20/10/10 - Thomas Vale Staff Ride their Bikes at Work

Thomas Vale Construction is carrying out around 30 different projects across the War Memorial Park over the next seven months. But to help its 16-strong staff to get around the 121-acre park, Thomas Vale has bought four second hand bikes.

Dave Bradshaw, Site Manager for Thomas Vale based at the War Memorial Park, said it was an idea that had worked well elsewhere.

"Until you are in the park you do not realise the size of it and it is often time consuming to move from the compound to another point in the park.

"Therefore we decided to get the bikes rather than drive a van around. Of course we still use vans if heavy tools, equipment or supplies need to be transported but otherwise we use the bikes to get around."

Dave added: "We have done this elsewhere and it was very effective so we thought we would get the bikes and do it here at the War Memorial Park."

All of the projects will be completed in phases around the park meaning important events such as next month's Remembrance Sunday service will be unaffected.

The work has been made possible thanks to a £2.8 million grant from the BIG and Heritage Lottery Funds from the Parks for People programme.

It will see a wide range of improvements including improvements to the quality of entrances and footpaths to creating a new Visitor Centre and restoring the ornamental rockery gardens and pools.

Cllr Tony Skipper, Coventry City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Sustainability and Local Infrastructure, welcomed the move.

He said: "As an authority we are trying to reduce our carbon footprint and have saved £250,000 in doing so over the last year alone.

"I think Thomas Vale's idea to use bikes when possible is a good one and something that more companies could look at if it is practical."

Cllr Abdul Khan, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Sports and Libraries, added: "This is a simple but effective idea which can make a real difference.

"More than 400,000 visitors come to the War Memorial Park every year and it is one of the jewels in Coventry's crown. Once the improvement work being carried out by Thomas Vale is completed, it will strengthen this position even more so."