Towns to back cycling projects

Jun 20 2008 by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Daily Post

SOUTHPORT and Chester are among three North West towns to be awarded Cycling Demonstration Town status.

The scheme is designed to make cycling a more viable option for commuters through a variety of cycling initiatives receiving record levels of investment.

Through the scheme Southport will receive £1.8m and Chester £2.4m over three years, with government in- vestment being match-ed by local partners.

Southport and Chester have ambitious plans for a variety of initiatives to encourage people to cycle to work and school as well as for pleasure.

Chester plans to designate and promote new cycling routes, offer cycle training for children and adults and double the number of cycle trips from four to eight, while Southport aims to get 15% of high school children cycling to school.

Southport and Chester were among ten towns to be awarded Cycle Demonstration Town status nationwide, out of a total of 74 bids.

John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Technical Services, said: “Southport really is a town on the up and this funding will ensure that cycling plays a major part in new developments.”