Youngsters take the smooth route to school
A revamped cyclepath is giving youngsters at three Lancaster schools a safe and smooth journey to school.
A revamped cyclepath is giving youngsters at three Lancaster schools a safe and smooth journey to school.
As part of Lancaster City Council’s Cycling Demonstration Town (CDT) Project, improvements have been carried out to the cycle/footpath which links the Hala estate to the gates of Sustrans Bike It Schools, St. Bernadette's and Moorside Primary Schools and to Stepping Stones School on Bowerham Road.
Before the works were undertaken, this already popular shortcut from Gressingham Drive to Bowerham Road, bordered on one side by woodland, was regarded by residents to be dark, muddy and unsafe.
The improvements included reconstruction and widening of the path, replacement and realignment of the school boundary fence, street lighting and signage. A small number of trees and some undergrowth had to be removed from the woodland areas but a compensatory planting/landscaping scheme is proposed for the autumn.
The project also included the conversion of the Bowerham Road footway to 'shared use' so that pedestrians and cyclists can access the schools and use the path to Barton Road more safely.
As a result of the work, the path is much more attractive and welcoming and is providing an improved sense of safety which should, in the long term, encourage greater use of it by both pedestrians and cyclists.
Commenting on how the improvements, Len Guest, Headteacher of Moorside School said: "I have to congratulate Lancaster City Council's CDT Project for the efforts that it continues to make in promoting cycling as a healthy alternative to travelling by car.
"The council have worked with all three schools to produce a wonderful new cycle path that wraps around our grounds and joins us all to the city's web of cycle paths.
"We are all keen to see as many children as possible gain cycling confidence and use their bikes more often. This cycle track will, we hope, encourage more children and their parents to enjoy riding to school and then feel happier about striking out to places further afield.
"We also hope that dog walkers using the path won't spoil this experience and keep the path clean".
Coun Eileen Blamire, cabinet member with responsibility for cycling and community safety said: "This is another welcomed example of how our district's Cycling Demonstration Town Project is committed to improving our local cycling network and ensuring our paths are more attractive, easier to access and that people feel much safer using them."
The new improved path will be officially opened by Coun Eileen Blamire on Friday, May 23 at 3.30pm. Celebrations continue after the event with a guided family bike ride to Lancaster University.
Date Updated: 19/03/09