New train station nameplates greet passengers to the New Forest National Park

New nameplates have been put up at rail stations to greet train passengers arriving at New Forest National Park gateway stations.
 
LYMINGTON, U.K. - April 23, 2013 - PRLog -- The signs have been installed at five stations by the New Forest National Park Authority to welcome visitors and residents, and to promote the area’s National Park status.  

The ‘Gateway to the New Forest National Park’ signs can be seen at Brockenhurst, Beaulieu Road, Ashurst, New Milton and Sway rail stations.  

The New Forest Tour is also promoted on many of the nameplates. The award winning open top bus experience connects with rail stations, making it easy for people to travel to and around the National Park without their car.  

The nameplates have been funded by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, a £3.8m grant awarded to Hampshire County Council, the New Forest National Park and South Downs National Park to develop sustainable transport and reduce the impact of traffic in the two National Parks.

Nat Taplin, sustainable transport officer at the National Park Authority, said: ‘These new nameplates will remind visitors that they have arrived in a special place. The nameplates highlight onward travel options such as the New Forest Tour and provide an important link in our overall vision to provide an integrated green transport network.’

The introduction of the nameplates coincides with the start of a third New Forest Tour route, to be launched on 29 June. Passengers can hop on and off where they like, and bring their bikes. All Tours are equipped with a fascinating audio commentary which provide an insight into the rich history of the New Forest, and point out things to see and do along the routes.  

Recent figures showed the existing red and green routes of the Tour saved an estimated 147,000 private car miles, and contributed an estimated £500,000 boost to the local economy each year.

All routes run every hour daily from 29 June to 15 September.

For more information visit

www.thenewforesttour.info

facebook.com/newforesttour

twitter.com @newforesttour

Notes to picture editors:

Please find attached photos of the new ‘Gateway to the New Forest National Park’ nameplates at Brockenhurst train station and of the open top New Forest Tour.

About the New Forest Tour

In 2012 the New Forest Tour won a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the Best Responsible Transport category at the Virgin Holiday Responsible Tourism Awards.

The New Forest Tour is delivered as a partnership between operators Go South Coast and the New Forest National Park Authority and follows three routes known as red, green and blue.

■ Green Route: serving Lymington, Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens, Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst

■ Red Route: serving Burley, Ringwood, Fordingbridge, Sandy Balls, Ashurst and Lyndhurst

■ Blue Route: serving Brockenhurst, Lymington, Milford-on-sea, Barton-on-sea, New Milton, Bashley, Thorney Hill and Burley.

The New Forest Tour connects with a number of train stations which are just 90 minutes direct from London Waterloo on the Weymouth line.

South West Trains serves Brockenhurst with connections from London Waterloo, Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

Cross Country Services connects the New Forest with Reading, Oxford, Birmingham and all points further north.

New Forest Tour customers can also enjoy free bus travel to and from Salisbury, Southampton, Bournemouth and Hythe. Simply buy your New Forest Tour ticket on scheduled bus services leaving these locations.

About the New Forest National Park Authority

Protect - Enjoy - Prosper

The New Forest National Park Authority’s statutory purposes are to:

■ Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect

■ Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.

We also have a duty to:

■ Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.

The New Forest National Park was designated in March 2005. Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free. Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

Visit www.newforestnpa.gov.uk to find out more.

Media Contacts:

Sion Donovan, Communications Officer, New Forest National Park Authority

Tel: 01590 646639

Email: sion.donovan@newforestnpa.gov.uk
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