NEWS:

Blackwater Rail Trail - Phase 2 - Blackwater Lane to Pasture Close, Witham

During the Autumn of 2010 Braintree District Council are proposing to carry out improvement works to this section of Blackwater Rail Trail to provide a 3 metre wide path promoting accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair and push chair users. The scheme will be funded using the remaining s106 financial contribution (total of £92,500) received from Benton Hall Golf Course. This follows improvement works which were undertaken in 2008 to the Blackwater Rail Trail between Constance Close and Blue Mills Hill.

Portersfield (Gypsy Corner Playing Field) and Panfield Lane, Braintree.

In June 2010 Braintree District Council will be constructing a 3 metre wide path between Panfield Lane and the playing field which will provide a off road link to Rayne Road. The path will also be lit. Construction works will be completed in July 2010.

Public Footpath 82 Improvements
(Tortoiseshell Way to London Road)
On 10th March 2009, Members of Braintree Local Committee approved the scheme to improve Public Footpath 82 (between Tortoiseshell Way and London Road).  The scheme was funded by the S106 financial contribution of £42,804 received from the retirement village development on land south of Tortoiseshell Way, which needed to be spent by 2013. The S106 agreement stated either a financial contribution towards the improvement of Public Footpath 82 or the provision of a foot/cycle link.  Braintree District Council proposed that the financial contribution be spent on improving Public Footpath 82, as the gradient is too steep for cyclists and would require significant regrading works. There is also already an existing cycle link adjacent to the A120 providing a tarmac linkage to Notley High School.

Braintree District Council in conjunction with Essex County Council improved Public Footpath 82 to provide a surfaced 2 metre wide path during the summer of 2009.

Improvements to the existing cycle/pedestrian path from Panfield Lane to Springwood Industrial Estate, Braintree
During October 2008 Braintree District Council carried out improvement works to the surface of the existing cycle/pedestrian path between Panfield Lane and Springwood Industrial Estate.

Blackwater Rail Trail – Former Railway Line (Blue Mill Hill to Constance Close), Witham
During September 2008 works took place to improve the Blackwater Rail Trail between Blue Mill Hill and Constance Close to provide a 3 metre wide cycle/pedestrian path promoting accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair and push chair users using part of a s106 financial contribution (total of £92,500) received from Benton Hall Golf Course.

It is anticipated that further improvement works will take place along the Blackwater Rail Trail in 2010 to provide a cycle/pedestrian link between Blackwater Lane and Pasture Road. This scheme will be funded from the remaining balance of s106 contribution received from Benton Hall Golf Course.

Maylon Close to Portersfield (Gypsy Corner Playing Field), Braintree
In August 2008 a 3 metre wide cycle/pedestrian path was constructed between Maylon Close and Portersfield along the edge of the playing field partially following  Public Footpath 61. The new tarmac surface is an improvement to promote accessibility for persons in wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs as well as cyclists and pedestrians. It is intended that construction works will start in Spring 2010 to complete the cycle/pedestrian path to Panfield Lane and Rayne Road. It is also proposed that lighting will be provided on the link between Maylon Close and Panfield Lane.

This scheme will be funded from various s106 financial contributions from developers - Countryside, Barrett, Fairview Homes and Lidls.

Cypress Road to Cut Throat Lane, Witham
In July 2008 a 3 metre wide cycle/pedestrian path with street lighting was constructed from Cypress Road to Cut Throat Lane, improving accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists to the Eastways and Freebournes Industrial Estates, Witham Railway Station, Witham Town Centre, Local Schools and Supermarkets.

CYCLING FOR LEISURE

For more information on cycling for leisure please click here

CYCLE PARKING IN THE BRAINTREE DISTRICT

- Map Showing Cycle Parking Provision in Braintree Town Centre
- Map Showing Cycle Parking Provision in Witham Town Centre
- Map Showing Cycle Parking Provision at Witham Railway Station
- Map Showing Cycle Parking Provision in Halstead Town Centre

MAPS AND LEAFLETS:

- Braintree Cycleways Network Map
- Great Notley Cycleways Network Map
- Witham Cycleways Network Map

Mapping of cycle routes throughout the district is currently being developed by Essex County Council. A link will be available from this page when the mapping comes online later this year.

Sustrans have online mapping available of the National Cycle Network (NCN). NCN routes 1 and 16 pass through Braintree District.

Cycle Essex - Tourist Cycle Routes (Comprise of 9 maps illustrating circular cycle routes) The complete pack costs £5.50 (includes p&p) and can be obtained by calling 0845 600 7373. For more information please look here.

Braintree District Council have a number of leisure route cycleway leaflets available:

Flitch Way (Off-road route along the former railway line country park between Braintree and Stansted, recently resurfaced along whole length. The Flitch Way is part of NCN route 16). Please view the following link for an electronic map:

- Flitch Way Leaflet

Blackwater Rail Trail (Mainly off road route following the disused railway line between Witham and Maldon, with some on road sections south of Witham near Wickham Bishops and near Langford. Please note that most of this route has not been resurfaced and may be difficult for  some bicycles following poor weather)

- Blackwater Rail Trail Leaflet

Colne Valley Cycle Trails (4 on-road routes following mainly quiet lanes in the scenic countryside of the River Colne Valley) - (cost - £1.75) please send a cheque payable to 'Braintree District Council' to Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Bocking End, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9HB and mark for the attention of Juliet Strathern.