Vision Bridges the Gap

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders can now enjoy greater access to the Wicken Fen Vision area thanks to the installation of a new bridge over Swaffham Bulbeck Lode.

The bridge links rights of way on the Northern and Southern Banks of the Swaffham Bulbeck Lode and is a key element of the Wicken Fen Spine Route. The Spine Route will provide traffic free access from Waterbeach and Anglesey Abbey, a Jacobean-style country house and gardens owned by the National Trust in the South to Wicken Fen in the North.

Speaking on the installation of the bridge, Wicken Fen Communication's officer said .. . "The Swaffham Bulbeck Lode Bridge will significantly enhance public access for leisure and recreation for local residents and visitors alike. The total cost of the bridge and new half mile of bridleway will be £300,000. An official opening of the route is being planned for early July. "

The bridge, made from sustainable timber supplies has gentle access ramps and 1.8 metre high parapets to enable safe use by horse riders. The scheme also includes a new bridleway and surfaced footpath across White Fen linking up with the Docking Droveway to the South of the bridge.

The excavation of gault clay used in the construction of the access ramps will enable two new wildlife ponds to be created on the Southern side of the Lode. The ponds will have shallow margins for planting and easier access by wildlife. The planting of coppice and willow along the path and bridleway will create a new habitat for wildlife and a pleasant setting for users of the route.

The bridge and access route was funded by a Growth Area Fund grant, designed by Mott MacDonald of Cambridge and constructed by Jackson Civil Engineering of Ipswich.

A key feature of the Wicken Fen Vision is the creation of circular routes linked to the Spine Route. Improvements are planned for the river crossing at Bottisham Lock and to the bridges over Bottisham and Burwell Lodes with a new bridge planned over Reach Lode. Completion of the entire Spine Route is scheduled for 2011.

Notes

1. The Wicken Fen Vision is an ambitious plan by the National Trust to create a new nature reserve covering around 56 sq km between Cambridge and Wicken Fen
2. Enhanced public access to the countryside for recreation and leisure is a key element of the Vision.
3. The Wicken Fen Spine route received a major cash boost in December 2007 as a partner in the Sustrans Connect2 Big Lottery Fund bid. Wicken Fen received £600K which will be spent on construction of the Spine Route completing the gap in the Sustrans National Route 11 which connects Harlow, Cambridge and Ely to King's Lynn.

Further Information
For further information contact: Howard Cooper, Communications Officer, National Trust Wicken Fen Tel 01353 720274 Mobile 07826 874133 or email howard.cooper@nationaltrust.org.uk

18 April 2008