Sustrans news releases

Information for journalists

Sustrans — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:19:39 +0000

What we do

You probably already know we're the charity behind the National Cycle Network, but the name Sustrans stands for much more. We are pioneers in giving youngsters safe and healthy travel options through our Safe Routes to Schools, our Active Travel team work with the health sector to encourage more walking and cycling and our Travel Smart pilot projects are already persuading people to look at alternative ways of getting from A to B. We also have a major public art project - Art and The Travelling Landscape - curating the UK's largest open-air art gallery with practical and decorative works on many of our routes. And our team of around 2,400 Volunteer Rangers look after the Network.

Sustrans' work with central and local government brings us closer to the transport issues that affect our daily lives, from the health and safety of travel choices to the practical function of our Network of cycle routes.

What we can offer

Our colleagues have expertise ranging from engineering to environmental education. We also have national and regional offices around the UK and the Press Office Team can put you in touch with the appropriate contact whether you are working on a national, regional or local story. If you are looking for photographs to illustrate your piece we have an electronic library of over 8,000 high-quality cycling and walking-related images.

Your contacts in the Press Office are:

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison: 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson: 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms: 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page: 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum: 0117 915 0127

Photographer/photo librarian - Jon Bewley (Mon/Wed/Thu), Chandra Prasad (Tue/Fri): 0117 915 0120

General Press Office: 0117 927 7555 or email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of hours media enquiries: 07802 986728 (mobile)

ISDN Line available

Please email press@sustrans.org.uk if you would like to join the press office mailing list.

National transport conference celebrates DIY Streets success

Sustrans — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:37:08 +0000

Issued on: Thursday 11 March, 2010

Slower traffic speeds, quieter streets and more attractive neighbourhoods are just some of the results from a pilot scheme being celebrated today (11 March) at a Bristol-based conference held by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans.

The conference has reviewed the work and results of Sustrans' DIY Streets pilot projects carried out in London, South Wales, Coventry, Manchester, Sheffield, Torquay and Oxford.

Launched in 2007, the 11 pilot projects have encouraged communities in these areas to re-design their own streets affordably to make them safer, cleaner and more people-friendly. The scheme follows the successes of home zones and aims to create more attractive spaces at a lower cost and with communities driving the process.

Sustrans has gathered interim results* from six of the 11 streets through a residents' survey to determine the success of the scheme. 69% of residents agree that their street is greener and more attractive following the project and 76% feel there has been a reduction in the amount of traffic using their street.

Over half the residents surveyed also feel cars are moving slower past their homes and 43% believe their street is now a safer environment in which children can play. This result has increased significantly from 8% of residents before the project was carried out.

Residents involved in the projects include Adrian Holliday who lives in Hackney and is part of the Clapton Terrace Residents' Association. Commenting on the success of the project on his street, Adrian said: "There has been a real sense of enthusiasm among all residents in the neighbourhood and we have been delighted to see such improvements made to the safety and overall look of our street.

"The volume of trolley bins and rubbish on Clapton Terrace was the biggest problem for all residents. Through the project, we replaced 53 trolley bins with a few communal rubbish bins which made a huge difference to the appearance of our street."

Alexandra Allen, Project Director at Sustrans, said: "The whole team is really encouraged by such positive interim results. One of the main objectives of the scheme was to test whether we could achieve many of the benefits of home zones but in a cost-effective way. One of the key aspects we kept from home zones was having residents at the centre of the process.

"These results show us that residents are responding to the project in the same way as communities did to home zones, only less money has been spent in the re-design of urban areas through DIY Streets."

Peter Lipman, Policy Director at Sustrans and keynote speaker at the conference, said: "The evaluation results will help Sustrans shape the next steps ahead for achieving its vision of creating safer and more attractive streets in communities across the UK. Safer streets mean a greater sense of community engagement, more children enjoying play activities outside, and better walking and cycling conditions in local areas."

The Sustrans scheme has been part-funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, local authorities and housing associations along with additional funding from Transport For London for projects carried out in the Capital.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

DIY Streets is helping residents to re-design their own streets affordably, putting people at their heart, making them safer and more attractive places to live. The project aims to replicate the positive successes of home zones, creating more peaceful spaces where kids can play and neighbours can chat, at a lower cost and with communities driving the process. Eleven streets are participating in the three-year pilot which is part-funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK's transport challenges.

This year Sustrans ismarking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network.On9 September 1995, an award from theMillennium Commissionenabled Sustrans to embark on thefirst 2,500 miles ofa 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. TheNetwork now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.

Sustrans is calling on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020. For more information and to download a copy of the call to action visit http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/call-to-action-for-2020

* 301 properties from the six DIY Streets were surveyed. Of the 301 properties, 138 responded before and 105 responded after the projects had been carried out.

Work beings on Bath Two Tunnels route at famous Devonshire tunnel

Sustrans — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:29:22 +0000

Issued on: Monday 8 March, 2010

Photocall at: Devonshire Tunnel - northern portal - at the Southern end of Linear park, towards Bloomfield Road, just below Hensley Road.

When: Monday 8 March, 2010 at 4pm

Attending: Sustrans - Malcolm Shepherd CEO, Patrick Tully Senior Engineer. Two Tunnels Group - former councillor Gitte Dawson, Frank Tompson and other members. Bath & N.E Somerset Council - Cllrs Roger Symonds and Neil Butters. Plus local supporters of the scheme including local children. Interviews will be available on site with all parties. Print, radio and TV welcome.

Four years since its inception, the Bath Two Tunnels scheme - which will open up the Combe Down and Devonshire Tunnels as part of a walking and cycling route from Midford into Bath - finally starts construction this Monday. Contractors will begin work to excavate and reopen the Devonshire Tunnel's northern portal and create links on both sides. The scheme has been championed by the community-led 'Two Tunnels Group', sustainable transport charity Sustrans, and Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Malcolm Shepherd, CEO of Sustrans, said, "After all the support and the years of campaigning, we finally get to see the diggers on site and this amazing route through these tunnels will become a reality that anyone can use. We want to help people make more local journeys by foot or bike and this route will show that by putting a good, safe, accessible route in place, we can get more people travelling sustainably everyday."

