From resurfacing and crossing points to school bike lessons, workshops and major flagship schemes, Telford & Wrekin Council is leading the way when it comes to safe, direct and high-quality walking, cycling and wheeling routes for day-to-day travel, it has said.
Investment into infrastructure, events, equipment and facilities are also being delivered so people of all abilities, can make sustainable travel choices, lead healthier lifestyles and reduce carbon emissions through active travel.
In terms of cycling and wheeling, more than 1,000 budding cyclists have achieved the national standard within the last 12 months gaining confidence to advance their cycling skills and become more independent riders on today’s roads as part of the Bikeability scheme which continues to be rolled out to schools across the borough.
A fleet of 13 adaptive bikes are the latest editions to the council’s bicycle fleet – part of a ten-year commitment to ensure everyone, regardless of ability can be involved in active travel. Young people and adults who may find traditional bicycles challenging can now participate alongside able-bodied people too.
Cabinet Member the Economy Councillor Ollie Vickers (Lab) said: “We aim to ensure that anyone wanting to make more active travel choices can make that choice. Be that through affordable hire of equipment, free activities or events to attend or the emotional support needed to make the change, we are here every step – or even wheel in this case – of the way.
“We’re in for the long haul too with plans in place to bring about real changes to make Telford and Wrekin a cleaner, greener, safer place to live.”
In 2022, the Bike Hub relaunched allowing anyone to hire a bike and take advantage of maintenance training while larger scale projects, include improvements costing around £900k along the full 14 miles of the popular Silkin Way and a new 2km cycling and walking route connecting Newport with Donnington and Muxton.
For those who prefer walking, Telford’s annual Big Walk Week continues to be held year on year during spring attracting around 800 people throughout the week who got involved in forest schools, mindfulness sessions, craft workshops, storytelling walks, eco garden tours and much more.
This work is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s ‘20 pledges in 20 weeks’ campaign which will see the local authority deliver 20 actions on the things that matter most to local people during the first 20 weeks following Cllr Lee’s Carter’s appointment as Leader on 18 July. The pledges reinforce the council’s ongoing commitment to protect, care and invest to create a better borough.
PIC-TELFORD & WREKIN COUNCIL
