If you find yourself stranded by another train strike, with baggage too heavy for the bus, or needing to reach a destination beyond transport links, then an innovative green scheme coming to Sutton this September could just be the

solution.

Car Clubs are to be set up across the borough offering a greener alternative to the often costly, troubled and pollution-building business of running your own.

Stations in Sutton and Wallington each with at least two cars will house the pilot scheme, but the council is expecting the project to grow much bigger with time. If demand is high, more car pools could spring up in other parts of the borough.

Drivers wishing to join would pay an initial membership fee and in return would be given a smart card allowing them access to the vehicles.

A reservation would then be made by telephone giving as little as 15 minutes notice. Exact details about collecting the cars have not yet been confirmed, but the car could be borrowed for as long as it was needed. A bill charging the driver for mileage and time would be sent out afterwards but as yet, prices have not been announced.

Outlined plans for the first phase approved at this weeks strategy committee meeting reveal Gibson Road car park is considered the most appropriate town centre location, and planners already have their sights on car parks in Lenham Road and Brighton Road.

But the council has yet to name possible sites in Wallington until talks with the Wallington Town Centre Management Group have begun, but it has hinted at having smaller car pools at a number of car parks instead of than one large one.

BedZED, the environmental development in Hackbridge, will have a four-car pool once building work has finished and residents are in place.

In the second phase, the focus will turn to setting up pools within the Beddington and Kimpton Strategic Industrial Area with the backing of employers and public transport providers.

The launch of the scheme has been scheduled for European Car Free Day on September 22, and appropriately it is a project tried and tested on the other side of the channel.

The EU-funded MOSES

(Mobility Services for Urban Sustainability) project was led by Bremen city authority and has partners in Sweden, Italy and Belgium.

The council will match fund £48,000 stumped up by MOSES, expected to cover the costs for four years.

This particular project will be led by Southwark Council, which has recently sealed a deal with Avis Car and Van Rental.

A spokesman for Southwark was playing her cards close to her chest, saying a statement about the launch will be

released next week.

Sutton Council, meanwhile, is excited about the project.

This should encourage

people not to buy cars. It will reduce traffic and offer a

convenient service, said a spokesman.

By.Marie Jackson