Councillor Charles Gerrish, Bath & North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Customer Services, said, "Walking and cycling will be made more attractive by this project and Bath & North East Somerset Council is pleased to be financially supporting it. The community support for this scheme is extensive and many people contacted me to lobby for the Council funding. It is excellent news that work is starting. This is a positive move forward for the promotion of sustainable transport."

Gitte Dawson, who has been chairing the Two Tunnels Steering Group which brings Council, Sustrans and the Two Tunnels Group together in implementing this scheme, said, "I am excited that we are finally putting the first spade in the ground! Lots of people have done a great deal of campaigning, fundraising, planning and publicising to get to this point. I look forward to cycling through the tunnels myself next year."

The Two Tunnels scheme is a £1.9million route that will turn a four-mile stretch of disused railway line into a walking and cycling path linking Bath and Midford. The scheme will renovate the disused Tucking Mill viaduct and open up the two long tunnels, of which one (Combe Down) is over a mile long, connecting the town and countryside for everyday journeys by foot and bike. With overwhelming support from people in and around Bath.

The virtually flat route along the old Somerset and Dorset Railway Line will bring together the communities of Bath, Midford and all the places in between. Walkers and cyclists will experience two illuminated tunnels and a magnificent viaduct along the route that provides an inspiring yet practical link between town and country, with its unique blend of industrial heritage, wildlife and geology.

The route will also link to the successful Colliers Way in the South and the Bath-Bristol cycleway in the West and create a great round-trip cycle opportunity between Bath and Midford, including the path along the Kennet & Avon Canal. The route will also form part of the National Cycle Network linking Route 3 and Route 24. On the 6^th March it is the 44^th anniversary of the closure of the railway line.

The route's grand opening is expected by the end of 2011. The Two Tunnels Greenway is one of many Sustrans schemes across the UK that are using a total of £50m from the Big Lottery Fund, of which this scheme will receive £1m. Bath & North East Somerset Council will be contributing £400,000 to the scheme with the remainder of the funds coming from local fundraising.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

For more information, to attend the photocall or to request interviews, please contact: Emma Page, Sustrans Press Office, Tel 0117 915 0123 / Email: emma.page@sustrans.org.uk

For pictures, please contact Sustrans Picture Library Tel: 0117 915 0120 Email photos@sustrans.org.uk

Press Office Out of office hours - 07802 986728

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 9 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.

There are around 2,500 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.

Sustrans' Connect2 is a UK-wide project that will transform local travel in 79 communities by creating new bridges and crossings to overcome busy roads, rivers and railways, and linking these to networks of walking and cycling routes. As a result millions of people will be able to walk and cycle more for everyday journeys.

Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007.

Connect2 is a £142 million scheme - £50 million from the largest ever single lottery grant - and the remaining millions in match funding for individual projects.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006. Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888, out of hours: 07867 500 572. Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Opportunities for disabled cyclists step up a gear

Sustrans — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:42:59 +0000

Issued on: Tuesday 9 March, 2010

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has teamed up with Parc Bryn Bach in Blaenau Gwent to run a taster day for disabled cyclists to trial a new fleet of specially adapted bikes.

The taster day, taking place on Friday 12 March, will also mark the launch of new weekly cycling sessions for local people of all abilities.

Special guest Jonathan Gribbin, a 2008 Paralympian from Abergavenny, will be attending the event to launch the new bikes and help inspire disabled members of the community to enjoy the benefits of gentle outdoor physical activity.

Robyn Hughes, Project Coordinator at Sustrans, said: "The taster day at Parc Bryn Bach will be a fantastic opportunity for disabled cyclists to test out the new bikes and discover the freedom that cycling can bring.

"Surveys show that physically active people feel happier and more satisfied with life, so the new specially adapted bikes will help disabled people to embrace the great outdoors and boost their general well being through a fun cycle ride.

"Following the event, Sustrans will be running disability cycling sessions at Parc Bryn Bach every Wednesday and Friday between 12.30 and 3pm, with bike hire at £1 each."

Jonathan Gribbin, who was part of the Great British Cycling Team in the 2008 Paralympics and is now Disability Sport Development Officer at Blaenau Gwent Council, said: "Despite having a disability, an individual can still enjoy the benefits of cycling thanks to the facilities available through Sustrans at Parc Bryn Bach.

"The taster session and weekly cycling events will be a great way to meet new people and discover opportunities for making the most of cycling which is such a fun leisure time activity."

Disabled cyclists can test out the specially adapted bikes during a taster session on Friday 12 March from 11am to 3pm. Cycling sessions for all abilities will take place at Parc Bryn Bach every Wednesday and Friday for £1 a bike between 12.30 and 3pm.

The specially-adapted bikes available include double side-by-side tandems, trikes, a wheelchair tandem and a handbike.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk.

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Wales has more than 1,300 miles of National Cycle Network, with a team of around 200 volunteer Rangers who help to maintain the Network across the country.

More walking and cycling in parts of Bristol

Sustrans — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:12:58 +0000

Issued on: Monday 8 March, 2010

Car trips among almost 2,000 residents in the Brislington and Knowle areas of Bristol have been slashed by 11 per cent since April 2009, says sustainable transport charity Sustrans.

Between April and June 2009, almost 2,000 Brislington and Knowle households were offered personalised travel information by Sustrans and partners Socialdata, including details of local walking and cycling routes and public transport services.

Evaluation of the project, known as TravelSmart, revealed that the number of car trips was reduced by 11 per cent, accompanied by a 26 per cent increase in cycling trips, a 14 per cent increase in walking trips and a 13 per cent increase in public transport trips.

Lizzie Thal-Jantzen, Sustrans' Project Officer, said: 'With the right information and support, walking, cycling or getting on a bus or train can become the easiest and quickest ways of getting around, not to mention having positive benefits for people's health.

'We have had a great response from people in Brislington and Knowle. Similar projects in other parts of the country show that people keep up the changes they make to the way they travel long after the project finishes.'

The project was funded by the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) with support from West of England Partnership, and delivered in partnership with Bristol City Council.

The results give a taste of what could be achieved if the project was introduced on a bigger scale. The cost of giving everyone in Bristol this opportunity, for example, would be around £20 per household, a total of just £3.6 million¹ and only a fraction of the £29.9million that is needed to build just one mile of motorway².

