Calderdale youngsters being encouraged to scoot and cycle to school

Ten schools in the borough have had colourful new cycle and/or scooter storage installed to support and encourage active travel and complement the School Streets initiative.

Calderdale Council is working with schools to encourage more active ways for children and young people to get to and from school, such as walking and cycling.

Schools were invited to apply for additional storage for bikes or scooters, and in total 19 schools will benefit from the Cyclepods or Minipods.

The initiative has been funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority after a successful Council bid, supported by Active Calderdale.

An additional nine schools will have storage installed before the end of the year.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Resilience, Councillor Scott Patient, said: “A number of schools around the borough are already benefitting from the introduction of School Streets, meaning that their roads are only open to pedestrians and other non-motorised vehicles during term-time at the school’s opening and closing times.

“Many of these schools and others now also have new cycle and scooter storage after we successfully bid for funding from the Combined Authority. The addition of these eye-catching storage units will further support pupils to make active travel choices for the journey to and from school, ensuring they’ve a safe place to leave their bike or scooter throughout the day.

“Encouraging a switch to active travel not only supports a healthier lifestyle, but also contributes to improved air quality by reducing vehicle idling and pollution levels.”

The ten schools which have the new cycle/scooter storage are:

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Halifax

St Malachy’s Catholic Primary School, Illingworth

Withinfields Primary School, Southowram

Burnley Road Academy, Mytholmroyd

Salterhebble Junior and Infant School, Halifax

Ash Green Community Primary School, Halifax

Old Town Primary School, Hebden Bridge

All Saints’ CE VA Junior and Infant School, Halifax

Bailiffe Bridge Junior and Infant School

Walsden St. Peter’s Primary