Kingham to Bourton Recreational Trail

Sustrans has just completed a second report on the route. I'm not able to share the document or conclusions at this point because the report was commissioned and is owned by Cotswold District Council. However it is their intention to prepare and publish information about the report and its conclusions. I think I'm allowed to say that it's feasible, but that it will be more expensive than anticipated. But I think of the costs to the UK of poor social, mental and physical health, and of the traffic and coach dilemmas in Bourton and Stow, and then it begins to look like a bargain.

Dear Supporter, I hope this finds you well. After a long wait, I can share the Sustrans Bourton-Kingham report with you. If you would like a copy please email me, and I’ll email you a wetransfer link to download it*. The apology first. It took longer than anticipated for Sustrans to produce the report, and I’ve been sitting on it over the summer, contemplating the next steps. Mea et Sustrans culpa. This year has seen unmistakeable evidence of climate change, its impact on the environment here and abroad, and the effect on the people living with it. We are in a climate emergency and it is salutary to note, in this report, the flood risk to the former rail track and the local communities. Then there are the traffic jams, noise and fumes in Bourton and Stow as the pandemic has eased. There is also now national economic woe, and fear for the cost of motor transport to those that rely on it. My own job gives me daily contact with public health and I see that deteriorating, with weight, diabetes and mental health crises amongst many others.. The estimated final cost is more than anticipated, although it still works out as only 3 hours of NHS diabetes care or 0.035% of the annual NHS mental health bill. It is also about 10% of the money spent on the abandoned Garden Bridge project or a 33,200th of the cost of HS2. To me, the question is “can we afford not to spend the money on this project?”. Over the coming winter I’ll be trying to contact the landowners, delicately and diplomatically, to hear or read their thoughts and ideas. There are over 25 landowners, with a variety of backgrounds. Having seen cafes, farm shops, bike shops, livery yards, breweries and holiday rentals cropping up around existing recreational routes I feel sure that there are great opportunities for them here. Please do email me, download the report, have a read and let me know your thoughts. Unwise as it surely is, I’ll also be signing up to win some money in the lottery. Paul * ps Sustrans isn’t happy for me to disseminate the version that also gives landowner details.

Dear Supporter, A very brief note to wish you a happy New Year and a good 2022, and to give an update. The success of the crowdfunding scheme has been my own highlight of 2021 and I’m indebted to everyone that contributed and showed support. Over the past year the world (yes, even here in the Cotswolds) has become more aware of the need for safer, healthier, cheaper and more sustainable ways of getting around. Ideas like this, that ten years ago were dismissed as pointless, cranky or impossible, are now more often than not met with interest and enthusiasm. Things are changing quickly but time will tell if that is quickly enough, for public health or for the climate. In the summer a group of us walked the whole line and it is obvious that, physically, the line would be easily transformable. We also walked to and from Stow on the Wold, via Maugersbury, to join the line; a transformed line could serve the Stow on the Wold community just as well as those of Bourton, Bledington and Kingham. There’s a lung-busting hill, it’s true, but regular exercise, a small battery or the use of a horse would soon deal with that. The crossing of the A424 might prove one of the bigger challenges; the railway dipped down to go under a road bridge and in their wisdom the highway engineers of the time opted to fill the ditch and flatten the road. Hopefully, Sustrans will tell us how to get past that hurdle. I had hoped that by now we would have the Sustrans report but it has been unavoidably delayed. Sustrans have apologised to me for the delay, and in turn I’m apologising to you. It’s very good that Sustrans are so busy, but frustrating that we can’t start looking at the next steps. It should however be with us early in 2022. During the last two years the number of cyclists dying in accidents on rural roads in England has increased dramatically (48 in 2018, 60 in 2019, 89 in 2020). Alternative ways of getting around the Cotswolds, without a motor vehicle and as safely as possible, can’t come soon enough. It feels to me now, and I hope to you too, that repurposing this and other railways in Gloucestershire is finally receiving the interest that it deserves. It has been discussed at Parish, District and County council levels and has been the subject of enthusiastic discussion on local radio. Groups have formed to look at other disused railways in Gloucestershire, and to find other paths and tracks that could provide sustainable transport links. Whatever else this project achieves, it has raised awareness and brought together interested people and groups. So here’s to a 2022 with (hopefully) less virus, a population that is more aware than ever of the fragility of our world and of our own health, and a Sustrans report to get our teeth into, Paul Morrish Ps the attached image some extracts from the book “Railway Renaissance” by Gareth David. His father Trefor campaigned to save the Cheltenham Kingham railway route from the Beeching axe and Gareth has put some of that campaigning into the introduction to his (excellent) book.

Dear Backers, Supporters, Friends, a very brief update. Last week Sam Maloney (Sustrans), Hannah Fountain (Lead Officer for Sustainable Transport, Cotswold District Council) met, looked at the potential and possibilities for the route and planned the next steps. The picture attached shows how the old rail track fills a large gap in the National Cycle Network. Sam and Hannah are informed, enthusiastic and realistic. The project also received great support throughoout one morning from Mark Cummings and BBC Gloucestershire so a big thanks to them. Till the next update, enjoy the summer and the Cotswold countryside.

Dear backers, friends, supporters, We've reached the target! You have all supported, helped and contributed in raising the money needed for the Sustrans feasibility study. This has given the project (and me, and the friends without whom etc) the huge shot in the arm that was needed. The really great thing is that you come from all sorts of backgrounds and are all immensely enthusiastic. I'll keep you informed but please feel free to tell me to shut up when needed. Lots of people have also offered to be more involved, and that is immensely welcome. The plan at the moment is to wait till the Sustrans report is completed, and then we'll get a clear idea of if/how/how much. After that we can meet and work out the next stages. Once again, thanks. Paul