Lizzie Thal-Jantzen, continued: 'For most people it's relatively easy to incorporate walking and cycling into everyday travel and Bristol, as the country's first Cycling City is now spending £16 per head to help people cycle more - well above the national average of just under £1 - so it has huge potential to lead the way in active methods of travelling.'

By 2020, Sustrans wants to see the number of journeys less than five miles that are made on foot, by bike and by public transport increase from two out of five, where it currently stands, to four out of five; http://www.sustrans.org.uk/about-sustrans/call-to-action-for-2020

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

Notes

1. Figures derived using the Sustrans' TravelSmart model and the Office of National Statistics Population Estimates 2009 http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/pop0809.pdf The TravelSmart programme - led by Sustrans - is the most widely applied form of personalised travel planning in the UK with projects covering more than 250,000 households since its launch in 2001.

2. The average cost for constructing a mile of motorway is £29.9 million, 30 October, 2006 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/vo061030/text/61030w0008.htm

The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It is helping companies respond to the economic crisis and charts a course for recovery. The RDA is developing or expanding initiatives which include: establishing a Business Loan Fund; coordinating the response to large companies in difficulty; preparing for economic recovery. More information can be found at www.southwestrda.org.uk

As a member of the West of England Partnership, Bristol City Council is working on a range of Travel+ projects to manage congestion and improve the quality of life across the area. These projects will deliver realistic, integrated, sustainable and affordable travel choices for all our communities, helping everyone to travel safely and reliably

New Hub opens to get people in Stockton more active

Sustrans — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:01:10 +0000

Issued on: Monday 8 March, 2010

More people in Stockton will be able to walk and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle thanks to the opening of a new local facility, The Hub.

Stockton Active Travel will open The Hub on Tuesday 16 March to support walking and cycling across the town, provide maintenance facilities and offer advice to help local people travel more actively.

The Lottery-funded project has been set up by sustainable transport charity Sustrans in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the local Primary Care Trust. The Hub will be officially opened by Sustrans' Chief Executive, Malcolm Shepherd, along with Ruth Hill from the Primary Care Trust and Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport.

Sustrans Manager, Neil Mitchell, said: "The Hub will provide an excellent facility to help the Stockton community to get around in healthy and more environmentally friendly ways.

"People of all ages will be invited to use The Hub as a safe and secure place to park their bicycles for free. The Stockton Active Travel team will also be on hand from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm to offer members of the public advice on walking and cycling routes in the local area including free maps, and there will be a series of cycle maintenance classes on offer. We hope to be running a number of schemes in the future such as a 'bike buddy' scheme as well as a number of guided rides and walks around the Stockton area.

"Walking and cycling are such healthy, convenient and cost-effective forms of travel, and they are the easiest ways to help people achieve the daily recommended 30 minutes of activity to benefit their health."

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "Partnering with Sustrans and the Primary Care Trust, means the Stockton Active Travel Hub will be ideally placed to get more people walking and cycling. Not only will it reduce pollution but will help people lead healthier lives."

Throughout the afternoon of The Hub's official opening, people are invited to visit the facility and be shown around by members of staff and volunteers. The Hub is located in the centre of Stockton on Bridge Road.

For more information on Stockton Active Travel visit www.sustrans.org.uk/activetravel

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

Notes to Editors

Stockton Active Travel is part of a portfolio of projects being delivered by a Consortium of the leading walking cycling and health organisations and funded through the Big Lottery Fund's Wellbeing Programme. The Programme provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve Wellbeing.

The Consortium is led by Sustrans and includes British Cycling, CTC, Cycling England, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, the National Heart Forum, the National Obesity Forum, the Ramblers' Association, Campaign for Better Transport and Walk 21. It is delivering a portfolio of projects that will enable 2 million people nationwide to become more physically active by walking or cycling as part of their daily lives by 2012.

Cycling pupils in Tower Hamlets scoop top London Award

Sustrans — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:55:50 +0000

Issued on: Friday 5 March, 2010

A project to encourage more children to cycle to school has picked up a top accolade at the London Transport Awards.

Sustrans' Bike It project in Tower Hamlets led by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, Tower Hamlets Council and NHS Tower Hamlets, won the Cycling Improvements category at the awards ceremony in west London last night [Thursday 4 March, 2010].

The project - part of the Tower Hamlets Healthy Borough Programme - has worked directly with 21 schools in Tower Hamlets, running events, classroom sessions, and cycle training to encourage pupils onto their bikes for the school journey.

Following the project's launch in 2008, the number of children regularly cycling to school in Tower Hamlets has increased by almost five-fold, from just 3 per cent to almost 14 per cent.

Carl Pittam, Director of Sustrans in London, said: 'The award is well-deserved recognition of the great things this joint project has achieved in Tower Hamlets. We are helping to give children a greater level of independence, to start their day in an active way and hopefully set them up with a healthy habit that they will maintain for life.

'This is also the first time our work with school children has been funded by an NHS Trust and shows what can be achieved when the health and transport sectors actively work together. Currently in London one in six adults and one in five ten to eleven year olds are obese, so projects like ours are an important part of helping to tackle the problem.'

'Bike It' has been supported from the start by Transport for London, whose funding allows trials of the project across a number of London boroughs. This has led to local partnerships between Sustrans, the London boroughs and NHS Trusts helping to extend the benefits of the project to many more school children across London.

Alwen Williams, Chief Executive NHS Tower Hamlets, said:

'This is a great achievement. Our research shows that children in Tower Hamlets participate in less sport or other physical activity of at least 30 minutes duration daily than the average for England. We also know that there are low levels of cycling to school in the borough.

'The Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives in Tower Hamlets strategy identified the need to increase participation in physical activity by children and young people and Bike It was identified and funded as one of several projects to help deliver this objective.'

Councillor Abdal Ullah, Lead Member for Cleaner, Safer, Greener at Tower Hamlets Council, said: 'It's fantastic that our efforts to boost physical activity and help the environment have been recognised at a national level. This comes less than two years before we host the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and this bodes well for the future.'

