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New Cycling 'Hub' for Stockton

Posted: 8th March 2010 | Source: Sustrans

More people in Stockton will be able to walk and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle thanks to the opening of a new local facility, The Hub.

Stockton Active Travel will open The Hub on Tuesday 16 March to support walking and cycling across the town, provide maintenance facilities and offer advice to help local people travel more actively.

The Lottery-funded project has been set up by sustainable transport charity Sustrans in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and the local Primary Care Trust. The Hub will be officially opened by Sustrans' Chief Executive, Malcolm Shepherd, along with Ruth Hill from the Primary Care Trust and Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport.

Sustrans Manager, Neil Mitchell, said: "The Hub will provide an excellent facility to help the Stockton community to get around in healthy and more environmentally friendly ways.

"People of all ages will be invited to use The Hub as a safe and secure place to park their bicycles for free. The Stockton Active Travel team will also be on hand from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm to offer members of the public advice on walking and cycling routes in the local area including free maps, and there will be a series of cycle maintenance classes on offer. We hope to be running a number of schemes in the future such as a 'bike buddy' scheme as well as a number of guided rides and walks around the Stockton area.

"Walking and cycling are such healthy, convenient and cost-effective forms of travel, and they are the easiest ways to help people achieve the daily recommended 30 minutes of activity to benefit their health."

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "Partnering with Sustrans and the Primary Care Trust, means the Stockton Active Travel Hub will be ideally placed to get more people walking and cycling. Not only will it reduce pollution but will help people lead healthier lives."

Throughout the afternoon of The Hub's official opening, people are invited to visit the facility and be shown around by members of staff and volunteers. The Hub is located in the centre of Stockton on Bridge Road.

For more information on Stockton Active Travel visit www.sustrans.org.uk/activetravel