The Gateway Feature has been designed by artist Steve Pardue of Differentia, who took his influences from locations, landmarks and wildlife across Greensand Country on the route of the Walk or Cycleway. The feature will include a new water bottle filling station providing free drinking water to thirsty walkers and cyclists as well as the wider public.
The Gateway has been created to mark the extension of the routes from their current start point by the Grand Union Canal in Leighton-Linslade to the town centre, helping link users of the route to local shops and cafes. It will provide a focal point and photographic opportunity for walkers and cyclists either starting or completing the Greensand Ridge Walk or Cycleway, and also for anyone wishing to explore Greensand Country.
The project has been funded by Leighton-Linslade Town Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership and a local charitable trust.
The feature will compliment another at the eastern end of the routes, located at the Gamlingay Ecohub in Cambridgeshire. Intrepid walkers and cyclists will need to cover 42 miles between the two, spanning the entire length of the Greensand Ridge and taking in woodlands, parklands, stately homes and market towns – but the Greensand Country area can be explored through shorter routes as well – to find out more about exploring this beautiful landscape, please visit www.greensandcountry.com which includes an interactive map covering a range of promoted routes.
Greensand Trust Director of Development said: “We’re really pleased that this project has at last come to fruition, and hope that it inspires people to get out and explore and enjoy the Greensand Country landscape on foot or by bike. We’d like to thank all of the funders and those who have helped us over numerous hurdles to get to this point”.
An event to mark the completion of the feature is being planned for later in the spring, as part of the annual Greensand Country Festival