This award-winning work with schools is just one of Sustrans' projects in Tower Hamlets. The charity is also working with the borough on a new network of walking and cycling routes around Regents Canal to Mile End Park, as well as leading 'Ocean Estate Get Out, Get Active' which will include providing households with personalised travel information about local walking and cycling routes and public transport services.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each

The project receives funding from Cycling England with the support of the Department for Transport, Bike Hub - the cycle industry levy, the Big Lottery Fund's Well-being Programme, the National Assembly for Wales, Transport for London and support from partner local authorities and NHS Primary Care Trusts

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk

Help boost walking and cycling in south Shropshire

Sustrans — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:41:44 +0000

Issued on: Wednesday 3 March, 2010

Sustrans, the charity responsible for the National Cycle Network, is urging people in Shropshire to get involved in helping their local walking and cycling routes. 2010 is particularly special as it marks fifteen years of the National Cycle Network.

Sustrans and the Ludlow Cycling Support Group is holding an open meeting at the Ludlow Conference Centre on Thursday 18 March, from 7pm and all are welcome to come along and find out what being a Sustrans volunteer ranger involves.

There are already active groups of volunteer rangers in Telford, Shrewsbury and north Shropshire that new volunteers can become part of. They help to maintain and promote the National Cycle Network, making sure it is attractive, clean and tidy and well sign-posted for all who use it.

Caring for the Network in this way encourages more people to use it, and walk or cycle for their everyday journeys rather than taking the car, helping to benefit people's health and their local environment.

Mike Dagley, Sustrans' Volunteer Coordinator in Shropshire, said: 'All the people that use the National Cycle Network, whether for their daily commute or weekend activities with the family, are able to enjoy it so much because of the work of our volunteer rangers.

'Being a ranger is such a sociable, rewarding and practical role, which keeps volunteers fit and healthy, whilst caring for their local environment and making it a place that everyone can get pleasure from.

'We are always looking for more people to get involved, so it would be great to welcome some new people to our team.'

The National Cycle Network now covers more than 12,000 miles across the UK, and last year more than a million journeys were made on it every day.

For more information about the Ludlow event or becoming a volunteer ranger, or to find out more about other volunteering opportunities with Sustrans, please contact Mike Dagley on 0161 923 6050 or email mike.dagley@sustrans.org.uk

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

There are around 3,000 volunteers helping with Sustrans' work. Around 2,800 of these are rangers, who help to maintain the National Cycle Network. Rangers work in 210 groups, which are each co-ordinated by a volunteer liaison ranger. Our aim is to have most rangers working together in this way so that they can benefit from each other's experience and skills.

Fourteen local authorities contribute funding to the Ranger Programme (Devon, Cornwall, Kent, North Tyneside, Stoke-on Trent, Northumberland, Gateshead, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Essex, Thurrock, Kirklees, Rochdale, and Dundee,) and have formed partnerships with their local Ranger Groups to promote and support local volunteer activity.

The Ranger Programme is also supported by the Scottish Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the National Lottery.

Plans for two new 'Crab and Winkle' bridges for Whitstable to be unveiled this month

Sustrans — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:32:54 +0000

Issued on: Monday 1 March, 2010

What: Plans for two 'Crab and Winkle' bridges to be unveiled in Whitstable

Where: The Horsebridge Centre, 11 Horsebridge Road, Whitstable CT5 1AF

When: Friday 12 March 12-5pm, Sat 13 March 9am-1pm

The designs for two new bridges for Whitstable will go on display later this month at the Horsebridge Centre so that local people can give their views on them. The proposed bridges will go over Old Bridge Road and over Teynham Road and are being shown to the public before planning permission is sought. The bridges will be part of a newly created route for pedestrians and cyclists between the existing Crab and Winkle Way at All Saints Close and the seafront. At the public exhibition, drawings and plans will be on display and members of the steering group for the project will be available to discuss it.

Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has been working in partnership with Kent County Council, Canterbury City Council and The Crab & Winkle Line Trust to create this high quality route as part of a multi-million pound project which will complete a greenway and promenade along a 12 mile stretch of the Kent coast and will be an extensive walking and cycling scheme which will extend the existing route to Canterbury - the Crab and Winkle Way, complete the circular Viking Coastal Trail and create the coastal route between Whitstable and Reculver - the Oyster Bay Trail. It will also provide a quality traffic free facility for locals to get to work and school in a sustainable way which benefits their health and the environment.

Simon Pratt, Regional Director of Sustrans, said, "This will be the first time people can come and see the new bridge plans so we hope they take this opportunity to come and talk to the project team and give us their feedback. These bridges are for Whitstable so it's important for the local people to see the proposed designs and have a say."

Ruth Goudie, Partnership Officer, Kent Highway Services, said, "We are pleased that this project is moving forward and we hope that as many people as possible will give us their views on the bridges so we can get this route created and people in Whitstable can really start using it."

After the exhibition, the designs will then go on display at Whitstable Library from Monday 15March until the closing date for feedback which is the 26^th March. Original planning permission for these two bridges was given in 2006 but has since expired. At this time Canterbury City Council considered that the construction of these bridges was acceptable in principle, in planning terms. Following detailed surveys and discussions with key stakeholders, the bridge designs have also changed since the 2006 application and will require the submission of a new planning application.

Sustrans is part funding the Whitstable scheme with £500,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The charity won £50m in 'The People's Millions', the UK's largest lottery competition, in 2007 with a national TV vote to create new walking and cycling routes on a national scale showing that communities across the UK support investment in creating these networks for pedestrians and cyclists.

More information about the public consultation is available at kent.gov.uk or for further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping visit: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 9 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day. There are around 2,500 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.

Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007.

Connect2 is a £142 million scheme - £50 million from the largest ever single lottery grant - and the remaining millions in match funding for individual projects.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888, out of hours: 07867 500 572. Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Lowestoft family are travel transformers

Sustrans — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:16:32 +0000

Issued on: Monday 1 March, 2010

The Brooks family from Lowestoft is rethinking the way they make their everyday local journeys after getting involved with TravelSmart Lowestoft.

Last year, Debbie Brooks (44), her husband and three grown-up children participated in TravelSmart Lowestoft - led by sustainable transport charity Sustrans - which offered residents tailor-made travel information and support to help them choose walking, cycling and public transport for local journeys.

Debbie said: 'We are a busy family, so we are on the move a lot but we're keen to use the car less too. My husband cycles to work every day and I walk to work, but I know we could do more, and the advice we have had from TravelSmart will help us make more changes to the way we travel.'

