Biggleswade Green Wheel for Many Years - and We Have a Lot to Thank Them For

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Enjoy the Through the Biggleswade P3 group and the Ivel Valley Conservation Volunteers, some local residents have been involved in caring for the local environment Biggleswade Green Wheel for many years - and we have a lot to thank them for. We would now like to increase the level of volunteer activity through a ‘Friends of Biggleswade Green Wheel’ group. This group will initially be led by BRCC and will liaise with the other Green Wheel partners to coordinate volunteer input. The group may in time undertake wider fundraising and enhancement activities. Central Bedfordshire Council is responsible for keeping the Public Rights of Way around the Green Wheel open. However, to maximise enjoyment of the route and its associated sites, additional support is sought for a range of activities. In particular, we are looking for volunteers who could:

adopt a help join a group section of the with practical to help coordinate route as a Warden, tasks such as tree, activities, promote the monitoring its condition hedge and bulb planting; route and associated and reporting either individually or events; and plan further problems with occasional enhancements around work parties the Wheel

If you would like more information about volunteering to care for and improve the Green The Wheel, either individually or as part of a group, please: Biggleswade Green Email: [email protected] Wheel is a walking and cycling Call: 01234 832617 route around the town, passing Web: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/biggleswadegreenwheel through areas of landscape, heritage and Visit: Friends of Biggleswade Green Wheel on Facebook wildlife interest. Much of the Green Wheel The production of this leaflet has been funded by Biggleswade P3 – a group of local residents is now in place and able to be used, with who for over 20 years have worked to improve access to our local countryside. remaining sections due be completed over the We are very grateful for their support. next year or two. Start enjoying the Green Wheel now, but remember to look out for further route improvements

BRCC and a new leaflet. Version 1 | 2015 Copyright © Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity, 2015 | Design: BRCC Creative Services Ltd | bedsrcc.org.uk Photography: Friends of Biggleswade Green Wheel | Copyright © 2015

About the Wheel Countryside In addition to the paths which form the wheel, The Biggleswade Green Wheel has been developed a wide range of green spaces, attractive views, Code Please respect over recent years as a result of groups and heritage sites and amenities add to the enjoyment all users of the individuals calling for more, better quality, of the route. Respect other people: opportunities to walk and cycle in the local area. Consider the Green Wheel Having a ‘wheel’ around the town, with a number of To the north of the town, Biggleswade Common, local community, ‘spokes’ leading from the ‘hub’ of the town enables the largest area of Common Land in the county, landowners and other Walkers & Joggers: people to access the route close to their homes and provides over 300 acres of attractive grazing people enjoying the Allow cyclists to pass. meadows; and links to both the RSPB’s Lodge outdoors follow the whole wheel, or just part of it. If you have a dog, nature reserve; and a new walkers’ route through Leave gates and please keep it away BRCC and Central Bedfordshire Council - with the Manor Farm Fishery, west of the River Ivel. property as you find from other users and support from Biggleswade Town Council and in them and follow paths always clean up after conjunction with local landowners - have created To the east, the emerging ‘Linear Park’ of the unless wider access is it. new paths and upgraded existing routes to create King’s Reach development will compliment the available a complete circuit. At present, the entire route Saxon Drive Linear Woods. A footpath provides a Cyclists: can be walked, and much of it can also be cycled. walkers link from this section of the Green Wheel Protect the natural environment: Use your bell or say It is hoped that over the next year or 2, further to the newly planted Jubilee Wood and BRCC ‘excuse me’ when enhancements can be made to create a continuous Diamond Jubilee Orchard at Kennel Farm. Leave no trace of your approaching others. cycling route. visit and take your To the south, Holme Green Wood provides an litter home Keep your speed down, Much of the route is on off-road paths which important landscape and habitat feature within a pass other users wide Keep dogs under have been created to provide a good walking and and slowly; and be predominantly arable setting. effective control cycling surface while blending into the natural prepared to stop if needed. setting. To the west, the River Ivel and its associated mills Enjoy the outdoors: and wildlife provides an attractive corridor, as well Ride in single file when At present, the main rim of the Green Wheel is 7.5m as a new link west towards Shuttleworth. Plan ahead and be near other users. / 12km, with the longer walkers option including prepared Biggleswade Common being 8.75m / 14km. Get out, get fit - have fun! Follow advice and local signs We expect this level crossing to be replaced by a bridge in a few years’ time. In the meantime, please follow the instructions on the signs to ensure a safe crossing.

While the King’s Reach estate is being constructed, please follow any signposted diversions.

Currently there is no route for cycling north from Mill Lane to the Dan Albone car park. We hope to provide an off-road route in the coming years, but in the meantime please take great care when using Shortmead Street.

Key to map

Green Wheel Route Cycling and walking Green Wheel Route Walking only Green Wheel links Cycling and walking Green Wheel links Walking only Promoted cycle route Traffic-free cycle path Bridleway Footpath We expect this level crossing to be Take care at these junctions The surface replaced by a bridge in National Cycle Network of this track route number is due to be a few years’ time. In One way improved in the the meantime, please follow the instructions on Railway with station next year. the signs to ensure a Crossing safe crossing. Level crossing Hospital Accessible green space Formal green space Woodland