Waddesdon Greenway Opening
Schoolchildren, residents, walkers and cyclists are being invited to bring their bikes to the official opening of a new traffic free route from Aylesbury to Waddesdon. The event will start at Aylesbury Vale Parkway station at 10.45am on Thursday 13 September.
And just for the day, guests using the route will have free access to Waddesdon Manor grounds.
Cutting the ribbon will be Jesse Norman, Transport Minister responsible for walking and cycling.
The Greenway trail, which follows the oldRoman Akeman Street to the National Trust property, Waddesdon Manor, allows cyclists and walkers to travel across beautiful countryside in a traffic-free environment.
It’s the outcome of a £1 million partnership between Buckinghamshire County Council, Greenways and Cycle Routes Ltd, the Cycle Rail Working Group, the Rail Delivery Group and several local landowners, including the Waddesdon Estate and Rothschild Foundation. The project has been funded by the Department for Transport as part of a scheme to connect rural communities to their nearest rail station.
Jesse Norman will meet VIPs at Marylebone and travel, with his bike, on Chiltern Railways to Aylesbury Parkway Station. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony at the start of the route, the public are being invited to join him with their own bikes on a guided trail, led by John Grimshaw CBE. A free shuttle bus to Waddesdon Manor will also be available.
The Greenway trail was completed with the help of volunteers who helped to build two bridges, fill and lay 3,000 sandbags for 25 culvert headwalls, and install benches.
Mark Shaw, County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member said: “The new Greenway trail is a great opportunity to get out of your car and use the train, your bike – and your legs – to enjoy some beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside on the way to Waddesdon Manor. Now this really does promote sustainable travel!”
Project designer John Grimshaw CBE, of Greenways and Cycle Routes, said: “We’re immensely proud to be involved in designing this trail. It has all the potential tobe a high-quality trailblazer for rural routes between villages and local rail stations.”
Phillip Darnton OBE, chair of the Cycle Rail Working Group, said: “The Waddesdon Greenway marks the first phase of our ‘Stations to Communities Links’ programme, an exciting new initiative to encourage everyone, whether cyclist or walker, to discover and enjoy their local community. This first Greenway is a brilliant start!”
Local County Councillor and Deputy Transport Cabinet Member Paul Irwin, said: “This is a milestone occasion! It’s an easy cycle ride and a lovely walk, and visitors from London will love it. So will residents from Berryfields and Waddesdon village.”
The trail also connects with the Gemstone Cycle routes and footpaths in Aylesbury. Buckinghamshire County Council and Greenways and Cycleroutes Ltd have aspirations for more walking and cycling routes to connect towns, villages, urban centres, airports and tourist attractions along the HS2 corridor.