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

Active Lifestyle62. The contribution an active lifestyle can make to health and well-being is welldocumented.The importance of active recreation and the provision of nontraditional opportunities often offered in non-traditional locations should not beoverlooked.63. Allotment gardening is recognised as a potentially major contributor to anactive lifestyle. Nationally, the demand for allotments has increasedsignificantly over recent years and this type of gardening now attracts a widerange of people, both young and old.64. <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent has 76 allotment sites managed by the City Council, with 3420plots. Of these about 75% are currently occupied by a range of individualsand community groups. The upward trend in popularity is expected tocontinue, resulting in waiting lists for the most attractive sites, and the need toimprove others to meet the demand.65. At present, <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent does not have an Allotment Strategy, although theneed for one was identified in the North Staffordshire Green Spaces Strategyof 2007. Such a strategy would help to confirm the aspirations of current andpotential users and to identify priorities for investment. The City Councilhopes to make progress on such a strategy during 2009.66. Another major potential contribution to active lifestyles is the opportunity forcycling; as a mode of transport for work or school, as informal recreation, oras a competitive sport. The research behind the Strategy has confirmed thatcycling is seen as an activity which has the potential to deliver on many fronts.It is a very cheap, accessible activity which reduces travel costs andcontributes to sustainability objectives. For those with an interest and ability,there are opportunities for competition in a range of disciplines, and forspectating at major events such as the Tour of Britain.67. The Cycling City Strategy 2008-2011 recognises the current barriers toincreasing cycle use, be these physical barriers such as gaps in the networkof routes, or perceived barriers such as the image of cyclists. The cyclingstrategy sets out an overall implementation plan as well as a detailed annualwork programme. It has already unlocked substantial grant aid towardsimproving the cycle network. This Strategy considers the opportunities forcompetitive cycling. Amongst the proposals for future development is aVelopark. A Velopark is likely to include a closed road circuit of around 1km(which is also suitable for running and Nordic skiing) and could potentiallyprovide for other cycle disciplines such as BMX.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 53Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009 – 2016October 2009