A search to find out what you think of an iconic new landmark project for the East of England has been launched today.

The Bridge of Reeds project will provide a green lung for Cambridge, a unique leisure resource for residents of the Cambridge sub-region and beyond and a strong landmark at the centre of the East of England. The project is one of four that received funding for feasibility studies following the East of England Development Agency’s landmark east ideas competition. The team is now carrying out public consultation to find out what you think about the proposals.

Today (15^th March) the project team has launched an online poll at www.bridgeofreeds.org.uk. The poll aims to make participants consider all aspects of the project by putting forward a series of arguments supporting or opposing the proposals then quizzing them on their views. A postal survey has been sent to a number of residents in Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire, East Cambridgeshire and Forest Heath.

During March a leaflet with more information about the proposals will be delivered to residents within an eight-mile radius of the centre of the project site – an area covering Cambridge to the south, Stretham to the north, Girton to the west and Newmarket to the east.

Two public consultation workshops were held at the end of January; one for residents of Fen Ditton and Stow-cum-Quy, the other with residents of Cambridge and nearby villages. Comments at the workshops included, ““I think the bridge looks stunning. Aesthetically it’s incredible”,” There’s so much more to it than just the bridge”,

“I think the proposal is very good. At the moment the A14 is cutting off the pedestrians and cyclists, especially the cyclists, from the countryside.”, “It’s fentastic!”

Philip Broadbent-Yale, National Trust Area Manager for Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, said, “The comments we received at the public consultation workshops were very encouraging. There was a lot of excitement about the project, particularly the opportunities it will provide for residents to get out and explore the countryside on their bikes, on foot or on horseback. We really do want to hear the views of a wide range of residents and welcome everyone to complete our online poll. If you do receive a questionnaire please do fill it in so we can take your views into account. All the feedback we receive will help us to plan for the future and make our plans more closely match what residents tell us matters to them. ”

Project details

There are four project elements:

• An inspirational landmark -the Bridge of Reeds- over the A14 north east of Cambridge. The bridge will capture the energy and grace of windblown reeds and birds in flight. The 54 metre (177ft) high steel bridge, which will be passed by 60,000 vehicles each day, will reflect and enhance the beautiful landscapes and wide skies of the region.

• Wicken Fen Vision: the National Trust’s vision for how Wicken Fen should develop, this is a long-term project to create 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres) of species-rich traditional fenland. The Vision will provide an important site for nature conservation and a new visitor attraction, contributing to the regional economy.

• Wicken Drove: a 9-mile (14km) network of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways will provide opportunities to link the city with Wicken Fen, Anglesey Abbey, Milton Country and Devil’s Dyke

• The construction of a visitor centre built using the latest sustainability principles

Background

The project was one of four that received funding for feasibility studies following the East of England Development Agency’s (EEDA) landmark east international ideas competition in 2003/4 which set out to generate ideas for a major landmark - something to put the East of England on the map, both nationally and internationally. The competition attracted 234 entries from all over the world.

EEDA is the driving force behind sustainable economic growth and regeneration in the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The project team is a partnership which includes the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which works with the public, private and voluntary sectors to promote the economy of the Cambridge sub-region; The National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation organisation; Marshall of Cambridge, one of the country’s largest privately owned companies with interests in the retail motor industry, aviation and specialist vehicle engineering and Sustrans, the country’s leading sustainable transport charity.

The lead designer of the bridge is LDA Design, award-winning environmental designers with offices in Peterborough and around the UK.

For more information please contact Joanne Fowler, Bridge of Reeds Communications Manager, on (01223) 711474 or 07814 980067 or email joanne.fowler@gmail.com

Complete the Bridge of Reeds online poll at www.bridgeofreeds.org.uk