Safer cycling and walking to school for Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey pupils

Pupils at four schools in the Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey area are to benefit from projects being delivered by The Highland Council through the Scottish Government’s Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets (CWSS) programme.  

Members of The Highland Council’s Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee have given their approval for £71,486 CWSS funding for projects at Auldearn and Newtonmore Primaries; Nairn Academy and Grantown Grammar.  

At Auldearn Primary £30,000 will be used to widen the pavement at an existing pedestrian crossing and to install a ramp to the school’s cycle store. The school hopes these works will encourage more pupils to cycle to school and improve pedestrian safety by reducing school gate parking.  

Nairn Academy projects will receive a £10,000 boost to create a new footpath and access to the school and to improve access to the school’s existing cycle store.  

Walking routes to Newtonmore Primary will be improved for pedestrian access (subject to further consultation) with £25,000 funding.  

Active travel to Grantown Grammar will be encouraged with the creation of a new cycle store with an £6,486 award. 

The aims of the projects are to improve pupil and parent/carer safety while walking and cycling to and from school and encouraging active travel. The projects are identified by the Highland Council’s Road Safety Unity working with schools to help them produce School Travel Plans that meet their individual requirements.  

Councillor Liz MacDonald, Chair of the Council’s Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Area Committee said: “We welcome this investment across our area it’s important that we try to encourage as many young people and their families to cycle or walk to school for health benefits and for the environment.”

24 Sep 2015