Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

426. Travel time to facilities tends to be shorter for children and young people, withmost reaching facilities within 5-10 minutes. There is also more reliance on a carthan might have been expected, with almost 40% relying on this type oftransport. Walking is the most popular way to reach a facility, with just over halfof children and young people travelling this way. Cycling is minimal, with onlyabout 1% of young people and children using a bike. The bus is slightly morepopular, with 7% using this type of transport.427. The survey asked whether there were sufficient numbers of sportscourts/MUGAs across the City, and the overall response was that there were‘more than enough or about right’ levels of provision. No comment was madeabout the number of skate parks.428. The most significant barriers to the use of sports facilities include distance, thequality of the facility, feeling unsafe and price. All of these apply to the use ofsports courts/MUGAs and skate parks.429. A key recommendation arising from the Children and Young People’s survey is:“Ensure parks and open spaces are of high quality and increase both thesporting activities and accommodation for socialising in these types of facilities.To encourage usage, these sites should be safe and easily accessible”.430. The key priorities in relation to the provision of sports courts/MUGAs and skateparks are therefore:• Quality in relation to the attractiveness, safety and cleanliness of the sites• Regular maintenance and management to help to ensure high quality• Provision of new facilities where there are clear gaps in provisionNortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 257Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009