The Council is committed to making changes across all our services to play our part to tackle the Climate Emergency and it is one of the Council’s seven key priorities, as set out in our Stronger Futures plan.

The objectives that underpin this priority include:

• Reducing the carbon footprint of the Council

• Support the decarbonisation of energy, industry and business

• Improve sustainable transport and infrastructure

• Enable low carbon buildings, homes and development

• Enhancing green spaces

• Reduce waste and increase recycling

As an organisation we have a target to be carbon neutral by 2030 and are leading by example to help the borough to be carbon neutral by 2045.

Below are some examples of the work we’ve done so far to help achieve this

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Road Safety team has had its busiest year yet for cycle training, with over 3,000 children taking the opportunity to do courses at school through Bikeability.

Bikeability training, delivered for the Council’s Road Safety team by BikeRight, has trained 3,392 children, 28 adults (through family courses) and 265 children with special educational needs.

Feedback during the last year has highlighted the exceptional quality of Bikeability training, from a seamless booking process to outstanding instructors who worked excellently with children.

Schools, such as Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ellesmere Port, praised the program for boosting students’ confidence and promoting cycling, describing it as invaluable and enjoyable.

Individual sessions, like those at the New Images Youth Centre in Winsford, showcased significant progress, with children overcoming initial nerves and learning to ride confidently, leaving both parents and participants highly impressed.

Overall, training sessions consistently delivered a first-class experience that combined fun, skill-building, and accessibility.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said: “I’m so pleased to hear how well our cycle training has gone this last year. Feedback received from schools has highlighted the confidence that the training gives children and the improvement in their cycling skills.

“Learn to Ride sessions during school holiday periods have also enabled many more children to ride independently.

“It’s amazing that instructors have travelled over 3,289 miles delivering the courses. A big thank you and well done to everyone involved this year.”

As part of the borough’s plan to tackle the Climate Emergency and create greener communities the Council is encouraging residents in the borough to consider different modes of transport, especially when making short journeys such as those to and from school.

Cycling, wheeling or walking to school is a great way to build activity into the whole family’s routine, boost mental health and wellbeing, help us connect to our local environment and ease congestion outside the school gates.

Schools can find out more if they are interested in arranging Bikeability training for pupils at their school, free of charge, at: BikeRight · Cheshire West and Chester. Bikeability is funded by Active Travel England.

Adults and family training is also available for residents of the borough, more information is on the BikeRight website.

View a video below about Bikeability training that pupils at Wharton Church of England Primary School took part in recently.

Warm Homes Grant funding is expected to be available until 31 March 2028 in west Cheshire for home insulation and renewables such as heat pumps and solar panels. The grant has been made possible by funding from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

Grants are available for homes which have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that is Band D, E, F or G. You can check on the Energy Performance Certificate Register for your address. If your property doesn't have a certificate, we can help you to arrange one if you qualify for this scheme.

The amount of grant you can apply for varies depending on your property and the type of work that is needed. Homeowners are typically not expected to pay anything towards the scheme unless building repairs are needed before the insulation or renewables can be installed. In private rented properties, the landlord is expected to make a minimum 50 per cent contribution to the scheme after the first property.

Typical improvements to your home that may be carried out using the grant, include:

• solid wall insulation (internal or external)
• cavity wall insulation
• loft, room-in-roof and flat roof insulation
• under-floor insulation
• heat pump
• solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for electricity generation
• high heat retention electric storage heaters, where a heat pump isn't suitable
• heating controls.

The target is for the energy efficiency measures to improve your EPC rating by at least two bands - for example, if your home is Band E, it should reach Band C or above with the planned improvements.

To qualify, you must be a homeowner who is living in the property as their main residence, or a private tenant, and meet the income criteria listed below.

• You receive an income related benefit (for example, Universal Credit, Pension Credit Guarantee, Council Tax Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Tax Credits), or
• Your total household income before tax, National Insurance and other deductions is no more than £36,000, or
• Your total household income before tax, National Insurance and other deductions is no more than £20,000 after your housing costs have been deducted (by housing costs, we mean mortgage payments, rent payments and Council Tax).

When we calculate your household income, we will ignore any disability benefits (such as Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance) so this will not count towards your household income.

