Low Carbon: Bike store launched at The Park Primary School in Runcorn

By Sarah Griffiths on May 28, 09 10:46 AM in News

A CYCLE storage facility has been launched at a Runcorn primary school.

More than 40 pupils at The Park Primary School had told teachers they would be more inclined to ride bikes to school if a proper place to keep them safe and dry was made available.

The school successfully applied for funds from Sustrans, a sustainable transport charity, and Cycling England, to help to build the facility.

The scheme was funded in part by Sustran's Links to Schools scheme, which applies for Cycling England grants of up to £10,000 for storage or up to half of the cost.

The Government wants to cut the number of school trips in private cars, in order to slash pollution and congestion, and boost health.

The school received support from Halton Borough Council's School Travel Plan (STP), which aims to improve children's safety on the school run.

The STP tries to cut unnecessary journeys and make travelling by bike, on foot or by bus, safer.

The Park qualified because it showed that it promoted cycling, could match the funds it was applying for, and had evidence that children would cycle to school if the facility was to be built.

Cllr Rob Polhill, Halton Borough Council's executive board member for transport, said: "This is a perfect example of a project which encourages pupils to keep fit and helps de-congest our roads of traffic.

"They can bring their bikes to school in the knowledge they will be safety stored until its time to go home."

The picture shows Cllr Ellen Cargill opening the new bike shed watched by Park Primary School pupils and School Travel Plan Officer Terri Wilson.

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