Lee Valley Regional Park

Park Development Framework

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Walking and cycling

Where are we now?

Foot

Most of the Park is surrounded by urban areas, where existing streets provide a good network of routes for moving around on foot. Unfortunately, access into the Park from the surrounding streets is in many areas restricted by barriers such as major roads, rail lines, waterways, industrial areas and private land. These barriers mean that for much of the Park, entry points are limited and there is often some distance between entrances.

The more rural areas to the north of the Park are well connected to an extensive public right of way network, although in many areas there is still some distance separating each entry point into the Park

There are a number of strategic walking routes crossing the Park, including the Lee Valley Walk, the Lea Valley Pathway, the London Loop and the Capital Ring.

Cycling

The established cycle network provides good connections into the Park from the south. From the north, cycle networks are less well established and opportunities to cycle into the Park are generally limited to using the existing road network.

Horse Riding

Horse riding routes that connect with the Park are situated to the north at Stanstead Abbotts, Amwell, Holyfield, as well as south of Nazeing and around Gilwell Park (east of Sewardstone Road). Good bridleway networks exist beyond the Park boundary to the north and east, especially within Epping Forest.

What do we want to achieve?

To ensure that the Park is easy for people to get to and enjoy.

We believe there are some main areas that will help us to achieve this: -

1. Access for all

We want to make sure that everyone in the region can get to the Park easily, and that any barriers to access are removed.

2. Getting to the Park by foot or cycle

We want people to be able to walk, run or cycle to the Park easily. In order to maximise accessibility we want to ensure high quality links between the Park’s internal routes and the external Public Right of Way, cycle and bridleway network. We aim to deliver a fully integrated route network to, and through, the Park.

3. Remote access

The Park does not only benefit people who visit. Many people experience the Park through written information, the internet, newspaper reports and word of mouth. Access to the Park for these users is of no less importance than those who visit the Park in person.

We want to build on our levels of remote access. To do this the Park must compete successfully in a crowded media market. This will require not only a strong brand and identity for the Park, but also a creative and constantly evolving approach to what, how, where and when the Park presents itself to the regional audience.

How will we deliver?

On our estate

We will

  • Encourage access to the Park by sustainable transport modes, including walking, running, cycling and public transport.
  • Ensure the Park is truly accessible to all, and that barriers which prevent access for any section of the regional community are removed wherever possible.
  • Develop a strong Park identity and brand, and an accompanying marketing strategy, to maximise exposure to the regional market.
  • Encourage remote access to the Park through ongoing development of our website. This will including potential live stream links to sites and/or events of interest; and ongoing development and distribution of promotional and informational literature.

Working with others

We will

  • Work with local highway authorities to:
    • Enhance access to the Park by sustainable transport modes (e.g. walking, running, cycling and horseback) by developing quality links between the Parks’ internal and external public right of way networks, and cycle and bridleway networks, to deliver integrated routes to and through the Park.
  • Create a wide network of web links with local and regional authorities, and other partners/stakeholders.

Walking and cycling

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