If you think you may be eligible please contact: homeenergy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

A member of the Council’s Climate Change Team will contact you to confirm your eligibility (we will ask you to provide us with documents to confirm your income) and explain the next steps.

Bike Week 2025 takes place from 9 – 15 June, marking the UK’s biggest celebration of cycling. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or haven’t cycled for years, this week is all about embracing the joy of riding and discovering the many benefits it brings.

The Benefits of Cycling

Cycling is more than just a mode of transport— it can help improve your health, create greener communities, and cut noise and air pollution whilst saving you time and money. Here’s why getting on your bike is a great idea.

Health and wellbeing: Regular cycling improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles, and boosts mental health.

Make connections: Cycling can be a great way to connect with others in your community, whether through group rides or simply chatting with fellow cyclists.

Environmental impact: Switching short journeys from the car to a bike will help reduce air pollution and congestion in your area.

Time and money saving: Short journeys by bike may be quicker than going by car, with no fuel and parking to pay.

Helping the borough reach its carbon goals: West Cheshire aims to become a carbon-neutral borough by 2045. Switching some car journeys to go by bike can help us achieve this.

Support to get you on your bike

Cheshire West and Chester Council encourages residents to cycle more and offer Bikeability training with our cycle training partner BikeRight!, ensuring that both children and families gain the skills and confidence to ride safely.

Bikeability training is available for schools and families in west Cheshire, helping riders of all ages develop essential cycling skills. Schools can request free Bikeability training, covering levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as Bikeability Plus Balance and Learn to Ride courses. Fully funded family cycle training is also offered, providing tailored sessions to help parents and children ride confidently together.



Adults can also improve their skills and confidence when they ride through tailored training, with three levels offered; basic for beginners, urban and advanced – all fully funded.

Find out more on the Council’s website

Inclusive cycling

Wheels for All is an Inclusive Cycling programme that embraces all children and adults with disabilities and differing needs to engage with quality cycling activity, using adapted cycles such as handcycles, trikes and wheelchair transporter to assist in building confidence and independence in cycling. Wheels for All in Marbury Country Park has a variety of adapted bikes, which you can try out in a fun and safe environment, situated close to the village of Comberbach several miles north of Northwich.

Find out more on the Wheels for All website.

Get Involved

There are lots of resources on Cycling UK’s website to help you get out on your bike this Bike Week.

How to swap short car journeys for cycling | Cycling UK

How to encourage family and friends to start cycling | Cycling UK

Advice for beginners | Cycling UK

By making cycling a regular part of life, we can improve health, strengthen communities, reduce pollution, and help the borough become carbon neutral by 2045.

Share your stories about getting out on your bike in the borough over on our Climate Emergency Inspire Hub under the ‘Your Stories’ section.

The Council is encouraging residents in the borough to make a pledge to reduce their carbon footprint or share details of sustainable actions they've already done for a chance to be entered into a prize draw to win an annual family pass to Cheshire Wildlife Trust or the RSPB.

The team will be attending the Chester Green Weekend in Deans Field on the 7 and 8 June,and Winsford Party in the Park event on Saturday 21 June in Winsford Town Park, where you can share details of your pledge or action and enter the competition.

Alternatively add details to the 'Your Story' on our Climate Emergency Inspire Hub.

Entries must be uploaded by Thursday, 31 July 2025 to be included in the prize draw.

This competition is free to enter. The information you have provided will only be used in respect of this competition. The winning entry will be drawn in August 2025 and will be contacted by email. The prize is not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be redeemed for cash.

Some of the actions and pledges made already include:

• Use more leftovers
• Use my tumble dryer less
• Meal plan
• Embrace circular fashion
• Sell and buy pre-loved clothes
• Recycle anything that won't break down by giving it a new use
• I plan to have a digital detox, taking time away from electricals to help cut down my carbon footprint
• Set myself a target to keep my showers to 4 minutes or less
• One meatless day per week
• Grow my own greens
• Walk to local destinations instead of using the car
• Turn lights off and unplug after me

National Bee Day takes place each summer on 20 May and provides a great opportunity to highlight the importance of bees and other important pollinators.

The British Bee Keepers Association highlights the urgent need to protect the pollinators responsible for around 75% of global food crop production.

