Calls for new cycle route in Chesterfield to create a safer and greener school run

A retired Chesterfield GP who is calling for a debate on creating a greener and safer school run wants to see an ‘emergency’ route created before September.
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Dr Brendan Ryan has launched a conversation calling for schools in the town to be linked by safe commuting routes – allowing parents to have the confidence to encourage their children to walk or cycle to school in the ‘new normal’ Covid-19 world.

He says an ideal first step would be to extend the Hipper Valley active travel route to create a safe cycle and walking route to Brookfield School, and by connections to Somersall Park, a safe active travel route from Holymoorside into town and back.

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"Post Covid-19 it would link Walton Holymoorside Primary School, Brookfield and St Mary’s to each other, their sports facilities and to Queen’s Park sports facilities,” Dr Ryan, of Holymoorside, said.

Retired Chesterfield GP Brendan Ryan wants to see cycle paths created for a greener and safer school run.Retired Chesterfield GP Brendan Ryan wants to see cycle paths created for a greener and safer school run.
Retired Chesterfield GP Brendan Ryan wants to see cycle paths created for a greener and safer school run.

"Chesterfield has stated its ambition to be the gateway to the Peak District and this small link, and some work on the existing network, is all that is missing to achieve this ambition.”

Dr Ryan says this section is only 1.1 km long and is nearly flat. He says use of a temprary surface could mean it could be in operation very quickly as an ‘emergency measure’.

Disussions about what is known as ‘phase three’ of the Hipper Valley active travel route started more than 14 years ago and Dr Ryan believes planning permission was achieved six years ago.

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Derbyshire County Council has urged people to have their say via a parent survey set up earlier this summer.

“We are working with all our schools to see how we can encourage more pupils to walk, cycle or scoot to school in September where this is safe and possible,” a spokesperson said.

"We have launched a survey for parents, which asked them to let us know how they intend getting their children to school in September, and this asked them what would make walking, cycling or scooting more likely.

“Over many years we have worked with schools to encourage them to have a school travel plan that prioritises active and environmentally-friendly ways of travelling to school.”

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