Shropshire schools share £30,000 boost for Active Travel

Eighteen schools across Shropshire are set to receive a share of £30,000 in funding aimed at encouraging children to walk, cycle, or scoot to and from school.

This initiative, championed by Shropshire Council and funded by Active Travel England, marks the second consecutive year the council has secured such a grant, building on the success of 2024 when 24 schools benefited.

The funding, up to £1,000 per school, will be invested in a range of active travel initiatives, including:

- Scooter and bike storage/racks: Providing secure places for children to leave their active transport.

- Purchase of balance bikes and scooters: Making equipment accessible for younger pupils.

- Helmets and safety equipment: Ensuring safe participation.

- Scooter training: Equipping children with the skills to scoot safely.

- Dr Bike sessions: Offering bike maintenance and repair workshops.

- Hi-viz clothing: Increasing visibility and safety during commutes.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active travel, expressed his delight at the continued success of the scheme. “I’m delighted that we have been able to again award this funding to schools from across the county to help enable children to travel to school on foot, by bike or by scooter,” he said. "Walking, cycling or scooting to school is a great way for children to keep fit and stay healthy. It also helps to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads near schools, so helps to keep children safe too. Thank you to all the schools who applied.”

Councillor Wilson recently represented Shropshire Council at the Active City Conference in York, where twelve of England's regional mayors pledged to create a "national active travel network" with an initial focus on safer school commutes.

Chris Boardman, the National Active Travel Commissioner, underscored the importance of this commitment. “People will only consider travelling actively if it is easy and safe. That’s what the mayors have today pledged to do and that’s why government is backing them. It’s going to have a hugely positive impact on millions of people’s daily lives,” he stated.

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, further highlighted the health benefits. “Increasing physical activity has health benefits across the life course. As part of this, we need to make walking and cycling more accessible, and safer, as well as access to green space easier and more equitable. This will help remove barriers to improving physical activity levels and could significantly improve the health of England’s population,” he added.

This investment reflects a growing national push to integrate physical activity into daily routines, fostering healthier communities and reducing reliance on cars for short journeys.

Shropshire Schools Awarded Active Travel Funding

Grange Primary School, Shrewsbury (Scooter training)

St Mary’s CE Primary School, Albrighton (Bike / scooter shelter)

St Peter’s CE Primary School, Wem (Bike racks and scooter pods)

Church Preen Primary School (Balance bikes and helmets)

Clee Hill Community Academy (Balance bikes and Dr Bike sessions)

Radbrook Primary School, Shrewsbury (Scooters, helmets and Scooterbility training)

Whitchurch CE Junior Academy (Bike and scooter storage)

Oakmeadow CE Primary, Shrewsbury (Hi viz, bike rack and bike maintenance workshop)

Wistanstow CE Primary School (Balance bikes, scooters, helmets and portable traffic signs)

Coleham School, Shrewsbury (Balance bikes, bikes and helmets)

Bowbrook Primary, Shrewsbury (Balance bikes and helmets)

Greenfields Primary School, Shrewsbury (Scooter rack)

Beckbury CofE Primary School (Scooter and bike storage)

Prees CE Primary School (Bikes and helmets to loan)

Mount Pleasant Primary, Shrewsbury (Scooter store and helmets)

Market Drayton Junior School (Bike and scooter racks)

Woodside Primary School, Oswestry (Scooters and scooter training)

St. George’s Junior School, Shrewsbury (Scooter training and Dr Bike)