Schools Riding High After Survey Success

Pupils in South Tyneside can park and ride in style after winning smart storage for their bikes and scooters.

Three schools in the borough have had new 'Minipods' installed, after taking part in a survey to help the council learn more about how children travel to and from school. The Minipod racks can store up to eight cycles or scooters.

The 'Hands Up' questionnaire was sent to schools across the Borough as part of travel guidance issued by the council to help parents plan their journeys following the return to school after the national lockdown.

Cllr Mark Walsh, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, said; "We wanted to encourage people to think about their travel options when the schools returned back in September.

"The need for social distancing meant that fewer passengers could travel on public transport, which could then have a knock-on effect on the road network if more people decided to drive.

"We're committed to promoting sustainable modes of transport as part of the school run. Active travel like walking, cycling and scooting to school provides so many benefits, including helping keep children fit and healthy, cutting congestion on the roads and improving local air quality.

"The council had very limited data about how children are getting to and from school, and more importantly, how they would like to travel there.

"This is important for us when we're planning our transport networks so that we can create a safe and efficient environment for all road users."

Schools who completed the survey were entered into a prize draw to win one of three Minipods, and the winning schools were: Hadrian Primary School, Monkton Infants and Cleadon Academy.

Scott Brown, Headteacher of Hadrian Primary School in South Shields, said: "The Minipod is great, we've got children making use of it already and in the summer months it will be even more popular.

"We've always promoted cycling and other forms of active travel to and from school and our location on the Lawe Top means it's relatively safe and quiet for the children to do so.

"The Minipod is smart and secure and will make it even easier for pupils to get on their bikes and scooters."