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Project diary
Latest Diary update February 2007
Since our last update we have continued work on levering funding for land acquisition to enable us to complete the route network of footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways. As fundraising for the Bridge will take some time, we are keen to maintain progress on the routes; the better and more comprehensive the network is, the more we believe people will share our vision for the Bridge of Reeds to connect Cambridge with the countryside and at the same time create an iconic structure for the region.
The National Trust has already acquired 815 ac as part of its Wicken Fen Vision. The Vision aims to create an area of some 15,000 acres of fen and grassland on land that is presently in arable cultivation between Cambridge and Wicken Fen. Not only will this be a marvellous resource for nature conservation but also for public access. The National Trust is currently working with DCLG to improve the access corridor for walkers, cyclists and horse riders between Anglesey Abbey and Wicken Fen. We hope to announce further progress with this later in the spring. We also have further land acquisitions that we hope to be able to announce later this year.
We are also working with Sustrans to ensure that we are well placed to benefit if they are successful in the Big Lottery's ‘Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions’ initiative. Sustrans’ ‘Connect2’ bid is down to the final 6. It aims to develop foot and cycle bridges and other links over existing obstacles including the Lode system. It will enable one area to link to another and an onward network of existing paths. This would link with National Cycle Route 11 which already passes through Wicken Fen.
Finally, news surrounding the possible relocation of the Milton Waste Water Treatment Works to Honey Hill inevitably poses challenges for the team in 2007. However, at this stage we are still awaiting the outcome from the public consultation which is ongoing. It will be some time before a decision is made but in the meantime we are in close touch with Cambridgeshire County Council and Anglia Water. Whilst the co-location of the Bridge of Reeds and the WWTW is not ideal, we believe there is scope for working towards a compromise with Anglia Water if the need arises.
Latest diary update June 2006
Since our last update, excellent progress has been made with establishing strong public support via a wide ranging public consultation programme. Local support for the project is extremely important to us so we were very pleased with the results.
Results from a postal survey of over 850 people indicate that 67% support the project and over a quarter strongly support it. Even more encouraging are the results from our online poll. Almost 300 people took part and from this, 77% stated support for the project. Such figures illustrate growing support as well as a greater understanding of the significant benefits the project could bring.
Key benefits that people tended to identify with were the creation of a landmark itself combined with the bridge design, the preservation of an area of countryside, the creation of access to countryside and the promotion of walking and cycling. Our findings also highlighted the fact that the A14 is perceived as cutting off the pedestrians and cyclists from the countryside. Our project could provide the perfect solution.
The findings were extensive and highlighted a strong consensus of support which has encouraged us even further in delivering this project.
At this stage, our fundraising efforts continue. Unfortunately we were not successful in reaching the next stage of the Big Lottery Living Landmarks funding competition but this has not affected our determination to deliver the Bridge of Reeds project and we are looking forward positively to the next few months.
Good news recently was that given the substantial amount of work carried out as part of the feasibility study, a full environmental impact assessment is not required. Good progress has also been made with the route network, helped by £1m of ODPM funding and discussions are continuing regarding land acquisition around the site of the bridge. In all, things are moving forward and the team are excited about the progress.
Further excitement surrounds the very recent announcement that the Bridge of Reeds model has been chosen to exhibit at the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition. (Click here to view the press release) The presence of our model will hopefully raise awareness of the entire project and highlight the appeal of the bridge sculpture. For anyone wishing to view the model, the exhibition runs from the 12th June – 20th August, at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Click here to visit the Royal Academy website for more information about the exhibition.
Latest Diary Update March 2006
Since our last diary update the Bridge of Reeds project team has been very busy! Our focus for the early part of this year is finding out what residents think about the proposals as it is very important that the project is supported by the local community. We would like to invite everyone to take part in our online poll at www.bridgeofreeds.org.uk. This deliberative poll aims to encourage participants to consider all aspects of the project by putting forward a series of arguments supporting or opposing the proposals then quizzing them on their views.
We had good news recently as we heard we were through the first sift of applications for the Big Lottery’s Living Landmarks scheme. Next month we will find out if we are through to the next stage. If so, we will be visited by the Big Lottery Fund between April and June and we could be awarded development funding. We will then have to meet the deadline for second stage applications in May 2007. We will also hear in April if we have received further funding from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). So our hopes are high!
More good news for the progression of the project is that the National Trust has been awarded £1 million from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for land acquisition and cycle path improvements. This money will help the trust to work towards its vision of 4,000 hectares of species rich traditional fenland – already in the first five years of the Wicken Fen Vision the National Trust has acquired 315 hectares (773 acres) of land.
We have also now agreed a new project name: Bridge of Reeds – Gateway to the Countryside, which we believe encapsulates the project’s aims to create 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 next priority for the team is to expand the project partnership to include representatives from local authorities, business and community organisations who will form a Strategic Board to guide the development of the project. Check back here soon to follow our progress.
Diary Update- November 2005
It’s been a while since we last updated our diary, since then, the project has come on in leaps and bounds; since the announcement in June, when we were pleased to report that the Bridge of Reeds is technically possible, we have been laying the foundations for early stage delivery of the project and we are delighted to announce that the team have been awarded funding from EEDA.
Early stage funding for the project is a big challenge so we are delighted to have EEDA’s continued support. It gives us a fantastic start and will help us lay the foundations for the delivery of the project. As a team we are committed to pursuing what we consider to be an exciting vision that could deliver something of real benefit to residents and visitors alike. With substantial growth planned for the Cambridge area over the next ten years, it is important to preserve our green spaces and natural habitats – Landscape East could play a key role in this. This gives us a fantastic kick start and enables us to recruit a project manager who will develop finding bids.
EEDA’s grant will also importantly help to cover the cost of essential repair and resurfacing of routes and public consultation as we are keen to hear views on routes, access and location of the visitor centre.
So, these are exciting times for the project team. There is a long way to go but it is fantastic to be genuinely on the road towards delivery.
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