Green light for new 'greenway'

The Buckinghamshire Council scheme will provide a valuable link between Aylesbury's extensive cycle network and the popular Waddesdon Greenway, already enjoyed by more than 150,000 walkers and cyclists since opening in summer 2018.

The two-thirds-of-a-mile 'greenway' link, funded by a £400,000 grant from the Department for Transport and the sustainable travel charity, Sustrans, will eventually create a dedicated cycle route from the centre of Aylesbury to Waddesdon Manor and village.

Now that the scheme has been given planning permission, the design and fabrication of two new bridges needed to take the 'greenway' across the River Thame and a couple of streams, can begin off site.

The route will be cleared of vegetation during winter, to avoid the nesting season, ready for four months of construction to start in April 2021.

Nick Naylor, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said that while Waddesdon Greenway provided an excellent route for leisure and commuting, its use beyond a purely ‘leisure route' was limited by the absence of a similar route into nearby employment areas and the town centre.

The approval of Berryfields Parish Council’s plans for a 'Roman Park' leisure area, near Aylesbury Vale Parkway station, he said provided an opportunity to ‘extend’ Waddesdon Greenway to the town, and the Haydon Hill 'greenway' forms the missing gap in this route.

"The new link will make a much easier and safer cycle ride, and walking will be much more pleasant," said Nick. "In the light of a national post-Covid19 desire for greener and healthier ways to get around, I'm really pleased we're forging ahead with these plans."

Clive Harriss, Cabinet Member for Sport and Leisure, and Cycle Champion for Aylesbury Garden Town, said: "What a great asset this will be to our residents! It'll help towards realising our vision that people will choose to walk, cycle or use public transport for everyday journeys."