During a launch event to officially announce the new partnership with the Perth based school, Scotland’s Railway handed over 21 reconditioned bikes for pupils to use. These were accompanied by accessories for each of the bikes, kindly donated by Story Contracting.
It follows on from work carried out by the off-track maintenance team from the Perth Maintenance Base, who over the summer upgraded and revamped areas within the playground.
Pupils also received a rail safety talk to learn more about the dangers of the railway with the school being so close to the track.
The community partnership was forged with the maintenance base after a pilot scheme had proved so beneficial last year between the Glasgow Delivery Unit and St Roch’s Primary School in Glasgow.
The Perth team were given the opportunity to vote for a school local to their base to receive the partnership and Letham Primary was nominated.
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Lee Ross, Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Manager for Scotland’s Railway, said: "We’re thrilled to be formalising the community partnership with Letham Primary School after they were so deservedly chosen by our colleagues.
"We are grateful to the many people in the school community and our Scotland’s Railway colleagues who have been pivotal in building the relationship up until now.
"We are confident that the partnership will create exciting opportunities in the coming months and we are looking at the different ways we can offer support to the pupils, the school and the wider community now and in the future."
Jo White, Head Teacher at Letham Primary School, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Network Rail who are kindly giving up their time and resources to improve our outdoor spaces. The partnership is benefitting our children in so many ways; increased knowledge about rail safety, having their voice heard in planned developments and being able to engage and enjoy a range of outdoor spaces for learning and play."
Craig Lafferty, Operations Director (Scotland) for Story Contracting, said: "Story are proud to support Network Rail’s exciting new partnership with Letham Primary School by providing the delivery of the newly renovated bicycles and the donation of cycle safety kits. It’s great to witness the positive impact it will have on the well-being of the pupils and we’re looking forward to seeing the partnership grow, having supported the initiative for the past three years."
The community partnership will provide an opportunity to promote safety around the railway.
It will also enable young people to participate in STEM activities while encouraging them to learn more about technology and engineering and to think about the possibilities beyond their school years.
Scotland’s Railway staff will volunteer their time and expertise to support the school community with practical skills and assistance. The next task will be to create a sensory walkway within the playground.
