ENVIRONMENTAL and Sustainable Transport (EAST) recently named the North York Moors National Park Authority runner-up in the ‘environmental and sustainable fleet’ category.

The panel of 10 judges was said to be impressed by achievements including the introduction of green vehicles across its entire fleet, which comprises five cars and a delivery van powered by LPG, along with vans and Land Rovers powered by bio-diesel.

Staff have also been successfully encouraged to car-share and travel by bus or bike through the introduction of an incentive scheme.

The authority plans to further improve its green credentials by replacing existing LPG pool cars with bio-diesel Vauxhall Corsas and dual-fuel electric/petrol Honda Civic IMAs.

It is also investigating the possibility of running an electric car powered solely by green electricity.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the National Park Authority, said: ‘We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised.’

National Park fact file

The North York Moors NPA spans from Scarborough to Saltburn and from Whitby to Osmotherley

It has the largest expanse of heather moorland in England and Wales

Woodland covers 22% of the park, coastline spans for 26 miles and there are 1,408 miles of public right way on the park

The amount of traffic in the national park has increased considerably over recent years. It has been estimated that over the next 20 to 30 years traffic on the roads of the North York Moors could quadruple

The number of visitor days in the NPA is estimated to be a minimum of 7.9 million per year. Around 92% of visitor days in the park are undertaken using private vehicles. Levels of traffic are now viewed by local people as one of the greatest threats to the special qualities of the area Traffic speed along some roads is a particular concern