Beyond agriculture, bees play a vital role in maintaining the health and diversity of natural ecosystems. They pollinate countless wildflowers and other plant species, ensuring the continuation of plant life that provides food and shelter for wildlife.

They also provide a range of valuable raw materials for humans to use, such as honey, beeswax and propolis, a resinous substance, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is used in traditional medicine.

How the Council is working with bee keepers on a local woodland site

In 2024, the Council started a pilot project to see if the Council's newly planted woodlands could be used for beekeeping. The project aimed to learn whether small scale honey production could provide a small income for woodland owners and help to boost pollinator numbers were wild bee populations were low. The project will also help improve the establishment of wildflower meadows in our new woodlands by increasing pollination and, as a result, creation of seeds to improve wildflower density.

In addition to this work, the Council has also introduced 180 wildflower meadows across the borough providing excellent foraging habitat for local bees.

You can read more about the beekeeping pilot on the link below:

Our woodlands: pilot beekeeping project success | Climate Emergency | Participate Now

You can also view a video below which shows local bee keeper, Peter, talking about re-homing swarms of bees on one of the Council's woodland sites and what we can all do to help them.

How to support bees

• Plant bee friendly plants in your garden - you could also replace sections of lawns with wildflower meadows. If you don’t have much space, plant bee-friendly blooms in window boxes and flowering pots. The Bee Keepers Association has some great blogs on planting for bees throughout the seasons on their website.
• Cut grass less often - let some patches of the garden grow wild.
• Provide them with a drink - create a small drinking pond with rocks in so they can land and have some water. Visit Friends of the Earth website for instructions.
• Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots – you could even build a bee hotel. The Wildlife Trust has instructions on its website.
• Go chemical-free in your garden – the effects of using pesticides is having a detrimental effect on bees, so go without. The Wildlife Trust has great guidance on gardening chemical free.

Report sightings of yellow-legged Asian hornets

The British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) plea this World Bee Day 2025 is for public support to report the growing threat of yellow-legged Asian hornets (YLH).

Yellowed legged Asian hornet (The British Bee Keepers Association)

A single yellow-legged Asian hornet (YLH) nest can consume the equivalent of 90,000 honey bees every year? That’s roughly 11kg of insects — the weight of a large sack of potatoes.

The BBKA are urging people across the UK to learn how to recognise and report sightings of the yellow-legged Asian hornet. They suggest following three simple steps to help stop the spread: See It. Snap It. App It.

● See It – Look for a black-bodied hornet with an orange face, bright yellow ‘socks’ and a single orange band near the tail.

● Snap It – Take a clear photo, from a safe distance.

● App It – Report sightings using the Asian Hornet Watch app (Apple/Android) or at www.nonnativespecies.org

Once reported, the National Bee Unit (NBU) reviews the photo and if the ID is confirmed, trained teams are dispatched to track, locate and destroy nests before they can spread.

Find out more - 'Yellow Legged' Asian Hornet | British Beekeepers Association

May is National Walking Month - the perfect time to celebrate the simple yet powerful act of walking and wheeling. With benefits for your health, the planet, and your wallet, walking and wheeling more can help you and your community.

Living Streets, the charity that organises the annual event, is asking people to #Try20 and walk for 20 minutes every day during the month.

Visit their website for their 20 tips to introduce 20 minutes of walking and wheeling into your day.

Introducing this daily habit can provide lots of benefits.

Improve your health and wellbeing

Walking or wheeling is one of the easiest ways to improve physical and mental wellbeing. Just 20 minutes of walking a day can help reduce the risk of heart disease, improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles, and boost mental clarity. Unlike intensive workouts, walking or wheeling is gentle on joints and accessible to all fitness levels. Being out in the fresh air and closer to nature also help lower stress and enhance mood—making every step a stride toward better wellbeing.

Cut your carbon footprint

Transport is one of the biggest contributors to carbon emissions, with car use significantly increasing pollution. By swapping short car journeys for walking, individuals can actively reduce their environmental impact. Walking short journeys instead of driving helps to cut emissions and decreases air pollution, leading to cleaner, healthier communities. Choosing to walk or wheel more, whether to work, the shops, or social events, is one way we can all play our part to help west Cheshire become a net zero borough by 2045.