The TravelSmart Lowestoft project ran from autumn 2008 to December 2009, and a full report on changes to travel behaviour in the town will be released later this year. Elsewhere, similar projects have resulted in reductions in car trips of 10 per cent or more, along with increases in levels of walking, cycling and public transport use, and Sustrans expects to see a similar outcome in Lowestoft.

Maeve Tomlinson, Sustrans TravelSmart Lowestoft Project Officer, said: 'From the direct contact we have with families such as the Brooks' we know that many people are willing to choose more active ways of travelling for shorter journeys rather than using the car. All they need is decent information on the services and routes that are available to them. Even just changing a few journeys can have a big impact on the local environment and great benefits for people's health.'

The Brooks household is one of over 20,000 households in the town contacted by TravelSmart Lowestoft. The family registered at www.travelsmartlowestoft.org.uk and were picked as prizewinners of a first-class family rail ticket to London from National Express East Anglia, which they will use to visit to the Tower of London.

TravelSmart Lowestoft was delivered by Sustrans and its partner Socialdata, with support from with Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council. It has also received funding from Big Lottery Fund's Well-being Programme as part of a wider £19.9m grant awarded by BIG to Sustrans' Active Travel Consortium. Travel information can still be downloaded from www.travelsmartlowestoft.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

Notes

Sustrans' TravelSmart programme is the most widely applied form of personal travel planning in the UK with projects covering a total of more than 200,000 households from 2005 to 2009.

The Big Lottery Fund's support for the Active Travel Consortium comes from its £165m Well-being programme, which provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve well-being.

The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004. It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.

Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

£20 solution to multi billion pound transport problem

Sustrans — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:14:37 +0000

Issued on: Monday 1 March 2010

An innovative proposal from sustainable transport charity Sustrans could solve the UK's congestion, health and environment problems for the price of just £20 per household.

As the recession bites and the spending capacity of the public purse is stretched to the limit the charity is calling on UK governments to make smarter use of existing transport budgets to establish a UK-wide travel behaviour change programme. The programme, which has been successfully piloted in selected cities for the past nine years, de-bunks the myth that getting people to change the way they travel is difficult. Its results include reductions in car use by 10-14 per cent and notable increases in walking, cycling and public transport use.

By working directly with households, schools and workplaces it gives people alternatives to car use, saving 0.9 million tonnes of carbon per year, the equivalent of taking 300,000 cars off the road¹.

To bring the scheme to households in cities across the UK would cost £370 million. This is a fraction of the price we currently pay for the way we move around, the cost to the economy of congestion and obesity is set to top £26 billion per year by 2020². And its benefit to cost ratio is nearly 8:1, compared to many road-building schemes that have a ratio of 2:1 or less³.

The proposal is part of a call to action that Sustrans is making to UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020.

Peter Lipman, Sustrans Policy Director says: "A 'perfect storm' of massive cuts in public spending, rising congestion costs and soaring health bills from obesity could overwhelm transport priorities unless action is taken. Traffic levels and congestion are projected to continue rising over the next decade, meanwhile significant reductions in transport spending will place severe pressure on transport budgets and make large schemes unaffordable. We have already seen the cancellation of the £1bn M4 relief road in Wales due to lack of funds and so cheaper alternatives to large road building schemes are needed.

"But a different approach could make a radical difference we currently make two out of every five local journeys by bike, on foot and by public transport - we believe it is possible, and necessary, to double that figure to four out of five. And it is achievable as the majority of local car journeys are less than five miles. The solutions are there and cycling to school, walking to work, having affordable public transport are a start but we need governments to take action to make these options more widely available. What's currently lacking is real political will and a sense of urgency and we believe that people would support their politicians since they want change too. Our research tells us that up to 95 per cent of those asked were in favour of transport policies that support walking, cycling and public transport even if these disadvantage the private car^4"

Sustrans' call to action outlines the ways to get more people walking, cycling and using public transport:

Encourage people to change their travel behaviour
Create safe, attractive walking and cycling conditions
Increase public transport usage by improving and integrating services and reducing fares
Ensure that planning policy and practice reduce the need to travel
Reform taxation and increase spending on sustainable travel

Over the coming months the charity will be using its call to action to target decision makers in central and local governments across the UK.

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk.

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

1 Based on average emissions of 207.5 g CO2 per vehicle km, from Defra's (2007) Guidelines to GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting.

2 By 2020 the annual cost to the NHS of obesity will be £18 billion - (Foresight Tackling Obesities: Future Choices Project, Government Office for Science, 2007) and it is estimated by DfT's National Transport Model that eliminating existing congestion on the road network (relative to free flow conditions) would be worth some £7-8 billion of GDP per annum. (The Eddington Transport Study, DfT 2006)

3 The benefit to cost ratio is calculated by attributing a monetary value to a number of factors, from public health benefit (ie the cost saving of a healthier population), the savings to employers whose fitter workforce take less time off, and the time saved through shorter journeys, particularly during the school run peak periods. The costs include the investment costs of safe routes, maintenance expenditure, and losses to the Treasury that might result from tax revenue decreases due to reduced fuel sales as people switch from using their cars to walking and cycling.

4 Worcester - Sustainable Travel Demonstration Town Travel behaviour research. Final evaluation report for Worcestershire County Council March 2009

Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Its vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. It is achieving this through innovative but practical solutions to the UK's transport challenges.
This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 9 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.
There are around 2,500 rangers helping to look after the National Cycle Network.

'Bling Bling' - bike circus calling

Sustrans — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:47:38 +0000

Issued on: Tuesday 23February 2010

Sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, has challenged Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, in Rhyl, to a circus-themed fancy dress competition where bikes - not children - will be the focus of attention, to encourage pupils to cycle to school.

The 'Bling your Bike' event, being held on Tuesday 23 February, is expected to gather a colourful riot of circus-themed children and bicycles at the school gates. Sustrans' Bike It officer, Gwen Thomas, organised the event with help from the school's dedicated Bike It crew, who chose the theme for the day.

Bryn Hedydd is the first school in Denbighshire to have a Sustrans Bike It officer; a dedicated cycling expert who arranges fun events and training to encourage children to cycle to school.

Deputy Head Teacher and Bike It School Champion, John Cannon, will be awarding prizes for the best dressed bikes. Sustrans Bike It Officer, Gwen says: "We're keen to show others what a great idea Sustrans' Bike It is. Not only does the project get children enthused about cycling to school, they also have a chance to let their creative ideas go wild! Every Monday is now a 'cycle to school' day, with a prize-draw at the end of term for everyone who takes part."

