Transition in Action: Totnes Rickshaw Company
Totnes residents and visitors now have the opportunity to avoid the uphill walk from the River Dart through Fore Street into High Street by taking a ride in what must be one of the most eco friendly vehicles in Britain today. Two Indian rickshaws have been imported. Their engines have been converted in the UK to run on bio fuel produced from the recycling of locally collected waste cooking oil. The rickshaws are now becoming a familiar sight around town, they drop people at the Rotherfold in the ancient Narrows; visitors can then enjoy a leisurely downhill stroll through Totnes’ High Street and Fore Street. A further development has been the novelty interest generated in hiring the rickshaws for weddings and other special events and occasions.
The vehicles are very fuel-efficient. They can achieve 80 kilometres to the litre with a top speed of 50 km per hour. (Way in excess of what will actually be needed!). The project was the brainchild of local businessman Pete Ryeland. It was initially supported by means of interest free loans from local traders who are now the directors/shareholders of the company. Additionally, following registration of the Company as a CIC (Community Interest Company), grant assistance from South Hams District Council has been secured.
A number of local restaurants, fast food outlets and businesses throughout Totnes have already been signed up to provide the used cooking oil. They are now on the way to expanding the waste oil bio-fuel business with a new company, Totnes Bio-fuel Co. being set up at Sharpham to supply not only the Rickshaws, but also the farm vehicles on Sharpham Estate and eventually to supply community transport and the local public with bio-fuel.
Totnes Rickshaw Company and Bio-Fuels Totnes plan to use the profits from their enterprises for the benefit of the local community – starting with the regeneration of the Rotherfold area.
For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/yewrptx
Rickshaws do weddings (© Totnes Rickshaw Company CIC)
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