Save money while you walk

Not only does walking or wheeling require zero fuel, but it also reduces transportation costs—whether on petrol, parking, or public transport fares. Regularly walking or wheeling instead of using motorised transport saves money on expenses while reducing wear on vehicles.

National Walk to School Week – 19 – 23 May

National Walk to School Week takes place within National Walking Month. One of the most impactful ways to reduce congestion and pollution while supporting children’s health is walking to and from school. Traffic can increase in our communities during school drop-off and pick-up times, increasing air pollution and safety risks. Encouraging walking or wheeling helps with the following benefits.

• Improve health and wellbeing: Walking daily helps children stay active, promoting stronger bones, muscles, and mental wellbeing.
• Reduce congestion outside schools: Fewer cars mean safer routes for children and cleaner air in school neighbourhoods.
• Enhance independence and social skills: Walking allows children to explore their surroundings and engage with friends.
• Create greener, healthier communities: Less traffic and pollution make school environments more pleasant for students and residents.

Parents can encourage walking by arranging walking groups, setting safe routes, and making walking a fun and rewarding habit. Schools can support initiatives by providing incentives for pupils who regularly walk, making the journey to school an exciting and social event.

There are lots of resources on the Living Streets website for both schools and families.

Let’s Walk - pedestrian training

The Council’s Road Safety Team run a child pedestrian training programme for local schools called Let’s Walk, which aims to prepare children to become safer, independent pedestrians by teaching them essential road crossing skills at the roadside.

Children in year 3 and 4 can take part in the programme which consists of a theory classroom session with the activity books provided, followed by two one-hour practical roadside training sessions per small group of children (ten or less). This is led by volunteer instructors from school or local PCSOs who will be fully trained and supported by the Road Safety team.

All children will also receive an activity book filled with fun things to complete, that cover the eight Steps of Crossing the Road, Walking Straight Across the Road, Safer Crossing Places, Crossing in Difficult Places, Busy and Quiet Roads, Stopping Distances, Planning Safer Routes, and Finding a Safer Place to Play.

The aim of the course is to encourage children and parents to walk safely to school and therefore reduce traffic and congestion at the school gate.

If your school is interested in getting involved, please email: roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk for further information.

The zoo - an international conservation charity - has been awarded £4,073,372 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support its Networks for Nature initiative, an ambitious project to restore wildlife habitats across the region.

The funds will be used to create or restore 20 ponds, nearly 3,000 metres of hedgerow and more than 100 hectares of habitat. The grant will also be used to engage 4,500 students in year-long school projects to improve school grounds for wildlife and people, and train 90 young people through an environmental leadership course.

Made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the money will help the zoo to fund 14 new jobs, work closely with 18 community groups to improve their outdoor spaces for natural heritage, and continue to support a network of trained ‘Wildlife Champions’.

The project is being led by the conservation-focussed zoo, in partnership with a host of other organisations including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the Canal and River Trust, Sustrans and The Land Trust.

Hannah Brooks, Senior Community Participation & Engagement Manager at Chester Zoo, said The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant was a massive boost for the project.

She said: “As a charity we’re so grateful that this funding has come through. This is an exciting moment for the project. There has been a lot of work behind-the-scenes to bring people together and find out what these community groups need to take action to improve spaces for wildlife and people.

“Now, we will be able to support people to make real change across a vast landscape. This could really transform things for the environment in Cheshire and for the people who live here.

“Individual action can be difficult, but collectively we can inspire each other and provide a network that will keep having impact long into the future.”

The ultimate aim of the project is to create a thriving landscape for people and wildlife. This involves creating community nature spaces, reviving wetland areas to support amphibian and bird species, and improving existing nature parks.

Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We’re delighted to support Chester Zoo’s Networks to Nature project thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. The project has already made significant progress towards creating a thriving, wildlife-rich landscape that will not only aid nature recovery but also reap many benefits for people across Cheshire.

“It is vital that we value, rebuild and protect our natural heritage so it is sustained for the future, and we are excited to see the zoo and its communities taking forward this shared ambition in new and innovative ways.”

