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16 • Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com CMBA The Champion • Wednesday 17 July 2013
A Local Plan
for Sefton
Job starters get on
their free bikes to work
Some of the staff at B&M with their new bikes.
EMPLOYMENT
ENVIRONMENT
HOMES
INFRASTRUCTURE
WELLBEING
We’re all ears
The Sefton Local Plan is a 15 year strategy to encourage
economic growth and ensure future generations have
opportunities to live and work in the borough.
WHATEVER YOUR OPINION
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TELL US
Have your say by 27th September 2013
Go to www.sefton.gov.uk or visit any Sefton library
1120712
Report by Holly Rummens
NEW job starters in Sefton are riding away with
a free bike to help with travelling to their place
of work.
Following funding from the Department for
Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund
(LSTF), since September 2011, more than 75
people have taken advantage of the Sefton
Wheels Cycle Scheme.
The scheme is run by Sefton Council’s Travel
Team and supports anyone living in the
borough who is starting a new job where
cycling is the best or preferred option for
travelling to work.
It forms part of a package of measures
supporting sustainable travel across
Merseyside – making it easier for people to
access education and employment
opportunities by public transport, walking,
cycling or car share.
Through the scheme, individuals can take
advantage of a new mountain bike, together
with safety equipment including lights, lock
and pump. Cycle training can also be provided
if needed, together with information on
suggested cycle routes, cycle personal journey
plans and details of bike maintenance
training.
Many employers across the borough have
taken advantage of the scheme including the
delivery of more than 30 bikes to staff at the
new B&M store which opened at Switch Island
Retail Park in May.
Cllr Peter Dowd, leader of Sefton Council,
said: “The benefits of staff cycling to work are
numerous, as it is a great way to keep fit and
healthy in turn reducing sick leave, lowering
stress and increasing productivity.
“Staff are also more likely to be punctual, as
journeys are less likely to be affected by traffic
jams, and not reliant on bus/train times,
services running late or not turning up.
“In addition, follow up with individuals has
shown that over 85% of those provided with a
bike were still in employment after three
months, improving staff turnover and
retention for the employer.
“However, the best thing about cycling to
work of course is that it is free!”