Tag Archives: Redways

MK Mayor talks to Chris Boardman

MK Mayor Marie Bradburn met Gold Olympian cyclist Chris Boardman CBE as he stopped off in Milton Keynes on his Pedal to Paris ride to raise environmental awareness.

Photo: Jos Dyer, Madison Cycles

“We had a great conversation,” said the Mayor. “I told Chris about what we’re trying to do here in Milton Keynes and he agreed to connect us with ATE’s regional engagement manager to talk about how we can get more people cycling.” ATE is Active Travel England, the government’s executive agency responsible for making cycling (and walking and wheeling) a preferred travel choice, which Chris leads.

Chris also met Suzanne Moss of Ringway, a member of the Cycling Citizens MK alliance (left in photo below left), and pupils of Two Mile Ash who recently won Gold in the final of MK Bikeability Olympics (with trophy in photo below right) .

Chris then led the riders off on the fourth leg of the Pedal to Paris ride to Bisham Abbey.

Mayor Bradburn rode the first seven miles before turning back to attend scheduled meetings.

Two Mile Ash enjoys sunniest bike bus so far

15 children and five parents enjoyed the sunniest bike bus ‘FRideDay’ so far – the last ride of the term – with thanks to Brioche Pasquier UK for providing the sweet treats at the end!

This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.

The Two Mile Ash bike bus runs Fridays in term time, leaving the ‘Wind in the Willows’ Pentworth Park at 8.10am and picking up students at different points along the route. Any parent interested should contact teacher Jake Saville contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.

A similar scheme began at Bushfield School on 24th May (photo story), and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.

Sweet boost for Bushfield Bike Bus riders

On Friday 5th July, nine eager Year 4-6 pupils arrived early to the Wolverton Agora bus stop, the meeting point for the weekly Bushfield Bike Bus.

They knew that all Bike Bus riders were going to be offered free cake by the owner of Tea & Toast Cafe on Church Street, Umut Alkpan. Sure enough, there was a large slice of chocolate or cheese cake for all (photo above)!

“It was a bit wet,” said MK’s Mayor Marie Bradburn (pictured below), “but we had a lovely ride despite the weather.”

This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.

Bushfield Bike Bus seeks, which began on 24th May (photo story), seeks parent volunteers to help out on Friday mornings next term. If you are interested, contact Cycling Citizens Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.

Mayor leads Two Mile Ash bike bus pilot

New Mayor Marie Bradburn led 31 children on the first ‘bike bus’ pilot to Two Mile Ash School. 7 parents joined the ride.

“I am delighted to be launching this second pilot as part of MK’s Year of Cycling,” she said. “We know that cycling is not only good for your health, research shows it also makes it more likely you’ll earn good money when you leave school.”

This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.

The Two Mile Ash bike bus will run on Fridays until mid-July, leaving the ‘Wind in the Willows’ Pentworth Park at 8.10am and picking up students at different points along the route. Any parent interested should contact teacher Jake Saville contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.

A similar scheme began at Bushfield School on 24th May (photo story), and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.

Mayor leads first MK bike bus

New Mayor Marie Bradburn led 8 children on a 2km circuit of Wolverton to arrive in time for lessons at Bushfield School.

“I am delighted to be launching this initiative in my first week of MK’s Year of Cycling,” she said. “We know that cycling is not only good for your health, research shows it also makes it more likely you’ll earn good money when you leave school.”

“We’re pleased to be the first school to take part in this scheme as we’ve been promoting cycling for several years,” said Richard Hill, Head of PE at Bushfield School. “Our goal is to teach every child to cycle as a life skill. We hope the bike bus will encourage them to cycle more outside school as well as to and from school.”

This bike bus initiative is part of a national scheme set up by Sustrans and Schwalbe Tyres, and is made possible in MK by a small grant from MK Community Foundation.

The Bushfield bike bus will run on Fridays until mid-July, when it will end with a bike breakfast celebration for all who have taken part.

Children and supporters, including MK Mayor and her consorts Mia and Rhianna, at end of MK’s first bike bus ride to Bushfield School, Wolverton

A similar scheme will begin at Two Mile Ash School on Friday 7th June, and it is hoped other MK schools will follow in September.

If you have a child in Bushfield or Two Mile Ash schools, and would like your child to join the bike bus ride one Friday morning, contact Organiser Tom Bulman at cyclingmk@citizensuk.org, tel 07962 838685.

Pupils negotiate Redway improvements with Council Leader – 15.6.17

Following the action on 21st April, pupils from four schools met Cllr Pete Marland and his Highways chief Sean Rooney to lay out their initial plans for Redway improvements.

Each school had 10 minutes to present images and details of their top 10 priority ‘hotspots’ for improvement.  These included over-hanging bushes, broken steps, old paintwork, discoloured signposts and lots and lots of rubbish and broken glass.  The schools involved were Jubilee Wood, Summerfield (pictured), St. Monica’s Catholic Primary, MK Academy and St. Paul’s Catholic School.

Cllr Marland agreed to meet with the pupils again once his team had drawn up a list of RAG-rated works, and following a meeting with The Parks Trust, which has responsibility for some of the Redways on which improvements are needed.

On summarising the pupils’ thanks to Cllr Marland,  Josephine Osei from MK Academy said:  “We feel privileged that you are finding time to work with us on something we are so passionate about.”

“I’ve been very impressed with the students’ research,” said Cllr Marland.  “I really like their idea of painting the Redway lamp posts in the school colours, so that hopefully former pupils and parents will take as much care of their school’s Redways as the current pupils and staff.  If this works, I think it can be rolled out to include schools that aren’t members of Citizens:mk.”

Pupils pictured outside Civic Offices below.

Shoosmiths takes to the Redways with Summerfield pupils – 15.6.17

Seven members of staff from Shoosmiths LLP joined dozens of pupils from Summerfield Primary School for 90 minutes of litter-picking on the local Redways.

This was another good example of local businesses doing their bit to help Citizens:mk member schools generally, and the Redways Relaunch campaign in particular.

“I simply put a request out by email and all these colleagues came forward to volunteer,” said Sarah Lovell of Shoosmiths (pictured third from left).  “It’s good for us individually as well as a business to be involved in community projects like this.”

“This is fantastic,” said Pam Weston, Summerfield School head teacher.  “We want to get involved in our local community and that includes companies like Shoosmiths.”

Dentons LLP staff help pupils take on Jubilee Wood redway – 13.6.17

Four staff from Dentons LLP UMEA joined pupils from Jubilee Wood Primary School in a massive clean-up of the Redway alongside the school.  This was an action for the Citizens:mk Redways Relaunch campaign.

Working with Mitch Michener from Campbell Park Parish Council as well as Dentons, the pupils split into groups to clean different sections of the Redway.

“It’s great to see how enthusiastic the children are,” said Angela Monzione from Dentons.  “What they’re hoping to do is adopt this area and maintain it.  It’s going to happen for years to come, so it’s a project for now and for the future.”

“If we can monitor the area at least once a week, we can keep it clearn,” said a 10-year old member of the School Council.

“I’m using a litter picker and picking up some glass,” said a 7-year-old pupil, “so people riding their bikes won’t fall on it and cut themselves.”

“We love our Redways and want to look after them,” said head teacher Tony Berwick.  “Our children are learning to love Milton Keynes, and that is good news for us all.”

Click here to see short video of Tony Berwick speaking.