A new coordinated network of five 'active travel hubs' across the Tees Valley will help more people find healthy, affordable ways to travel without impacting the environment.
We are excited to announce we’re running a new network of five active travel hubs across the Tees Valley.
It’s part of our work to get more people walking, using a mobility aid (wheeling) or cycling short journeys across the region.
Our team in the North will run the hubs for the Tees Valley Combined Authority in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees.
The Hubs will hold activities to help build up people’s confidence on a bike, free bike parking, information on local walking and cycling routes, bike maintenance, refurbishing and sale of affordable bikes.
walking and cycling on prescription
Walking, cycling and wheeling will also be available on social prescription from the Stockton Hub.
The project will take referrals from a wide variety of partners to provide services for common health conditions and measure the benefits of people walking, wheeling and cycling.
Tees Valley has some of the highest levels of physical inactivity in the UK, with around 35% of residents doing no physical activity at all.
This can lead to a wide range of health issues, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
73% of Tees Valley adults overweight or obese
Latest NHS figures show that 73% of Tees Valley adults are overweight or obese compared to a national average of 64%.
Many people also have poor transport facilities.
Over a quarter of people (27%) don’t have access to a car (compared to an 18% average), and may not be able to afford public transport.
Active travel – walking, using a mobility aid (wheeling), and cycling - can provide an easy and low-cost way to introduce physical activity into daily routines and help tackle health and transport issues.
Helping more people access physical activity
Rosslyn Colderley, our Director in the North of England said:
"We’re very excited to be working with Tees Valley Combined Authority on this new coordinated network of active travel hubs.
"They will help more people access physical activity and cheaper transport across the region.
“We know from our work in Stockton that many people would like to try walking, wheeling or cycling.
"But they need a boost of training or information to help build up confidence or to find out good local routes where they can feel safe.
“We’re delighted to be able to expand this across five sites and link to developing walking and cycling networks.
"The hubs will run a programme of inclusive walks, rides and training courses, as well as access to free or low-cost bikes and bike parking.
"In Stockton, some of this will be prescribed by doctors as part of a healthcare package.”
Close to walking and cycling routes
The hubs will be located close to key walking and cycling routes being developed as part of the Tees Valley Combined Authority’s £150 million cycling and walking investment plan.
This includes Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough and Woodland Road in Darlington.
These also link to existing routes on the National Cycle Network.
We opened the UK’s first active travel hub in Stockton in 2010.
Since then, the Hub has helped thousands of people get more confident walking or cycling local journeys.
Find out more about Tees Valley Active Travel Hubs.
Take a look at our work to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle across England.
