Commuter Challenge

However, James's efforts won't be simply along the lines of 'bus, bike and car' - oh no... James is trying some more unusual methods of getting from A to B.

His list includes: cycling, walking, electric car, heelies (trainers with wheels), segway (a kind of electric scooter) and powerisers (stilts with springs)!

You can follow James's progress each weekday on BBC Radio Derby - listen to Andy Whittaker's Breakfast Show for regular updates (use the link on the right) and see more on BBC East Midlands Today each evening from 6.30 pm.

Day 3 – Walking to work

Journey Time – 35 minutes

Journey Cost – Negligible – just the wear on my shoes!

This morning must have been the coldest so far – so it was coat and gloves on. After setting off I wished I'd done a better job of drying my hair, or put a hat on!

The start of the journey was made awkward by vehicles parked on the pavement, so I had to be quite careful to avoid stepping in the path of a bus. This got me quite annoyed, and I felt powerless to do anything about it! My first pedestrian trial!

I'd then adjusted to the cold and carried on up Haslams Lane, everything was beautifully still and quiet… until the mobile rang, so I answered it, something I couldn't have done the day before. So on the phone, I started the incline, which was nice and easy on foot! After putting the phone down, it became apparent I was actually enjoying myself! It was great to be out on a still, quiet crisp morning.

My route took me up Mile-Ash Lane, then I took a left, and ended up emerging at the Broadway Roundabout from Darley Park Drive. With no break in the traffic, my second pedestrian 'trial' took place – how do I get across the road at such a busy junction?

Being such an impatient person I decided not to wait the minute or so, oh no! I put my arm out, one foot on the road, and the driver of a red Ford Ka, kindly took the hint and let me across! Probably not the safest way, but if I'd waited much longer I would have got annoyed!

Thankfully, Broadway was tranquil and I arrived at work, feeling relaxed, alert and generally good! It was great to use the footbridge, and take such a big short cut, over walking all the way round to the main entrance.

In conclusion walking was not bad, and it gave me a lot of time to look around and see things I wouldn't normally see.

However, I wouldn't have liked to have gone much further due to the time factor, and the knowledge I would have to walk back at the end of a busy day at work!