A comfy pair of shoes is all you need. So let’s keep pushing for better infrastructure to enable more to join in.
Walking
The oldest form of transport is our legs! Walking is not only the cheapest form of transport, but also one of the healthiest. Walking can be for pleasure in the countryside or around town, and Wellington has some lovely walks. There is also walking up to and around the Monument, with fabulous views. Or it can just be going to work or the shops instead of jumping in the car.
The buttons below will take you to some local walking trails and maps. The Town button takes you a Walking Trail around the town. The Country button takes you to walking routes local to Wellington.
Cycling
Every day millions of people choose to wheel or cycle to get to work, to go shopping, to get about their neighbourhood or just to have fun. Despite this, the government doesn’t give active travel the same investment as other modes of transport. But together we may just change the minds of those in power.
We support the proposal to build a traffic-free route linking Wellington and Taunton. The favourite option is the one being championed by the Grand Western Greenway using the course of the former Grand Western Canal. There is a button below which will take you to their website. Please consider becoming a supporter or even a member. There is also a button for the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, formerly Sustrans, who manage the National Cycle Network.
Trains
In recent years there has been a great deal of work completed to re-open a railway station at Wellington, which has been without since 1964. The town is much larger now, and it is incongruous that such a large population should have all trains passing through without stopping.
A new station, a project that is at its ‘delivery’ stage, would provide services to Taunton and Exeter with onward connections to the remainder of the GB network. Hopefully fares will be attractive enough for motorists to consider a different form of transport.
Trains are a great way to travel without the stress of driving. You can work, read or simply admire the scenery during your journey.
Buses
There are local bus services linking Wellington with Taunton, Tiverton, Seaton and Wiveliscombe. The service to Taunton is particularly frequent, with buses running every 20 minutes during weekday peak hours, mostly with new electric vehicles. Evening buses have also been reinstated between the two towns. To make bus travel affordable fares have been capped at £3 per single journey countywide until March 2027.
The Falcon bus (MegaBus) provides a 24/7 service connecting Wellington to Bristol, Plymouth and various stops in between, including Bristol Airport. There are also National Express coaches with daily services to London, and to Barnstable/Bideford, picking up from the High Street in Wellington, and Berry’s coaches that run services to London departing from Longforth Road twice daily.
In 2021, Somerset Bus Partnership (SBP) was set up to ensure people’s views are heard. SBP works across the county to promote and increase bus use and works with Somerset Council and local town/parish councils. SBP has issued its own Bus Manifesto.
The Wellington and Wiveliscombe bus user groups have amalgamated into the ‘Wivey-Welly Bus User Group’. They contributed to the pressure to reinstate the no.27 service linking the two towns, albeit on a trial basis, which entered its second year of operation in April 2026
Cars
For many people a car is their chosen means of transport for all sorts of reasons, not least convenience. Electric and hybrid cars are growing in popularity, but are still in the minority. EV’s do offer a more acceptable solution to the combustion engine, but no cars are without problems when it comes to the environment. The mining of lithium and cobalt together with the use of aluminium being the main issues. Unless used carefully, hybrid cars are considered no better for the environment than petrol or diesel cars.
The Ethical Consumer states that the benefits of electric cars for the climate outweigh the negative issues surrounding mineral mining. One of the problems putting people off buying electric cars has been the mileage range they achieve. Older EV’s are generally poor in this respect, but the new ones are achieving a much better ranges and good for long distances. There is a searchable database of new electric cars on the button below. Electric cars are cheaper to run, costing approximately 1/8th the cost of running a conventional car. Buying a secondhand electric car is a good way to save some money. A local company like Drive Green can help (see button below).
Car use generally needs to be reduced. Car sharing and car clubs are ways that this could be achieved. Zipcar on the button below is a company providing this type of service. For some people owning a car is the only viable option, for others using public transport, walking or cycling is always to be encouraged. If you have to buy a car, then make it an electric one.
Air
Reducing air transport is just one small part of the overall picture of reducing our climate change emissions, however it can make a positive and significant impact. Could you be inspired to pledge for a flight-free year? If so, use the Flight Free button below.
The covid pandemic meant a very different picture for aviation. Many people had to stay grounded, not through choice, but through necessity. We know that positive climate action is much more meaningful when people make an informed decision to fly less, or not at all, and that those decisions will lead to genuine behaviour change and a shift in the narrative around travel.
Get involved
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