Schools encouraged to apply for £1,000 of active travel funding

Shropshire Council is inviting schools to apply for a grant to help encourage children to cycle, walk or scoot to and from school.

The council has been awarded £30,000 of funding from Active Travel England and schools can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to spend on active travel initiatives.

Suggestions for how the grant can be used include buying scooter or cycle racks; buying hi- viz jackets; a bike or scooter loan scheme; or anything that will help their school to increase active travel.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 19 June 2024, and the council’s sustainable travel team are happy to talk to schools about an idea they may have prior to an application being submitted.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:

“Walking or wheeling 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.

“I’m delighted that we’ve received this funding from Active Travel England and that our schools can now bid for a share of the money to increase the number of children travelling to school by foot, by bike or by scooter.

“I look forward to receiving and considering the applications as they come in, and to seeing the successful initiatives being implemented.”

All schools in the Shropshire Council area have been sent application forms.

For more information – or to request an application form – email sustainabletravelplanning@shropshire.gov.uk