(Registered Charity Number: 1188324 )
A visionary project to deliver a new Greenway from Evesham to Alcester and Broom to Stratford
Route 1 – Evesham to Alcester
Salford Priors Parish Council made a brave and far sighted decision in early 2018. Through their Neighbourhood Plan process they called a meeting of adjoining parishes extending to Alcester Town Council to the north and Evesham Town Council to the south. Their purpose was to investigate the potential of developing pathways for walkers and cyclists across parish boundaries with the following objectives
- To promote safe and responsible leisure routes (e.g. cycling, walking) within and across Parish boundaries thereby improving the health and well-being of the local population
- To provide a forum for neighbouring communities establish links with safe cycle and pathway routes
- To champion and seek funding for the development of an improved infrastructure for cyclists and walkers in the area
- To provide a source of information and advice to local and visiting cyclists and walkers
- To promote tourism and encourage visiting cyclists and walkers to use local businesses
- To reduce dependency on the motor car, reduce pollution and so improve our environment
It soon became clear that there was enthusiasm for such a project among the parishes. The route would be based on the old railway line between the two towns that closed in 1962. And would run along a 10 mile spine route between Alcester and Evesham As a result of that first meeting it was agreed to set up a group and take the challenge on!
That group was comprised of representatives from the parish and town councils of Alcester, Bidford on Avon, Cleeve Prior, Evesham, Exhall, Harvington, North and Middle Littleton, Norton and Lenchwick, Offenham, Salford Priors and Wixford. It was originally called the Cross Parish Cycle and Pathways Project (CPCPP) but this was changed soon after to the Avon to Arrow Greenway Project (AAGP).
An early decision was taken to commission and fund a Feasibility Study for the project from ‘Sustrans’, the National Sustainable Transport Charity. This excellent comprehensive study has formed the basis for the work of the group since then.
We have made very significant progress over the last two years or so since then. We have properly established the organisation, gained charitable status and worked hard to start the implementation of the Sustrans Feasibility Study. From the start the AAGP’s strategy has been to progress through forming positive partnerships and we now have all Town and Parish Councils along the proposed route supporting us both in principle and financially . We are in discussions with major local landowners and have the strong backing of organisations such as the Heart of England Forest and the Avon Navigation Trust.