Pupils use pedal power to mark car free day

To celebrate the success of a School Travel Plan (STP) initiative, and to mark 'International Car Free Day', the mayoress of Newton Aycliffe and the director of education were invited to Woodham Community Technology College where cyclists demonstrated their 'pedal power'.  

Durham County Council has been working in partnership with schools to develop personalised STPs via a current initiative. As a result of capital grant funding from the DfT and DfES (Department for Education and Skills), schools on the programme have been able to review their existing travel arrangements and look to improve routes from home to school.

School travel planning encourages fewer parents to use the car to get their children to school, thereby easing congestion outside the school gate and helping to reduce air pollution - and promoting physical exercise and a healthier lifestyle.

The students used their bikes to encircle the invited dignitaries and their cars 'red Indian' style - and then refused to allow them escape to their next appointments until they were good and ready!

Woodham's STP highlighted the need for a cycle park on the school site as the school links up with some of the numerous cycle lanes around the town of Newton Aycliffe. The sheltered cycle park caters for up to 50 bikes and demand has been so great that the STP team at County Hall has received a request from the head teacher, Steve Harkness, for more provision.

"Since completing our STP and having the cycle park installed we are now beginning to see a real difference in how the students are choosing to travel to school," Mr Harkness said.

For further information contact Noreen Youll, Noreen.Youll@durham.gov.uk.