THIRTY-THREE more cars have been made available to Waltham Forest residents through the area's car club initiative.

Residents with a driving licence can hire cars short term, either for a couple of hours or for a full day, giving them freedom to travel, without the expenses associated with owning a car outright.

The council authorised the car clubs and helped to choose appropriate street locations for the schemes.

The two car clubs, run by Enterprise and Ubeeqo, offer an alternative to owning a car and are said to reduce the car ownership in areas where they are available.

The scheme is designed to encourage use of public transport.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Waltham Forest has got a great transport network including more than 30 bus routes, ten train stations and four Tube stations, as well as increasing cycling and walking routes. For many of our residents it does not make sense to own a car, but some have told us that they would like to have access to four wheels as, and when, they need it.

“We have listened to our residents and car clubs like these are in line with our ambition to improve air quality, encourage more sustainable and active modes of transport while reducing congestion on our streets.”

The 33 new vehicles will complement the 47 other fixed car club vehicles and more than 100 flexible car club vehicles already operating in the borough.

Last year the council consulted with residents about adding an extra 50 fixed car club bays on residential streets. Where residents had concerns plans at 11 locations were cancelled, and a further ten bays, which received a mixed response from residents, are being reconsidered later this year.