Featured Posts
Walk or cycle to Waddesdon Manor with the Waddesdon Greenway
Find out more about the new route that is promising to turn the dream of a ‘car-free’ day into a reality.
As John Grimshaw Associates point out, “Waddesdon Village is tantalizingly close to Aylesbury Vale Parkway station but the heavy traffic on the A41 prevents all but the most experienced people cycling to the station.”
The Waddesdon Greenway has therefore been devised as a solution to this issue, offering a new, safe 4km pedestrian and cycling path that will link Aylesbury Vale Parkway with the village of Waddesdon and Waddesdon Manor.
Funded by the Cycle Rail Working Group and the Department for Transport, the Greenway is part of a scheme to connect rural communities to their nearest rail station. Twelve years ago, Aylesbury was chosen by the government as a cycling demonstration town, and excitingly this cycle route is the first section in the country to be completed.
With work having begun in spring this year, construction is currently looking to finish on schedule, with an official launch date of Thursday 13 September. Volunteers have played a crucial role in ensuring the timely completion of the project, offering hours of their time to aid with the construction of benches, the laying of sandbags and the building of bridges.
Set away from the A41, following a route that coincides largely with the old roman road Akeman Street, the Greenway will offer a wide, smooth path suitable for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users. The scheme coincides with Waddesdon Manor’s attempts to reduce car usage to the site, having already implemented a shuttle bus system to and from Aylesbury Vale Parkway, and opened up the grounds to cyclists. Three new bike shelters have been placed on site, which can be found in the Visitor Car Park, the Staff Car Park (situated close to the North Fountain), and in the Stables. The grounds have also recently been adapted to allow cyclists to follow the one way system along the main drive to access the Manor.
It is hoped that the Greenway will enable both local and London visitors to enjoy a ‘car-free’ day out to Waddesdon, and allow novice and advanced cyclists alike to make the most of the Buckinghamshire countryside.
Keep up to date with the latest Greenway news by following @waddesdon_grnwy on twitter.