MORE hikers, cyclists, horse riders and picnickers are using public transport to travel around the South Downs.

A new campaign will encourage even more people to follow the trend and have an adventure by bus or train in the South Downs National Park this year.

The South Downs National Park attracts some 46 million day visits every year and research suggests that car use dropped by five per cent from 2014-15.

In the meantime travel by train, cycling, walking and coach tour all increased. Figures come from the South Downs National Park Authority Visitor Survey 2015 published in January this year.

SDNPA chief execuitve Trevor Beattie said: “As one of the easiest national parks to explore without a car we want to encourage more people to get outside and have an adventure that starts from train stations and bus stops.

“Already visitors are beginning to see their journey as part of the adventure – we know small children love taking the bus or train, while adults can relax and watch the scenery unfold instead of having to watch the road or worry about where to park the car.”

Although the South Downs park’s HQ is in Midhurst, which has no railway station, it says it works closely with community rail partnerships to promote train travel.

Sussex Community Rail Partnership}s Samantha Lear, who helps promote local rail travel across the county, said: “You might be surprised by how much of the South Downs you can reach by train. Our line guides for the entire network are ready to help people plan their next adventure.”

The NPA?research comprised 1,018 visitor groups made up of 3,139 individuals. Results showed although car use remained the main mode of transport it had dropped from 81 per cent to 76 per cent.

Meanwhile train use increased from three to five per cent, cycle use increased from three to four per cent, foot increased from two to four per cent and coach tour increased from one to four per cent.

• You can find information on bus and train services at www.southdowns.gov.uk.