Construction has begun on a new crossing over Reach Lode, the missing link in a new public access route being developed by the National Trust between Wicken Fen, Anglesey Abbey and Bottisham.

The contract for design and construction of the bridge has been awarded to civil engineering contractors BAM Nuttall. The new crossing is being funded by a grant from Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, the Department for Communities and Local Government and Natural England.

The bridge has been designed to blend into the surrounding landscape with 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.

The new crossing is part of a new 14.5 km public access route which is to be called the Lodes Way. The name was chosen by the Project Steering Group, which includes representatives of local communities and users and reflects the fact that the route crosses a number of historic local waterways, known as Lodes.

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 Lodes Way will 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.