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Press Release
Wicken Fen Spine Route
National Trust appoints Consultants for new Reach Lode Crossing
The National Trust have appointed Peterborough based engineering and environmental consultants, Royal Haskoning, to project manage the planning, design and to supervise construction of a new bridge over Reach Lode.
The installation of the new bridge will complete the next link in the Wicken Fen Spine Route enabling walkers and cyclists to travel directly from Bottisham Lode and Anglesey Abbey in the South to Wicken Fen without having to take a route via Upware or Burwell. A series of circular routes for users will follow.
The creation of the Spine Route will enhance public access to the countryside and is a key element of the National Trust's Wicken Fen Vision to provide a "green lung" for Cambridgeshire and the East of England. Launched in 1999 the Vision is a 100 year plan for the creation of a landscape scale nature reserve covering around 56 sq km (22 sq miles) between Cambridge and the existing Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve. The new reserve will attract and help conserve many threatened and endangered species of wildlife, whilst significantly enhancing public access to the countryside for leisure, recreation, exercise and education.
Royal Haskoning will be responsible for the design of the bridge and approach embankments and for the completion of environmental assessments required as part of the planning process. The bridge will have a 19 metre span and a minimum height of 3 metres above the waterline to provide clearance for vessels navigating along Reach Lode. Construction of the bridge is scheduled to start in Summer 2009 and will be financed from the successful National Trust / Sustrans Connect2 Big Lottery award.
Earlier this year the National Trust opened a new bridge over Swaffham Bulbeck Lode which is proving extremely popular with walkers, cyclists and horseriders accessing the Vision lands.
Plans are in hand for the existing crossing of the River Cam at Bottisham Lock to be enhanced in order to provide easier access for walkers and cyclists. Discussions are also being held with the Environment Agency with a view to the modernisation or replacement of the existing bridge over Burwell Lode.
Besides dramatically improving public access to the countryside the Wicken Fen Spine route will also complete the missing link in the Sustrans National Cycle Route 11 and will enable direct cycle access from Cambridge to Ely when completed.
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Notes to Editors
 | Further information on the Wicken Fen Vision can be found on this web site. |
| The National Trust is Europe's biggest conservation organisation 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 300 historic houses and gardens, 700 miles of coastline and 250,000 hectares of open countryside - see www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
| Royal Haskoning is an engineering and environmental consultancy with 4,300 employees, operating, worldwide. Headquartered in the Netherlands, it provides a range of consulting services to both public and private organisations focusing on the sustainable interaction between people and their environment. Its specialist areas include infrastructure and buildings, marine, coastal & river developments, transport and planning, as well as the environment. |
Further Information
For further information please contact: Howard Cooper, Communications
Officer, Wicken Fen Tel 01353 720274 Mobile 07826 874133 or howard.cooper@nationaltrust.org.uk
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