Cairngorms National Park Authority is Switched-On to e-transport
Cairngorms National Park Authority is Switched-On to e-transport
The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) have a green future ahead as they make the switch to electric cars and support community e-bikes.
The organisation have taken delivery of two Nissan Leaf 100Kw plug in electric vehicles this year, which complement the hybrid vehicles already in the fleet.
The new fully electric vehicles have been obtained with funding made available by Scottish Ministers through the Transport Scotland’s Switched-on Fleet Grant Offer, which is funding 90% of the 3 year lease costs. The CNPA will be looking to increase the number of fully electric vehicles once the hybrid leases come up for renewal.
David Cameron, Director of Corporate Services at the CNPA said, “We take our corporate responsibilities very seriously, switching to electric vehicles is a key decision which will actively reduce our emissions. Scottish Government intends to end the sale of petrol & diesel cars by 2032 and this grant has given us the opportunity to start changing over to electric vehicles now, allowing us to make the changes in stages over the coming years.
Investment in new car fleet and behaviour changes by our staff group helped bring our emissions down by over 8% in our most recent figures, and this ongoing investment will help reduce the Park Authority’s impact on the environment even further.
“Most staff were able to receive training on the vehicles before lockdown and the cars have been utilised by staff who have been volunteering; delivering shopping and medical collections to vulnerable members of the local communities.”
As well as electric cars the CNPA are also involved in the Active Cairngorms E-bikes (ACE) project which is working in the Badenoch and Strathspey area. The project aims to make cycling, for everyday journeys and leisure, more accessible by providing a fleet of e-bikes that can be borrowed by referred members of the community – free of charge.
Bridget Trussell, LEADER Manager at the CNPA explains, “The ACE project will target those living in the most disadvantaged areas of Badenoch and Strathspey or those living with health conditions. Participants will be referred into the programme by local GPs or other health practitioners and we hope those using the bikes will experience an increase in health and mobility. We also hope that it will enable people to feel less isolated and help them to get out into the community again.”
The project is being fully funded through the Cairngorms LEADER 2014-2020 programme, and is being co-ordinated by Cairngorms Trust and UK Cycling Scotland with support from the CNPA.
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Alert
Latest from the National Park
Ongoing wildfire near Ryvoan Bothy
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire south of Aviemore.
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Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.