A FORDINGBRIDGE-based business that keeps the wheels of enterprise turning has been rewarded for its environmentally-friendly efforts.

Cycle hire business Country Lanes has won the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise 2005 for its outstanding contribution to sustainable development.

Owner Susan Achmatowicz said: "This is the highest award that can be bestowed on a UK company, so we are thrilled to receive this honour," said Susan.

The Canadian-born former City banker set up Country Lanes in Fordingbridge in 1993 operating a fleet of hire cycles from Sandy Balls holiday estate at Godshill.

The business expanded to Brockenhurst station, operating out of a railway carriage.

It continued to grow, but the outbreak of foot and mouth disease took its toll in 2001 when she had to make all 11 staff redundant.

Compensation money was used to redevelop the business as a franchising operation with franchisees buying into five-year contracts.

She and partners Max Tyler and Jonathan Hitchman have franchised out operating centres at Brockenhurst and in the Cotswolds, but have a wholly-owned centre at Windermere in the Lake District.

A new franchise is soon to open in the Yorkshire Dales and she is currently in discussion with British Waterways, the National Trust, Crown Estates and other National Parks with a view to opening up branches of Country Lanes.

Her three-year strategic plan is to have a Country Lanes franchise on the Isle of Wight and in every one of England's National Parks.

Ethos behind the operation is to deliver the benefits of tourism without the damaging effects of road traffic congestion and pollution and the overcrowding of historic attractions, natural beauty spots and quiet villages.

Basing franchises in railway stations encourages hirers to let the train take the strain, allowing access to non-motorists and encouraging car-free tourism.

Country Lanes estimates that 85 per cent of their customers travel by rail and explore by bike.

That, they say eliminates 1,000,000 car miles annually and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 328 tonnes a year.

First published: May 9