A bridge over Reach Lode was lifted into place by crane today (Thursday 27 May).

The bridge forms part of the Lodes Way, a 14.5 km virtually traffic free public access route being created by the National Trust linking Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey and Bottisham. The bridge together with a new cycle way across Burwell Fen will be officially opened on Sunday 12 September.

Watching the lifting operation with residents of local communities, Chris Soans, Wicken Fen Property Manager said:

"Construction of the bridge has created a great deal of interest in the local communities"

"The bridge represents a significant step in the development of the Lodes Way. For the first time walkers and cyclists will be able to take a cross country route between Wicken Fen and Bottisham and explore new areas of our magnificent countryside".

The Lodes Way is being developed by the National Trust as part of the Wicken Fen Vision - a 100 year project to create a landscape scale nature reserve and green lung for Cambridgeshire and the East of England. Improving public access to the countryside for leisure, relaxation, exercise and education lies at the very heart of the Vision.

The new route will also complete the current gap in National Cycle Route (NCN) 11 from Cambridge to Ely and connects with NCN Route 51 from Cambridge to Newmarket. The route will enhance links to local villages at Upware, Wicken, Burwell, the Swaffhams, Lode, Quy and Bottisham and create a number of circular routes and trails for local residents and visitors to enjoy and explore the countryside.

The bridge and cycle path is being financed by a combination of grants from Natural England, Sustrans the UK's leading sustainable transport charity from its Connect2 £50 Million Big Lottery Fund award to develop sustainable transport links between communities, and the Department for Communities and Local Government via its Housing Growth Fund.

Designed to blend into the surrounding landscape, the bridge has gently sloping ramps providing easy access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The excavation of clay to form the access ramps will enable two wildlife ponds to be created which are being financed by waste management company, Viridor and the European Union INTERREG Climate Proof Areas Programme, of which the National Trust is a key partner.

It is anticipated that the entire Lodes Way will be completed by 2013, when a new crossing over Burwell Lode suitable for horse riders will have been constructed.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1. The Lodes Way is being developed as part of the Wicken Fen Vision, a 100 year plan by the National Trust to create a 53 sq km landscape scale nature reserve and green lung for Cambridgeshire and the East of England between Wicken Fen and the outskirts of Cambridge

2. The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation charity and looks after special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for ever, for everyone. People and places are at the heart of everything it does. 3.5 million members, 50,000 volunteers, 500,000 school children, and millions of visitors, donors and supporters help the Trust look after its 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside. www.nationaltrust.org.uk .