We are offering local schools grants to help their students walk, cycle and scoot to school, as part of our Plymotion programme.
Schools are being invited to apply for match-funding grants of up to £3,000 for innovative schemes that are designed to change the morning and afternoon commute and encourage more trips to be made by sustainable and active travel.
Previous sustainable travel grants have led to over £135,000 being invested in schemes encouraging walking cycling and scooting on the school journey (£90,652.38 of grant funding, matched by a further £45,058.15 from the participating schools).
Successful bidders have included Ernesettle Primary Academy, who built a bike pump track into the hillside of their playground to incentivise pupils to cycle to school and Pennycross Primary, who bought a fleet of bikes and bike accessories, such as trailers and bike-seats, for their Penny Bike scheme.
Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure said “Reducing the number of cars at the school gate has never been more important as we try to maintain social distancing during drop-off and pick-up times. Through these grants, schools can target barriers to active travel and help their whole school community make more healthy, safe and convenient journeys.”
Pennycross teacher Lee Hogden said: “Receiving the grant from Plymouth City Council helped us to further develop an ethos of active travel within our school community.
“We were very lucky to be awarded enough funding to purchase a fleet of top quality bicycles. These are available for our school community to borrow. The idea was that they would initially be used to inspire active travel to school, but they are proving to also be a successful tool for strengthening family connections.
“Pennycross have gone from strength to strength in our active travel journey and with the help of the grant we were awarded the Modeshift Stars Active Travel School of the Region. I will be applying again for the grant. We have big plans!”
Schools are being encouraged to be creative with their ideas and consult pupils, families and staff. Schemes should encourage (and sustain) an increase in the number of cycling, walking and scooter trips, improve the perception of sustainable travel amongst the school community and reduce carbon emissions.
Applications can be made until Friday 12 February 2021 but funding is limited and will be awarded to eligible bids on a first come, first served basis. For more information see our School Sustainable Travel Grants page.