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CIL-funded school track benefits the whole community

Pupils from Holly meadows school at the opening of the new cycle track

Published: Wednesday, 4th May 2022

A £10,000 new cycling, walking and running track at a west Norfolk school can be enjoyed by pupils and community groups alike after it was officially opened on Tuesday.

The track, at Holly Meadows Primary School, in Pott Row has been funded through the local development levy. It will be used for teaching pupils bike handling as well as important road safety skills and will also be accessible to local groups who wish to use it for fitness or education.

Councillor Stuart Dark MBE, leader of the borough council, attended the opening of the track and said:

“It was a joy to see pupils trying out the track, knowing that it will help them to enjoy being active and learn valuable life skills, and to hear how it will have wider community benefits as well.

“We’re spending more than £580,000 on community projects in the latest round of CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) and people across west Norfolk will feel the benefits. This type of project is exactly what the levy is for.”

Head teacher of Holly Meadows School, Jennie Wildsmith-Garton, added:

“Due to the nature of the local roads, parents with young children are often reluctant to participate in road cycling as they don't feel that their child would have the skills to cycle safely.

“The new track will help them develop skills that are transferrable to road cycling, as well as improving their off-road cycling ability and fitness.”

Children between 4 and 11 at Holly Meadows school have access to bicycles and dedicated cycling lessons both in curriculum time and after-school clubs. They have a British Cycling-trained member of staff at the school, Lisa Hutchinson, who delivers Balance-ability (learning to ride) as well as 'Go-Ride' and 'Bike-ability' for other age groups and abilities. The track will also be available to local community groups.

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