From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, January 15, 2008

WORK on a £239,000 scheme to improve the walking and cycling routes to the new St Nicholas Catholic Primary School in Ringswell Avenue, Exeter, is due to start on Monday 21 January.

The Devon County Council scheme is part of an ongoing programme being developed jointly with schools in Exeter to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school, rather than being driven by car. The improvements were identified in St Nicholas Primary School's Travel Plan after it opened on the site of the former St Luke's School last September.

The footpath on the south-western side of Sidmouth Road, from the Middlemoor roundabout down to the Honiton Road junction, will be widened to a shared use footway/cycleway.

The existing crossing at the junction will be upgraded to a toucan, catering for cyclists as well as pedestrians. The outbound slip road, at present uncontrolled, will also have a signal controlled push-button crossing.

Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said: "It's pleasing that even more Devon children will be able to travel to school without relying on cars. The cycle link and new crossing will provide a safer route to St Nicholas School and will link various routes from Middlemoor roundabout. The aim of these works is to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school to help improve their health and to help do their bit to make Devon even greener."

Pat Anzani, Headteacher at St Nicholas Primary, said: "We are delighted that the county is working to make our children's route to and from school safer. These developments will enable us to make further progress towards our Travel Action Plan targets and our Healthy Schools Award. Many of our children use these routes, including our successful 'Walking Bus' and these enhancements can only mean that children and parents will be further encouraged to walk and cycle to school, thus arriving fresh and ready to enjoy their learning."

Walking and cycling routes are a key element in the County Council's strategy for tackling traffic congestion and reducing CO₂ emissions. At other schools in Exeter where similar investment in the surrounding cycle network has been made, up to 17% of children regularly cycle to school compared with a national average of just 2%.

Councillor Olwen Foggin, Devon County Councillor for Heavitree and Whipton Barton, said: "This scheme will promote cycling and walking among the pupils at St Nicholas and help them to learn important road safety skills at an early age. By providing these improvements, it gives the children a realistic alternative to being driven to school in the car. They will have the choice to walk or cycle in with their friends, while at the same time benefiting their health in a way that also helps the environment."

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Councillor for St Loyes and Topsham, said: "The roads around the new school are very busy, so anything that the County Council can do to make it safer for pupils travelling to and from school has to be applauded."

Notes for Editors:

Councillor Margaret Rogers, 01297 680384.

Councillor Olwen Foggin, 01392 660430.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, 07768 328164.