There was great excitement at Sgoil an Iochdair in South Uist yesterday when visitors
came to see the new green-roofed cycle shelter.
Members of Iochdar Community Council joined councillor Uisdean Robertson, chair of the comhairle’s transport committee and cllr Mustapha Hocine, vice chair of the comhairle education committee.
The visitors sought refuge from the elements in the new structure while members of the school’s pupil council were undeterred by the rain and showed off their cycling skills in the playground.
The shelter was funded by a grant from HITRANS Regional Transport Partnership which was secured by Iochdar Community Council working in partnership with the school.
Later, the visitors were entertained by the pupil council to tea and cake, giving an opportunity for the pupils to highlight the improvements to IT in the school. They also convey their concerns around the condition of the ball park and play areas.
Peter Bird, chair of Iochdar Community Council said ‘‘We all enjoyed our visit with the pupils, they helped to choose the Green Roof shelter which sits well with their status as an Eco School.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped us with the shelter – Councillor Uisdean Robertson and the team at HITRANS, Green Roof Shelters, DJ Buchanan Haulage, Laings Garage, Macaulay Askernish and Peter Holland of PHLC.’’
Councillor Uisdean Robertson, chair of HITRANS and is a promoter of active travel and Iochdar Community Council had an opportunity to thank him personally for the funding for the shelter, received from the HITRANS Regional Active Travel Fund.
The scheme has also funded place making improvements around Iochdar including a people and cycle counter which is helping to collect data to show how people are travelling through the area.
These measures support the ongoing plans that Iochdar Community Council have to construct a shared pathway to allow people to safely make more active travel choices.
Iochdar primary school pupils benefit from new cycle shelter
19 December 2024
