Pupils at Acre Hall Primary School have designed Christmas cards to launch a new walking and cycling scheme known as the Urmston Active Neighbourhood project, in Trafford.

The winning cards were selected by Executive Councillor for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, Cllr Stephen Adshead. These will be printed as invitations welcoming local people to the launch event, on January 23, at The Venue, 15 Westbourne Rd, Urmston, Manchester M41 0XQ, from 7pm – 9pm.

Executive Councillor for Environment, Air Quality and Climate Change, Cllr Stephen Adshead, said: “All the cards were brilliant and it’s a shame we couldn’t pick them all as winners, but the winning entries really incorporated the walking and cycling messages which really caught my eye.

“We have some really talented and creative children in Trafford, and I thought who better to design the invitation for the launch event than pupils from a Primary School in my local ward of Urmston.”

Head of School, Mrs White, said: “On behalf of everyone here at Acre Hall, I’d like to thank Trafford Council for giving us this opportunity. Children of all ages took part in the competition and really enjoyed it. We would like to congratulate our winning pupils.”

The designs will be printed and posted to over 16,500 households across Urmston, inviting local people, businesses and community groups to have their say in developing proposals for the project. Concepts may include improvements on upgraded crossings, enhanced signage, new networks for walking and cycling schemes and much more. The event will also offer a series of engagement activities, including virtual reality workshops.

Urmston’s Active Neighbourhood project supports Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman’s, ambition to connect every neighbourhood and community across the region, by making it easier for people to get around on foot or by bike. The proposal is part of The Bee Network’s vision of creating the UK’s largest joined-up cycling and walking network, at 1,800 miles long.

In support of this ambition, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has allocated £160 million to the Mayor’s Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund (MCF). This has resulted in Trafford Council being awarded funding from the MCF to create the first active neighbourhood in Urmston (including Flixton, Davyhulme East and Davyhulme West).

Chris Boardman, Cycling and Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “We are working very closely with Local Authorities across Greater Manchester to identify key routes, and develop new schemes.

“The scheme in Trafford will deliver huge benefits – making walking and cycling a real choice for local people and improving people’s health by helping to tackle congestion and poor air quality.”

Locals can register to attend the event at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/urmston-active-neighbourhood-tickets-85469927855. To find out more about the Urmston Active Neighbourhood project visit www.trafford.gov.uk/UrmstonActive Neighbourhood