Bryn Hedydd recently received a grant from the Welsh Assembly's Safer Routes to School fund, with new traffic calming measures put in place over half-term.

Gwen adds: "With traffic speeds dramatically reduced near the school, I hope that more parents than ever will let their children cycle in."

Bryn Hedydd's Bike It project is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Bike Hub.

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Carly Rudrum in the Press Office on 0117 915 0127 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149

Email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of office hours mobile: 07802 986 728

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme.

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each.

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk

Date with a Dame for Wattbike Awards

Sustrans — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:43:39 +0000

Issued on: Friday 26 March 2010

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson will attend a presentation in Darlington this week for winners of the town's first Inter-School Wattbike Competition, organised by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans.

Dame Tanni, winner of 11 Paralympic gold medals and Chair of the Women's Sports and Fitness Foundation, Commission on the Future of Women's Sport, is adding her support to an initiative designed to encourage young people to cycle.

The competition, which was the idea of Sustrans Bike It officer, Kevin Kilcullen, involved Carmel RC College, Haughton Community School and Longfield School.

Sustrans works closely with Darlington Borough Council and the Local Motion Team as part of a drive to promote cycling to children, young people and their parents, encouraging them to cycle to school and view cycling as a fun and active form of everyday transport.

Kevin Kilcullen, who recently won a British Cycling volunteer award for outstanding work as a club coach said: "Wattbikes have been developed with British Cycling's coaches and scientists to replicate the sensation and feel of 'real' cycling. They are the world's first factory calibrated indoor bike to deliver accurate and consistent performance feedback so you can easily run virtual competitions like this one.

"Each school had a team of pupils and staff with every team member completing a 1km ride in as fast a time as possible using the static Wattbikes which were on loan from British Cycling North East regional team. The times were then averaged for the whole team."

He continued - "Some riders found the short test really tough and there were many wobbly legs as riders got off the bikes after their turn. I plan to run the competition on an annual basis for the secondary schools in Darlington that work with Sustrans, as we've had such a great response this year."

Final results of the competition: 1^st - Carmel RC College (1.26.38) 2^nd - Haughton Community School (1.31.77) 3^rd - Longfield School (1.36.61)

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Carly Rudrum in the Press Office on 0117 915 0127 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149

Email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of office hours mobile: 07802 986 728

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme.

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each.

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk

Cycle skills and police coding at 'Bike It' schools

Sustrans — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:41:45 +0000

Issued on: Wednesday 24 February 2010

Conwy children are being encouraged to cycle the school run thanks to a fun packed bike event being organised by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans.

At Ysgol Glan Morfa and Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, Sustrans' Bike It Officer, Gwen Thomas' cycle skills days will mix colourful bike events and competitions with cycle safety and training sessions. A Police Community Support Officer will be on hand to safety code bikes, and Sustrans' volunteer ranger Graham Harper will be on hand to help train as many children as possible.

At Ysgol Morfa Rhianedd, around five children normally bike or scoot to school. On Gwen's Bike It event days - and for days after - this number often quadruples, with up to 20 children getting active and arriving at school under their own steam.

Gwen says: "A whole new generation of kids are now cycling confidently to school - easing the morning traffic and making the roads near our schools that little bit safer. Cycle skills sessions help prepare pupils for their cycle training, which is provided by the council, or it refreshes what they have learnt and stimulates their love for cycling. The best thing that a child can do to improve their cycle proficiency is to cycle more often, and the cycle skills day kick starts this process."

Sustrans currently works with 4 schools in Llandudno, and 2 schools in Abergele in partnership with Conwy County Borough Council, with funding from Welsh Assembly Governement and the Bike Hub.

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Carly Rudrum in the Press Office on 0117 915 0127 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149

Email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of office hours mobile: 07802 986 728

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme.

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each.

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk

Merthyr's Trevithick bridge springs to life this Spring

Sustrans — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Issued on: Wednesday 17 February, 2010

Event: Walking and Cycling Awareness Day, 23^rd March, 9.30am-4pm, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre, Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Village, CF48 1UT

The proposed Trevithick Bridge to cross the A4060 trunk Road will take shape this Spring when the design plans for it go on public display at the Walking and Cycling Awareness Day on March 23rd.

Named after the British engineer Richard Trevithick, the bridge will form part of the historical Trevithick Trail, commemorating the first journey by a steam locomotive pulling a load on rails. Together with a new path, this route for pedestrians and cyclists is part of a UK-wide project from sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, to help connect communities. It will create a traffic-free route from the residential areas of Pentrebach and beyond to local supermarkets and workplaces as well as to the centre of Merthyr Tydfil. It will also link into the Taff trail.

The bridge design will also incorporate a large wheel which represents a cog-wheel that would have been connected to the driving wheels on the Pen-Y-Darren Locomotive - showing that the design has been intended to represent Trevithick's steam locomotive.

The bridge and entire scheme has been funded by Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council and also by Sustrans, using part of 'The People's Millions' - a £50million award from the Big Lottery Fund which was won in a national TV vote in 2007. It is also one of the new routes being developed as part of the Valleys Cycle Network and will receive additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government.

The event is hosted by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and will be the first time that the community will see the design plans for this new crossing. For those unable to attend the event, the plans will also go on display at the Communities 1st office in Troedyrhiw and in Abercanaid Primary School.

Rachel Lister, Sustrans Cymru Project Officer, said; "This scheme will really help the people of Merthyr to get around and access everything they need without having to sit in traffic. The designs for the bridge are really relevant to Merthyr and represent a part of its history and it will be a useful feature of the town really benefitting the people who live here."

Cllr Derek Games, J.P, Heritage Champion, said; "May I as Heritage Champion say how excited I am with the proposed Trevithick Bridge. With the increase in activity tourism and popularity for walking and cycling, it is fantastic to see a scheme of this nature which provides a safe, seamless route with the addition of promoting strong heritage significance."

ends

For more information on Sustrans or to request interviews, please contact

Emma Page, Sustrans Press Office, Tel 0117 915 0123 / Email: emma.page@sustrans.org.uk

For more information or interviews regarding the Walking and Cycling Awareness Day, then please contact Beth Jones, Merthyr Tydfil CBC, Tel: 01685 727 309 Email: beth.jones@merthyr.gov.uk

For images, please contact Sustrans' image library, Tel: 0117 915 0120 Email photos@sustrans.org.uk

Notes

This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 9 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.

Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007.

Connect2 is a £142 million scheme - £50 million from the largest ever single lottery grant - and the remaining millions in match funding for individual projects.

Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888, Out of hours: 07867 500 572. Full details of Big Lottery Fund projects and grant awards are available at: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Fundraising stunt for Basildon pupils

Sustrans — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:06:49 +0000

Issued on: Friday 12 February, 2010

Television stunt rider, Rich Johnson, will be astonishing children at Cherry Tree Primary School with a jaw-dropping mountain bike show and safety display, to raise money for a new school bike shed and to highlight the importance of staying safe on a bike.

Johnson, whose talents have led to appearances on Britain's Got Talent, Top Gear and Blue Peter, will put on the show, organised by sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, on Friday 12^thFebruary. Parents and pupils enjoying the show will be asked to donate money to help raise funds for a new storage facility to keep bikes secure at the school.

Anna Hughes, the school's Sustrans Bike It Officer comments, "We're delighted that Richard is going to come in to the school, to talk about safety on bikes. His dedication and enthusiasm towards cycling means that he's an excellent role model for the pupils. All the children, and their parents, are really excited to see the show, so we're hoping to raise lots of money towards the new bike shed."

Sustrans works in partnership with Essex County Council, with 11 schools in the Basildon district. The project receives funding from South West Essex PCT and the Big Lottery.

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Carly Rudrum in the Press Office on 0117 915 0127 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149

Email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of office hours mobile: 07802 986 728

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme.

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each.

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk

Cycling gets Chester pupils' hearts racing

Sustrans — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:00:56 +0000

Issued on: Tuesday 16 February, 2010

To celebrate Valentine's Day, last week 387 children across Chester showed just how much they love cycling by participating in a 'Love Your Bike' week.

Sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, helped to organise the fun filled cycle week with four schools from the area, to improve the children's cycle skills and teach them how to look after their bikes.

Children from Newton Primary School, Guilden Sutton Primary School, The Arches Community Primary School and Dee Point Primary School took part in various activities, including bike washes, playground cycling skills games, and Dr. Bike sessions, to learn how to look after and fix their bikes.

Lydia Wilde, Sustrans Bike It Officer said, "We were over whelmed with the enthusiasm from the children at these schools; we had well over 100 bikes in the playground on some days.

"The Most popular activity had to be the 'Bike wash' - the children used sponges, toothbrushes and lots of soapy water to get rid of all the dirt and get their bikes gleaming again."

Mr Griffiths, Head teacher of Newton Primary school, which saw 124 bikes in the playground last Tuesday, said, "I have been very impressed with the 'Bike it Crew' and the way they have encouraged our children to 'Love their Bikes'.

"Sustrans' Lydia Wilde and our Bike It Champion, Jane Fisher, were over whelmed that over 120 children bought their bikes in for the 'Love Your Bike' day. This will have a positive influence on the children's health and the environment."

Sustrans works with 10 schools in the Chester area, in partnership with Chester West and Chester Council.

Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Carly Rudrum in the Press Office on 0117 915 0127 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149

Email: press@sustrans.org.uk

Out of office hours mobile: 07802 986 728

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, aiming to increase the number of young people cycling to school and on other journeys.

Over the 2007/08 academic year there was a doubling of cycling levels in schools taking part in the Bike It programme.

There are currently 57 Bike It Officers in post across England and Wales working in depth with 10 to 12 schools each.

Cycling England is the expert body set up by Government to promote cycling nationally. Further information about Cycling England can be found at www.cyclingengland.co.uk.

Sustainable transport conference will share best practice in street design

Sustrans — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:36:09 +0000

Issued on: Monday 18 January 2009

Sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, is holding a conference on Thursday 11 March to celebrate its work on eleven pilot schemes designed to improve walking and cycling conditions in urban areas.

Launched in 2007, the Sustrans' DIY Streets projects have encouraged communities across the UK to re-design their own streets affordably to make them safer, cleaner and more people-friendly. The scheme follows the successes of home zones and aims to create more attractive spaces at a lower cost and with communities driving the process.

The conference, taking place in Bristol at the Council House, will review the evaluation results of the Sustrans' pilot projects carried out in London, South Wales, Coventry, Manchester, Sheffield, Torquay and Oxford. The residents' success in slowing down traffic and making their street safer for pedestrians and cyclists could see the scheme rolled out in cities throughout the UK.

Finlay McNab, Senior Project Officer at Sustrans, said: "The conference will provide an ideal opportunity to display and celebrate the work carried out across each pilot scheme, allowing residents and planning teams involved to get together, discuss individual projects and share best practice.

"The evaluation results will help Sustrans shape the next steps ahead for achieving its vision of creating safer and more attractive walking and cycling conditions for communities across the UK."

The scheme has been part-funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, local authorities and housing associations along with additional funding from Transport For London for projects carried out in the Capital.

The conference panel will include Sustrans' Chief Executive, Malcolm Shepherd, Peter Lipman, Policy Director at Sustrans, and project officers involved in urban design, community involvement and sustainable transport.

Members of the public are invited to attend the conference. Tickets are £55 each (£20 concessions) including lunch and are available through Sustrans. To make a booking, please contact Mira Ruskin on 0207 0172 364 or email mira.ruskin@sustrans.org.uk by 26 February.

Download the conference programme (pdf) and booking form.

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact:

Anna Simms in the Press Office on 0117 915 0109 (Direct Line)

Press Office telephone: 0117 927 7555;

Fax: 0117 930 4149

E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk.

Out of office hours (mobile: 07802 986 728)

Photo Librarian - Jonathan Bewley (0117 915 0120)

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

DIY Streets is helping residents to re-design their own streets affordably, putting people at their heart, making them safer and more attractive places to live. The project aims to replicate the positive successes of home zones, creating more peaceful spaces where kids can play and neighbours can chat, at a lower cost and with communities driving the process. Ten streets are participating in the three-year pilot which is part-funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Sustrans' flagship project, the National Cycle Network, is now around 12,000 miles and runs within one mile of over half the UK population. It is maintained by a team of 2,400 volunteer Rangers.

