Greenway path opens to public

The Berryfields to Buckingham Park Greenway opened to the public on Wednesday, bringing a new 1.7km shared use path for walking, cycling and wheeling to Aylesbury.

Final minor works, including planting of hedges and trees, signing, and installation of seats will be completed over the next few months.

The path is part of the Gardenway project which aims to provide walking and cycling routes through landscaped corridors and parks, all to a standard that will make it a pleasure to walk, cycle or wheel around Aylesbury.

Costing around £400k and funded by Buckinghamshire Council, Department for Transport (DfT) and developer funding, the project was completed in just six weeks.

Speaking at the launch of the Greenway, Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

"Before the opening of this Greenway, you only had the choice of using the shared path running next to Martin Dalby Way – which is a busy road – or using a path by the River Thame which was prone to flooding. Now this wide path with its hard standing and gentle gradient is a much more attractive and accessible proposition for walking, cycling and wheeling.

"As well as linking Buckingham Park and Berryfields, the route means there is now a traffic-free connection which leads all the way from Buckingham Park into Aylesbury Vale Parkway station. The route also opens up access to the Waddesdon Greenway leading to Waddesdon Manor and also links into the Platinum and Ruby Way Gemstone routes."

Steven added:

"Creating these greenways makes it easy and enjoyable for people to walk and cycle which is great for both mental and physical health. It also makes it easier for people to make low-carbon journeys by active travel, train and bus.

"Over the winter we will be working with local groups to plant up hedges and small woodland areas along the path; and in the spring we will be tidying up the verges so that they are level for mowing."

The Berryfields to Buckingham Greenway project has been led by Buckinghamshire Council working in partnership with Greenways and Cycle routes, a charity which works to deliver new active travel routes across the country.

The council has also worked closely with the Buckinghamshire Conservation Trust – landowner of most of the route.

The project has been delivered under budget and in record time, with construction work completed in just six weeks. The approximately £400k scheme was funded by Buckinghamshire Council, Department for Transport (DfT) and developer funding.

Go to the council's website for more information on the new Greenway.