The Two Shires Greenway

The Two Shires Greenway (previously Avon and Arrow Greenway Project) is an ambitious project that aims to improve infrastructure for cyclists and walkers within our Parish. Find out more about the project below! You can read the latest newsletter or view the most recent minutes using the buttons below (opens PDF).

The Two Shires Greenway Project AGM will take place onWednesday 24th January 2024, 7.30pm.
Venue: Salford Priors Memorial Hall, School Road, Salford Priors, WR11 8XD

To view and print a copy of the Agenda and associated documents, please click this link (opens PDF).

Please see below the link to join the meeting is you cannot get there in person.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3454037650

Meeting ID: 345 403 7650

This is a brief update to tell you about the new name which we have been working on for some time now and recent exciting news about significant additional funding won for the project. The purpose of changing our name from the Avon to Arrow Greenway to the Two Shires Greenway is to raise increased awareness of the route and ensure that the name reflects the key elements of its makeup.

We believe that the concept of ‘Two Shires’ emphasises the nature of the ambitious partnership required between Warwickshire and Worcestershire county councils, as well as the two district councils and very large number of parish councils big and small, who are cooperating to bring about this amazing new amenity. As the government, via the Department of Transport and the Active Travel initiative, builds its financial and political support for cycling and walking, we need to be quickly and easily recognised as a key player and a priority for that support.

In just the last month we have secured in partnership with Salford Priors PC a fantastic grant of £312,000 from Stratford DC for the route section Salford Priors to Wixford. This combined with the funds already allocated by the PC means that contacts can be sought and final negotiations with our landowners can take place. We hope the construction of this element of the Greenway will begin by the end of this year and be completed by the end of 2024. The generous grant of £150,000 from Wychavon DC for the Harvington section of the route has also allowed detailed planning to start there too and we are working hard with district and county officers and councillors to continue raising the profile of and funding for the Evesham to Alcester spine route as a whole.

From April 5th our email addresses and website will have Two Shires as the signature and we are currently looking for a striking and appropriate logo to go with the new name - feel free to let your creative talents fly and send me ideas!!

Please note that we have not forgotten or neglected the Broom, Bidford to Stratford spine. We continue to work with parish, district and county councils to finalise routes and seek funding. The last six months has seen significant breakthroughs and progress and we expect much more during the course of this year and beyond. Meanwhile thank you all so much for your amazing support for the Two Shires Greenway which is central to the long term success and delivery of the project.

Best wishes

Joe Harvey Chairman - Two Shires Greenway

07778650275 Email joeharvey@twoshiresgreenway.org.uk

Web: www.twoshiresgreenway.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 1188324

Monday 14th November: Sustrans has completed the Feasibility Study (FS) for the AAGP route from Broom via Bidford Health Centre and into Stratford at the back of the Racecourse. We commissioned this report some months ago you can download a copy by clicking this link (opens PDF, 6mb download).

Avon and Arrow Greenway Project AGM will take place onWednesday 26th October 2022, 7.00pm.
Venue: Salford Priors Memorial Hall, School Road, Salford Priors, WR11 8XD

To view and print a copy of the Agenda and associated documents, please click this link (opens PDF).

The Avon and Arrow Greenway Project (AAGP) is an ambitious one with aims, set out below, that closely match those of your parish council - who support this project - the Stratford District Council, the Worcestershire CC and the government.

• To promote safe and responsible leisure routes (e.g. cycling, walking) within and across Parish boundaries thereby improving the health and well-being of the local population
• To provide a forum for neighbouring communities establish links with safe cycle and pathway routes
• To champion and seek funding for the development of an improved infrastructure for cyclists and walkers in the area
• To provide a source of information and advice to local and visiting cyclists and walkers
• To promote tourism and encourage visiting cyclists and walkers to use local businesses
• To reduce dependency on the motor car, reduce pollution and so improve our environment

We have made very significant progress over the last two years properly establishing our organisation, gaining charitable status and commissioning a comprehensive Feasibility Study from Sustrans for the route. It is clear that we cannot achieve our aims working on our own. We already have all the relevant Town and Parish Councils along the proposed route supporting us both financially and in principle.

We are in discussions with major local landowners and have the strong backing of organisations such as the Heart of England Forest and the Avon Navigation Trust. We now need your help in bringing both political and financial support to deliver this exciting project. It really is something worth fighting for – a new Greenway that will run from Evesham to Alcester and can afford a link to Stratford and the existing Greenway there.