Afan Valley first to immortalise local heroes in a 'Portrait Bench' - a new UK-wide art project

Sustrans — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:01:24 +0000

Issued on: Thursday 11 February, 2010

Three local heroes are to be immortalised in a piece of art which will be placed along a new pedestrian and cycle route in the Afan Valley. Life-size images of the late great Richard Burton CBE, comedian and actor Rob Brydon and local man Dick Wagstaff, will be created in a weathering steel that will decorate a 'Portrait Bench' to be placed along a new route connecting Port Talbot to Cwmafon and the Afan Forest.

The Portrait Bench - is a new art initiative from sustainable transport charity - Sustrans - which will soon be appearing all over the UK on newly created routes for pedestrians and cyclists using a £50million grant from the Big Lottery Fund. Afan Valley residents are the first to choose their local characters for the bench and it will be installed in the spring but each bench will be individual to each community with nearly 80 installed across the UK by 2013. Sustrans is one of the largest commissioners of public art in the UK with over 2000 original artworks along the 12,000 miles of National Cycle Network.

Graham Jenkins, brother of the late movie legend Richard Burton and local resident, said,"Its wonderful that my brother will be commemorated in this way - our family are thrilled. He never forgot where he came from - the Afan Valley - and I know he would be tickled pink to see himself become an actual part of the landscape in which he was born and grew up."

Rob Brydon, comedian and actor, said, "This is a great honour and I look forward to offering weary cyclists the chance to catch their breath. I love the thought of becoming part of the landscape alongside Dick Wagstaff and the great Richard Burton. I'm hoping that my sculpture might be able to persuade Burton's sculpture to quote some poetry of an evening, or at least a bit of War Of The Worlds."

Dick Wagstaff, Manager Ranger at the Afan Forest Park, said, "I am so flattered to be a part of this. I've worked in the Afan Valley for over 35 years so to be a part of it in a piece of art is a huge honour. I can't believe my image will be alongside such famous local sons as Burton and Brydon."

The three local heroes to adorn the bench were chosen by the local community in Cwmafon. International acting legend Richard Burton has long been a celebrated local son and Rob Brydon is a much loved comedian and actor still with strong local links in the community. Local hero Dick Wagstaff has worked at the Afan Forest Park since 1974 and is seen by many people as truly making the area the beautiful place it is today.

Sara Rees, Senior Arts Officer, Sustrans Cymru, said, "It's great that the Afan Valley is first to choose their Portrait Bench characters. We can't wait to see the bench installed in spring and see it really become a part of the landscape. Sustrans supports public art that local people can see and enjoy every day and the Portrait Bench is a great example of how our everyday journeys can be made attractive and interesting."

Sustrans part-funded the £2million scheme in Afan Valley with £400,00 from the Big Lottery Fund which was part of £50million grant awarded to the charity in 2007 after winning a national TV vote. This funding is being used to create many new routes, bridges and greenways for pedestrians and cyclists across the UK so that local communities travel is ways that benefit their health and the environment.

Sustrans has worked alongside Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the Forestry Commission to create this route including a new river bridge near the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre, and with the Cwmafan Residents Action Committee, a local community group, who have secured funding from BBC Breathing Places and Welsh Assembly Government Tidy Towns for local environmental enhancements.

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For more information on Sustrans and the Portrait Benches or to arrange an interview, please contact Emma Page, Sustrans Press Office,

Tel 0117 915 0123 / Email: emma.page@sustrans.org.uk

For pictures, please contact Sustrans Picture Library

Tel 0117 915 0120 Email photos@sustrans.org.uk

Notes to Editors

This year Sustrans is marking the fifteenth anniversary of the National Cycle Network. On 9 September 1995, an award from the Millennium Commission enabled Sustrans to embark on the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. The Network now extends to just over 12,000 miles and carries one million walking and cycling journeys every day.

Sustrans' Connect2 won £50 million from the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions as a result of a public vote televised on ITV1 in December 2007.

Connect2 is a £142 million scheme - £50 million from the largest ever single lottery grant - and the remaining millions in match funding for individual projects.

Scottish hospitals, universities and colleges receive cash boost for cycling

Sustrans — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:43:54 +0000

Issued on: Thursday 11 February, 2010

Thousands of workers and students will soon benefit from funding to improve cycle parking facilities at health and educational sites across Scotland.

Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, allocated £208,000 of Scottish Government funding to hospitals, universities and colleges. Applications were received for improvements such as covered cycle storage and bike lockers.

Sustrans received a total of 52 applications for the fund of which 38 were successful including The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Glenrothes Hospital, Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities, Queen Margaret University, Dumfries and Galloway College and Argyll College UHI.

Research shows that many people choose not to cycle their everyday local journeys due to a lack of secure storage for their bicycles at their destination. Cycle parking facilities help to remove this barrier and encourage more people to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.

Fiona Miller, Active Travel Co-ordinator at Sustrans Scotland, said: "To qualify for the funding, applicants were asked to fund a minimum of 25% of their application which some institutions managed to exceed. This really reflects the strong need for improved cycle parking facilities at many health and educational establishments in the country.

"It is really encouraging to see that so many employers recognise the benefits of commuting to work by bike and are committed to improving the facilities that encourage more people to take to the saddle.

"Like walking, cycling is a healthy, cost-effective and convenient way to travel to work, college and university. It is also one of the easiest ways to achieve the daily recommended 30 minutes of activity to boost levels of fitness and well-being."

Further information about Sustrans, including other news releases and detailed online route mapping, is available through our website: www.sustrans.org.uk

/ends

For further information please contact the Press Office

Telephone: 0117 927 7555; Fax: 0117 930 4149; E-mail: press@sustrans.org.uk

Press and PR Manager - Gill Harrison 0117 915 0108

Senior Press Officer - Wendy Johnson 0117 915 0128

Press Officer - Anna Simms 0117 915 0109

Connect2 Press Officer - Emma Page 0117 915 0123

School Travel Press Officer - Carly Rudrum 0117 915 0127

Out of office hours - 07802 986728

Photo Librarians - Jonathan Bewley & Chandra Prasad 0117 915 0120 photos@sustrans.org.uk

ISDN line available for radio interviews

NOTES

In Scotland, around 2,000 miles of route are now open.