Smarter Travel Sherford

The goal of the Sherford Consortium is to reduce the impact of travel and transport on the environment – and make life easier and healthier for residents. The intention is to encourage environmentally friendly and active ways to get around by walking, cycling, car-sharing and using public transport.

Part of the vision for Sherford has always been to create a sustainable town that is easy to walk and cycle around, enabling residents to travel from their homes to school, shops and work. These are also great ways to meet neighbours, exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

There are many ways to travel and reach the wider area too, opening up a world of possibility. Sherford is near an array of bustling local villages, shopping areas and libraries in Plymstock and Plympton, Plymouth’s thriving City Centre and historic Barbican, some of the best beaches in the UK, picturesque countryside and miles of coastal paths.

Walking

Healthy, environmentally friendly and free, walking is the perfect way to get where you need to go, get more exercise, and boost your mental health and wellbeing.

Take a stroll through King George V playing fields, or along Vinery Lane and Sherford Road to get to Elburton village or walk further to reach the shops and library at Plymstock Broadway. Walking for exercise; loop around the Country Park and take in the views.

For those seeking to track their walking activity, try the free Active 10 app by Public Health England that records your brisk walking activity and tells you the benefits of regular exercise. In addition, the Plymouth Trails app features self-guided walking trails throughout Plymouth, allowing you to explore the city on foot and through new eyes.

Cycling

Hopping on a bike is a great way to get about and provides an excellent alternative to walking by making more places accessible in less time. It is also a nice way for the whole family to enjoy exercising together. There are local hire services if you just fancy borrowing a bike.

The new cycle link through King George V playing fields allows convenient and easy cycle trips into Elburton. National Trust property and park, Saltram, is nearby and offers a family-friendly cycle trail and fun pump track for younger bike users.

To plan a journey or if you want to see cycle maps in greater detail, visit cyclestreets.net and Sustrans.org. These websites allow you to plan journeys suitable to all levels of cycling ability.

Public transport

Using public transport helps to reduce congestion and carbon emissions. Substituting a car journey for one by bus just once a week can help to alleviate congestion and parking pressure.

Bus service 2 / 2A travels through Sherford approximately every 30 minutes, linking Sherford to Mount Batten, Plymstock, City Centre, Railway Station and Saltash. Stagecoach operates the service and your closest bus stops are located on Hercules Road, near to Aries Lane.

To download a copy of the most up to date bus timetable from these stops, visit stagecoachbus.com

Car sharing

Teaming up to share a car journey cuts cost and congestion, and Car Share Devon makes this easy. You can register for free, search online for others going your way, offer or seek a lift, and then share the cost of fuel and parking.

Or join Sherford’s social media channels – including the Smarter Travel Sherford Facebook group – to see who might be able and willing to share car journeys with you.

Train travel

The closest and main train station is Plymouth Railway Station. Ivybridge is another option, which is easy to reach from the A38, but as a local train station, not all trains stop there.

Plymouth Railway Station offers regular services to London Paddington, Bristol, Birmingham and as far as Edinburgh. Bus route 2/2A provides a regular service between Sherford and the station. For those that wish to drive or cycle, there are parking spaces at the station.

More information about the facilities at Plymouth Railway Station can be found at gwr.com

Find out more

Join the Smarter Travel Sherford Facebook group for updates, suggestions on sustainable travel options, local fitness promotions and more. Make connections with neighbours and those in the local area to share ideas and get recommendations for travelling locally with ease, sharing lifts, exercising together, and fun ways to get out and about at Sherford.

Have a look at other local resources that can help you get around easily. Travel Devon provides a range of suggestions and recommendations for getting out and about in the wider area, in a sustainable way.

Plymotion is a scheme that aims to make it easier for you to get around Plymouth by bike, on foot and by bus. It hosts public events, workplace and school initiatives to promote sustainable travel.