Page 5 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • May 2012 5
Hope for Diamond Jubilee Woodland grant success

A proposal to plant thousands of trees on 40 acres of land between North and West Swindon to celebrate the
Queen’s sixty years on the throne could receive approval later in the year if a grant application is successful.
The site identified is close to “Swindon has a history of finding Great Western Community Forest,
Nova Hreod School and Moredon all sorts of industrial stuff being bur- including 170 acres at Shaw Forest.
Did you know?
Par 3 golf course, north of Shaw ied in the past, but as we’ve shown “We’ve gone out of our way to Did you know?
Forest Park. at Shaw Forest trees can cope with provide hundreds of acres of land
Cllr Nick Martin, cabinet member inhospitable conditions.” across Swindon for people to enjoy, A 5 mile return trip from
A 5 mile return trip from
for open spaces, has been develop- Cllr Martin has been involved including the enhancement and Redhouse to the town
Redhouse to the town
ing the project with council officers. with the green spaces around Shaw extension of Lydiard Park and at
centre costs £2 in fuel
He said: “Subject to what might lie since 1995 when a Thamesdown Mouldon Hill. We now have more centre costs £2 in fuel
plus parking charges.
beneath the surface of the fields, the Borough Council resolution secured green open space across the town plus parking charges.
prospect of creating a large new the purchase of Shaw tip from than we had ten years ago.” The same trip on an
The same trip on an
woodland to mark the Queen’s Wiltshire County Council. He said: The grants of up to £4,000 per acre electric bike costs just
electric bike costs just
jubilee is very exciting. “This kicked off the creation of the will be agreed by the end of the year.
less than 2p and there’s
less than 2p and there’s
no parking costs!
no parking costs!
‘Western Flyer’ plans on show Getting the signs right
Call today to arrange
As part of the £6 million A Swindon Council project to greatly improve pedestrian Call today to arrange
your test ride – and we’ll
Swindon Travel Choices and cycle direction signs around West Swindon is nearing your test ride – and we’ll
bring a bike to you!
project to improve oppor- an end, though not without a few hiccups. bring a bike to you!
tunities for walking and New fingerposts have been erected in key places but
cycling to work in Swindon the less expensive footpath stick-on signs that appeared
town centre, a public exhibi- in April have been removed because of sub-standard 01793 704545
tion focusing on two schemes work and will be reinstalled at the contractor’s expense. electricbikesolutions.co.uk
will take place at Swindon Central Library, All the signs displaying Greendown Community School
Regent Circus on Friday 25 May, 2pm to 7pm, will be amended to show Lydiard Park Academy.
and Saturday 26 May, 10am to 2pm.
This will display options for upgrading the
‘Western Flyer’ cycle route from West Swindon
to the town centre, and also a scheme concentrat-
ing on improving pedestrian and cyclist access
in the town.
There will also be a chance to see the plans and
talk to council officers at West Swindon Library
in mid-June; date and time to be confirmed in
the June Link.
Advertising feature
Fears for fuel supplies
could spark rush to electric bikes Walk Swindon
With fuel prices
heading towards
an unprecedent- Walking is ideal natural exercise.
ed £1.50 per litre
- £100 to fill the Walking Festival
average family
car - it’s worth
thinking about 14 - 25 May
an electric bike
for the short ev-
eryday trips says Get outside and explore the borough’s hidden
Graeme Pitts-
Drake of Electric gems on foot this spring with our sociable,
Bike Solutions. Save money on fuel with the power of electric guided walks and events.
“With the av-
erage daily commute of around Graeme added: “It’s also expen- Great for improving your fitness levels,
6 miles, a return trip to work and sive to use the car to pop out to the managing your weight, meeting new
back now costs in excess of £2.50. local shops for a few things, or drop
An electric bike will do that same children at school. people and lifting your spirits.
trip for under 2p – you don’t sit in “In these challenging times
traffic burning a hole in your pocket people are looking at ways to save All walks are free and led by volunteers.
and there’s no parking cost when money and using an electric bike
you arrive.” provides the ideal solution.
As quality electric bikes cost “The most rewarding part of our
more than the government’s £1,000 business is that our products are lit-
cap on the cycle to work scheme erally life changing for many people. To find out more, turn to page 00
Graeme has come up with a They help reduce road congestion D12874/12
business leasing arrangement to and motivate people to get active Visit www.getwalking.org/swindon
allow companies to rent bikes to on the move rather than sitting in or phone 01793 465413.
employees. They arrive at work traffic jams piling on the pounds
fresh and fitter whilst the leasing whilst wasting money.”
cost is tax deductible and therefore Contact Graeme via the advert
cost neutral. above.

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