New Active Travel Project in Stockton

Source: Sustrans

Posted: 15th June 2009

Inactive people in Stockton will be encouraged to walk and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle with a range of new activities.

Stockton Active Travel will set up walking groups, bike rides and cycle skills training for the communities of Mandale and Victoria, Norton, Portrack and Tillery, Newtown and Parkfield.

A workplace fitness programme at Teesdale Business Park will also be established to create a healthier workforce and reduce sick leave. This will include free cycling skills and bike maintenance training, a free bike loan scheme and free travel information including maps.

The Lottery funded project has been set up by sustainable transport charity Sustrans with support from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and NHS Stockton-on-Tees. It will be officially launched by Stockton Mayor Paul Kirton and Elisabeth Shassere, Locality Director of Public Health at the Primary Care Trust, at the new traffic-free Infinity Bridge on June 16.

Project coordinator Paul Morrison said: "The new Infinity Bridge is a brilliant piece of infrastructure to encourage everyone to get around in healthy and more environmentally friendly ways. But to get people using the bridge and other traffic-free links you also need to give them the confidence to get on their bikes and the incentive to walk more often.

"These new programmes of cycle training, group walks and bike rides will show people that it is easy to build exercise into their daily routines."

Among the project's activities will be a series of Sunday family bike rides this summer to destinations including the Transporter Bridge, Thorpe Thewels, Ingleby Barwick and Billingham Beck Country Park.

For more information on Stockton Active Travel visit www.sustrans.org.uk/activetravel or email paul.morrison@sustrans.org.uk