Ludlow school wins gold for travelling green and going green

St Laurence CE Primary School in Ludlow has been awarded a School Travel Plan Gold Award by Shropshire Council’s transport planning team for its successful promotion of walk to school and cycling initiatives. 

Since writing their first travel plan in 2006 the school has introduced a popular walking bus, and children take part in a weekly competition to see which year group has walked to school the most. Year 6 recently registered 86% walking to school.

Championed for many years by recently-retired deputy headteacher Mark North, teaching assistant Sacha Lee now co-ordinates walking and cycling initiatives with full support from headteacher Kevin Bryant.

The school has covered cycle parking, and benefitted from a safer routes to school scheme including a zebra crossing at a popular crossing point on Lower Galeford. The school takes part in Stepping Out and Bikeability child pedestrian and cycling training schemes.

Sacha Lee also leads popular after-school bike clubs with the support of Local 21 green champion and resident David Currant, based on British Cycling’s Go Ride scheme.

The award comes with a small grant to help with the ongoing promotion of their school travel initiatives , and a certificate which was presented in assembly by Ray Hughes, Travel Shropshire Manager.

Another piece of good news to end the year was a successful grant application to Ludlow and Clee Hill Local Joint Committee, which will enable the bike clubs to benefit from a set of ‘pool bikes’.  These will help children who don’t own a bike or are unable to get them to school for the sessions, still participate.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for cycling, said:

“The news of the bike clubs and innovative pool bike scheme at St Laurence is very exciting, and we are delighted to offer support and due recognition.  They are at the forefront of helping Shropshire Council achieve its aim of getting more people cycling, more safely, more often, and supporting our work to promote sustainable travel in Ludlow through the Travel Shropshire project.”

Rosanna Taylor-Smith, local Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, said:

“The award recognises St Laurence’s sustained commitment to encouraging active travel in the interests of children’s health, and reducing unnecessary traffic around the school site.  I congratulate St Laurence for keeping sustainable school travel high on their agenda.”