INVESTMENT in alternative transport solutions is necessary to reach net zero, according to Copeland's MP.

Transport Minister Trudy Harrison has said that work is needed to ensure rural communities are not left behind in the green industrial revolution.

She said that an increase in public transport usage can reduce the carbon emissions generated by mobility but some areas are not as connected as they could be.

"Living in a rural area I understand the numbers challenge of being able to operate a transport system. Also realising we have a very good train system but too many communities are located too far away from the train station to make it an easy walk."

"Connecting all communities to the arterial train routes is something I'm working with Stagecoach and National Rail on."

Mrs Harrison said a solution to connectivity issues in Cumbria could be: a "demand responsive service" which provides transport to the nearest train station.

"A demand responsive service that tallies with the train times seems to be a common sense solution but it hasn't either been though of or made available yet."

"We're looking at other areas in the country where this kind of innovation is already happening and looking at how we can make it work in West Cumbria."

Mrs Harrison acknowledged the important role electric vehicles have to play in reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, explaining that one in five new cars last month had a plug attached.

But she said: "The reality is not everybody will be able to own a car or drive a car. It shouldn't be any barrier if you don't."

Speaking to business, technology and transport bosses at an event from CoMotion in California, Mrs Harrison set out a future vision of LA as a sustainable low-carbon city.

In the transport minister's vision of LA in 10 years time: pedestrians "use a dedicated travel app with a range of options each outlining their own carbon footprint, accessibility score, cost and duration. At our fingertips we have up to date live information about train times, buses car share availability, even e-bikes and e-scooters if you're feeling adventurous.

"And I know we're in the land of Hollywood but this isn't the stuff of science-fiction some of it, like electric buses on the G-line is already here, but it is all possible, I believe, within a decade."