A long-awaited section of path through Ashton Court was completed earlier this month.
Greenways and Cycleroutes worked for five years to make this new section of path a reality
The new path makes it possible for people to walk or cycle into Bristol from Nailsea and Long Ashton, without having to take in any main roads.
Greenways and Cycleroutes
The Ashton Court Greenway was delivered by Greenways and Cycleroutes.
This is the charitable organisation founded by former Sustrans Chief Executive John Grimshaw and former Sustrans Trustee Caroline Levett, to build on Sustrans work in constructing routes.
Joining the dots through Ashton Court
The path connects the Gate to Ashton Court near the Park and Ride with the UWE site at Kennel Lodge Road.
It avoids the busy and hilly Ashton Court Estate road up to the house.
In nearly 800 metres, the route crosses meadows, looks from under branches up to the mansion, and winds through a belt of woodland.
John Grimshaw said:
“It has been a long five years since we prepared the first drawings as part of Bristol's Green Capital programme. Humphry Repton designed Ashton Park 200 years ago.
"It has been a privilege to work in such a landscape and to create a path which is already so much appreciated. We hope the path would have pleased him.”
James Cleeton, Sustrans Director for the South of England, said:
“I’m genuinely excited to see this stretch of path open and being used by the public.
"It will make a real difference for people travelling into Bristol from North Somerset.
"And being 3 metres wide, the path offers a space to walk or cycle while respecting the current physical distancing measures
“It was a pleasure for Sustrans to be able to support the development of the route, both through funding and a considerable number of our staff volunteering their time and energy to finally complete this missing link.
"I congratulate John Grimshaw and his colleagues for their tenacity in bringing this route to life.”
Hard work of 35 volunteers
The Ashton Court Greenway was made possible by the hard work of 35 volunteers, dedicated contractors Safety Green, funding from Veolia Community Trust, Sustrans and North Somerset Council, support from Historic England, and from UWE and Bristol City Council who own the land.
