Lets go North challenge on Geovation

How can we improve transport in Britain
1. Idea Summary (in a nutshell)
Focussing on the London Olympic Games 2012 and sustainable tourism, travel from the Olympic Stadium in London to the most northerly point on the UK mainland. Users have to prove their route through some of the most remote and rural parts of England and Scotland, through Northampton, Hull, Newcastle, Lothian, Aberdeenshire, Moray, East Sutherland to Caithness. Users would be able to calculate their carbon footprint on line. Facilities in each area would be highlighted - eg walking, cycling etc.

2. How would this work? Users would log their details through Google Latitude, and a dedicated web page. Transport tickets would be presented and examined at the organising body at Dunnet Head and an overall prize given. The organisers would be able to track participants on line, so a two way communication would be possible.

3. Please explain how your idea could have the potential to improve transport in Britain? By highlighting that such a journey is possible, and feedback any bottle necks and difficulties in timetabling en route.

4. What practical steps are required to realise your idea? Dedicated web site build, identification of facilities in each area, feedback mechanism.

5. Stage of progress (Idea/Work in progress/Complete) :

We have built a blog which incorporates Open Data and are working through the route.

https://www.geovation.org.uk/challenge/

The Virtual Trail focusses on sustainable tourism

The principles of sustainable tourism can be seen at the Global Development Research centre - see http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/eco-sust.html

Getting to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the UK mainland by public transport

The Virtual Trail

The virtual trail goes through some of the remote and beautiful areas of England and Scotland - keep an eye on this blog for updates.

Focussing on walking, fishing, and outdoor activities, businesses in each area will be able to buy into the trail.

London Olympic Stadium to Northampton

London Olympic Stadium is under construction - you can keep track by visiting this blog. You will see some great places to walk, fish, eat out and stay as this blog develops, meanwhile see the basic route from Marshgate Lane, London to the information centre in Northampton.

The end of the virtual trail

Watch this blog for focus on Lets Go North - it can be from anywhere, but we are focussing on the Olympic Stadium in London. The challenge is to travel from by public transport to Dunnet Head by public transport. See our map

Calculating your carbon footprint

Lets Go North - to the most northerly point of the UK mainland

Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of the UK mainland - further north than Moscow but more easily accessible, it has been dubbed "Caithness in miniature". You can see more about Dunnet Head. The challenge is to get to Dunnet Head from the Olympic Stadium in London to Dunnet Head via some of the most remote and rural areas of the UK by bus, train, on horseback, cycling or on foot. The route will be defined by us, so keep an eye on this blog for updates! Our clever gadget will allow you to measure your carbon footprint en route or before you set off!