A group of hardy volunteers came together in early December to start planting some much needed shelter and shade along the Waddesdon Greenway.
The new accessible path linking Aylesbury to Waddesdon, has been officially opened since September and is already making a difference to people’s lives, providing a safe route for walkers and cyclists getting to work, school and in and out of town avoiding the busy A41.
The route was built during the long, hot early Summer when it became clear how little shade and shelter was provided along the path. A team of volunteers, including groups from Chiltern Railways, McCormick and RAF Halton, came together last week to plant trees and hedges along the way. Between them they have planted over 6,000 hedgerow plants and 53 new trees.
The plants were selected along with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to ensure they are good for local wildlife whilst also ensuring there are no thorns to frustrate cyclists.
Waddesdon Greenway follows part of Akeman Street, the Roman road from Cirencester to St Albans. This is now marked by a number of small groups of walnut and sweet chestnut trees – two species introduced to Britain by the Romans.
In all volunteers have given the equivalent of 411 days’ work over just 11 days this year towards completing the Waddesdon Greenway.