Since the foundations of the project were put in place, the zoo has championed green initiatives in schools, held networking events for local community groups, trained ‘Wildlife Champions’ in practical skills, and coordinated work to establish wellbeing walking routes within the improved area.

To do this, organisers have been linking up community groups across the region and delivering conservation workshops. The National Lottery Heritage Fund windfall will help this work go further.

Farhan Patel from Stamford Street Allotment Society in Ellesmere Port has attended many of the sessions.

He said: “Through working with the network, I have discovered methods for creating a haven for nature, promoting biodiversity, and encouraging habitats for hedgehogs and other animals that feed on slugs - eliminating the need for chemical pest control, which can have harmful effects on wildlife.

“Recently, we have decided to convert some of our well-maintained lawns into wildflower meadows to attract and support pollinators. As a committee, we understand that a commitment to nature is not static but an ongoing process of adaptation and growth. We are excited to attend more sessions and continue learning how to encourage wildlife to thrive in Ellesmere Port.”

The project has also benefitted from funding from the Westminster Foundation, Lord Leverhulme's Charitable Trust, Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust and Sykes Cottages.

However, with the full budget for this ambitious plan at more than £5 million, the not-for-profit zoo is seeking more support. Find out more at www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-science-education/global-conservation-programmes/conservation-campaigns/networks-for-nature.

To get involved, contact ukwildlife@chesterzoo.org

A bus passenger survey in England has shown an increase in satisfaction across Cheshire West and Chester.

On Monday 24 March, the second Enhanced Partnership Annual General Meeting took place, inviting local bus operators, the Department for Transport and stakeholders to discuss issues and opportunities relevant to the bus network.

An interim update on bus journey satisfaction was shared, highlighting that passengers in Cheshire West and Chester have said they are more satisfied with their journeys since last year.

Commissioned in January 2023, the Your Bus Journey passenger satisfaction survey from Transport Focus is one of the largest undertaken, including 39 local transport authority areas in England (outside of London), speaking to 41,000 passengers about their overall satisfaction with their journey. The final results have now been released by Transport Focus and confirm improvements have been made.

The borough’s final results are consistently above the national average (across participating Local Transport Authorities).

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, and Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “This is excellent news, as we continue to implement our Bus Service Improvement Plan. These results show that positive changes have been made.”

In 2024, overall bus journey satisfaction (% of fairly and very satisfied responses) across Cheshire West and Chester has risen to 87%, from 81% in 2023. This figure is 3% away from the Council’s Bus Service Improvement Plan target of 90% by 2026/27.

The target of 90% would capitalise on the borough’s higher than average performance, and take it to amongst the highest recorded levels of performance in the country according to Transport Focus’ most recent Your Bus Journey survey.

Cllr Gittins added: “Increasing further towards a 92% target in 2029/30 would recapture some of the higher levels of performance recorded prior to the pandemic and represent a return to previous high levels of quality and service.”

Bus journey satisfaction can be further broken down into satisfaction metrics. In 2024, satisfaction with the bus stop where passengers caught the bus was 83%, compared to 80% in 2023.

The length of time waiting for the bus 79%, compared to 69% in 2023. Punctuality of bus at the stop 82%, compared to 72% in 2023.

Bus driver 91%, compared to 88% in 2023 and the length of time the journey on bus took 86%, compared to 84% in 2023.

Overall value for money for bus journeys across the borough in 2024 was 77%, compared to 73% in 2023.

Matt Davies, Managing Director, Stagecoach MCSL commented: “Stagecoach works with the Council as part of the Enhanced Partnership and we are delighted that our customer satisfaction score has improved along with the overall score for the Cheshire West area. These improvements demonstrate a real commitment from all involved to make bus travel a more enjoyable experience for the people of the area.”

A spokesperson for Arriva said: "Arriva is delighted with the results of the Your Bus Journey survey for Cheshire West & Chester. These findings highlight the success of the Enhanced Partnership, which has brought together operators and the local authority to improve bus services across the region.

"We are particularly pleased to see improvements in punctuality—an area we have been committed to enhancing.

"With further service improvements set to roll out later this year, we remain dedicated to delivering a reliable, efficient and customer-focused bus network for our passengers."

For more information please visit:

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/transport-and-roads/public-transport/bus-service-improvement-plan-for-cheshire-west-and-chester