More than 8,800 youngsters to receive Bikeability training thanks to new funding

Welcome to another Hughes Report on Sidmouth Nub News and may I begin by thanking those who voted last Thursday, no matter who you voted for.

Traffic signals at Sidford Cross are due to be replaced later this year, with preparatory work due to be carried out next month.

The county council is currently finalising the scheme which would upgrade the traffic signals at the junction of the A3052/A375 Sidford Cross, as well as the pedestrian crossing on the A3052 near to the junction.

Initial work to replace traffic detection systems, located in the road and pavements around the crossroads, is expected to start in mid-June and take up to three weeks.

Temporary four-way traffic signals, which would operate the same as the existing lights or be manually controlled, will be needed while this work is undertaken. They would not be in use overnight.

The existing light units would remain in place during this first phase of the upgrade. The new traffic signals, which use LED extra low voltage equipment, are expected to be replaced in the autumn.

The signals on the crossroads are around 20 years old and need to be replaced. This is a busy A-road crossroads which is unique in Devon and it's important that the lights are upgraded so that they are as reliable as possible.

The new equipment will help our ongoing efforts to reduce our energy use, and the work is planned to be carried out in two phases, either side of the summer holidays, in order to minimise disruption.

More than 8,800 school pupils across Devon will be able to receive Bikeability cycle training this year after a successful funding bid by the county council.

Just over £283,000 has been secured from the Department for Transport in order to deliver Bikeability and adult cycle training.

Bikeability provides children with important skills to help them cycle more safely and more often.

Devon County Council has now helped over 70,000 children take part in the free training since 2006.

Secondary schools are also being reminded that they are able to host free Bikeability Level 3 courses, which is the final stage of the training.

This equips trainees with skills for more challenging roads and situations where traffic is busier, in order to understand driver blind spots and how to pass queuing traffic. Level 3 training is delivered in groups of up to three.

Bikeability training is providing the next generation of cyclists with important skills and road safety awareness that they'll be able to use for the rest of their lives, so it's good news that we've secured more funding to train another 8,800 young people across Devon.

We're also keen for secondary schools to host our Level 3 Bikeability courses and would encourage schools to find out how to take part.

Adults can also sign up for free two-hour cycle confidence sessions to either help learn to ride a bike or brush up on cycling skills. Sessions also cover tips for riding as a family and provide advice on suitable routes.

For more information click the red button below.

Whilst on the cycle theme I am planning to set up a meeting with Co Bikes to see how we can progress electric docking stations across Sidmouth to help even more residents and visitors to our beautiful valley to experience the benefits of two wheels and help reduce our carbon footprint as we work towards the Sid Valley becoming a Carbon Neutral Community. Something I am leading from the front.

Until next time.

Written by Stuart Hughes, Devon County Councillor for Sidmouth and Cabinet Member for Highways.