MORE than 1,000 people have now signed up to a car sharing scheme in Peterborough, following a successful promotional campaign.

People registered with the Carsharepeterborough.com website were encouraged to get their friends to sign up too and, in return, were entered into a prize draw.

Andrew Cameron, who car shares from Cambridge to Peterborough, won the prize draw and was presented with a hamper of food by a member of Peterborough City Council’s Travelchoice team.

The 1,000th person to register with Carsharepeterborough.com, Nick Randall, won a satellite navigation system.

Peterborough City Council’s cabinet member for environment Wayne Fitzgerald said: “I am delighted that we have exceeded the 1,000 member mark and would like to congratulate the Travelchoice team for their hard work in reaching this goal.

“Reducing the number of single-occupant car journeys made in the city is a key Travelchoice goal, and encouraging car sharing is one of the many ways we can do this.”

Carsharepeterborough.com was launched in April 2005 to allow users to search for people making similar journeys to share with. It is free and easy to use and helps members save money, meet new friends and reduces pollution and traffic on the roads.

The website, which also includes advice about personal safety, etiquette and charging, is part of the Liftshare.com database and therefore members can search for journey sharing to any UK destination.

Travelchoice team manager Nicola Francis said: “Car sharing really is very simple and can greatly reduce fuel and parking costs.

“During the Recommend-A-Friend promotion, staff visited organisations across the city, including Peterborough Regional College, Bauer Media and Thorpe Wood Business Park, to encourage people to sign up and give car sharing a go. I am really pleased that the hard work paid off.”

Carsharepeterborough.com also provides a BUDI scheme where members can search for travel companions for their journey whether they walk, cycle or get a taxi.

For more information on car sharing, visit www.carsharepeterborough.com