Green Infrastructure Latest
The key challenge of the Green Vision is to pull together such a wide variety of projects, both large and small, into one cohesive network of green spaces. View the vision on a local map to see the bigger picture. In total at least 22 new Green Corridors are proposed, 20 new or enhanced major green spaces, and six big landscape projects.
Many of the major green spaces are connected to the proposed major new developments across the county, and have been created to ensure the new residents of Cambridgeshire are served as well as existing residents in terms of green open spaces. Cambridgeshire Horizons and partners have now appointed consultants to undertake a review and second-edition of Cambridgeshire's award-winning Green Infrastructure Strategy.
As a 'living document' that is being successfully implemented, there is now a need to update the Green Infrastructure Strategy to increase geographical coverage, reflect new opportunities and initiatives and to reflect the changing planning, development, health and climate change agendas since the Strategy was launched in May 2006.
Work on the new strategy started in June 2009, and the revised Strategy is due to be completed in Spring 2011. Public consultation on the Strategy recently took place between the end of January and early March 2010. Feedback is now being reviewed to inform further work on updating the Strategy.
Reach Lode Bridge Installed
A bridge over Reach Lode was lifted into place by crane on Thursday 27 May.
The bridge forms part of the Lodes Way, a 9 mile virtually traffic-free public access route being created by the National Trust linking Wicken Fen to Anglesey Abbey and Bottisham. The Lodes Way is being developed by the National Trust as part of the Wicken Fen Vision. The bridge has gently sloping ramps providing easy access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders and the excavation of clay to form the access ramps will enable two wildlife ponds to be created - these are being financed by Viridor and the European Union INTERREG Climate Proof Areas Programme.
The bridge and cycle path will officially open in September 2010, and has been funded by a combination of grants from Natural England, Sustrans and Communities and Local Government's Housing Growth Fund, administered by Cambridgeshire Horizons.
By improving public access to the countryside for leisure, relaxation, exercise and education the route will enhance links to local villages and create a number of circular routes and trails for local residents and visitors. 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.
New education centre at Paxton Pits
The new environmental education centre for Paxton Pits Nature Reserve is progressing well, with the building assembled and internal works nearing completion. The next stage will involve creating the centre's wildlife area, which will contain examples of all the different habitats at Paxton Pits.
The work is being funded by Natural England through Defra's Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund and Community and Local Government's Housing Growth Fund, and is a project between Huntingdonshire District Council, the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough, the Friends of Paxton Pits and Cambridgeshire Horizons.
Second edition of Green Vision news published
The 2009 edition of the annual Green Vision newsletter can be viewed online here.
River Cam Habitat and Access Enhancement Project
Further work on South Cambridgeshire District Council's River Cam Habitat and Access Enhancement Project at Trumpington Meadows has taken place recently. On May 19th Wildlife Trust volunteers planted 2000 reeds to create a new reedbed habitat, which will complement the other enhancement works completed in 2009. The restoration of this stretch of the River Cam will form an important backdrop to the future delivery of the Community Riverside Park - providing a 60 hectare green space on the edge of Cambridge.