Think of the enormous potential; consider the impact of opening up such a network of paths and cycleways giving access to the rich environment that surrounds us. It offers the opportunity to build on the new enthusiasm for walking and cycling, one of the few good things that the pandemic has given us. It will accelerate the situation where children and adults alike rely less on cars and public transport getting to school and to work respectively. We are of course also in close touch with colleagues from Wychavon and Stratford District Councils and Warwickshire and Worcestershire CC’s as the route crosses District and County boundaries and in doing so increases massively its potential value.

Joe Harvey ( Chair – AAGP )
joeharvey@healtheducationtrust.com

To view the latest (December 2021) AAGP newsletter, please click this link (opens PDF).

You can also visit our Your Village, Your Voice page to view feedback about cycling and walking in the area.

Click this link to open and download a PDF copy of the map.

Name
The organisation will be known as the “Avon and Arrow Greenway Project” (AAGP for the purposes of this document)

Aims
The aims of the organisation will be:
To promote safe and responsible leisure routes (e.g. cycling, walking) within and across Parish boundaries thereby improving the health and well-being of the local population

• To provide a forum for neighbouring communities establish links with safe cycle and pathway routes
• To champion and seek funding for the development of an improved infrastructure for cyclists and walkers in the area
• To provide a source of information and advice to local and visiting cyclists and walkers
• To promote tourism and encourage visiting cyclists and walkers to use local businesses
• To reduce dependency on the motor car, reduce pollution and so improve our environment

Activities
In pursuit of the above aims, our activities may include:
Cycling and walking advocacy

• Lobbying for improved cycling and walking environment and infrastructure, working with councils, Highways England, Avon Navigation Trust, Forestry Commission England, communities, clubs, Sustrans and other national cycling and walking organisations
• Partnering with local clubs and other organizations with an interest in cycling and walking
• Planning, mapping, signage and promotion of cycle and walking routes

Cycle and walking experience

• Encouraging and promoting individuals and families of all ages in safe and responsible cycling, using correct equipment, clothing and lights.
• Promoting guided social cycle rides and walking trails for adults, including those with learning difficulties
• Promoting and supporting local cycling and walking events and festivals
• Cycling and walking for health and wellbeing
• Promoting and supporting cycle-based and walking activities in partnership with health, education and fitness groups
• Cycling and walking tourism
• Promoting traffic free leisure cycling and walking in the area
• Provision of signage and maps showing suggested leisure cycling and walking routes and trails.
• Seek to link up local routes to the National Cycle Network to encourage cycle tourism from further afield. Encourage the development of a cycle and walking friendly society.

Outcomes

• Make the local area a great environment to cycle and walk in safety
• Increased cycle usage and trail walking in Warwickshire and Worcestershire
• Improved communication, cooperation and networking amongst cyclists and walkers through website and other social media
• Make cycling and walking realistic and healthy leisure pastimes for individuals and families alike
• Increase fitness and wellbeing and save on Health costs
• Increasing volume and revenue for the local economy from cycle and walking tourism

Structure

• AAGP is a cross parish group responsible for organisation and administration of the project.
• The group shall include a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary (the officers) and other members as appropriate. Additional partners may be co-opted to lead specific project activities. Membership of the group will be reviewed annually at the annual general meeting.
• Recommendations will be made by the working group and referred back to councils and partner organisations.
• AAGP is an unincorporated not for profit association

Scope

AAGP will represent the interests of communities throughout the area defined on the Map above. Routes within, and connections with, other Parishes may also be included

Diversity
AAGP will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religious or political belief, marital status or age.

Officers
The business of the group will be carried out by the Officers elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Nominations for Officers may be made to the Secretary before the meeting, or at the meeting.
In the event of an officer standing down during the year a replacement will be elected by the next General Meeting of members.
Any Officer not attending a meeting without apology for three months will be contacted by the Secretary and asked if they wish to resign.
The officers’ roles are as follows:

1. Chair, who shall chair both general and officers meetings.
2. Vice Chair, who shall act in the event that the Chair is absent.
3. Secretary, who shall be responsible for the taking of minutes and the distribution of all papers.
4. Treasurer who shall be responsible for maintaining accounts.
5. County Representatives who shall be members of local councils and represent matters to District and County Councils shall be co-opted as required.

Meetings
General meetings are open to all members and shall be held at least quarterly as required to plan, manage and monitor the activities of the Group.
The Officers will meet as necessary and not less than four times a year.
Working groups will meet as required and report back to the Officers and General meetings.
Every year an AGM will be held, with 14 days’ notice given. An annual report, accounts and balance sheets will be presented.

Finances
An account will be maintained on behalf of the Group at a bank agreed by the Officers. Cheque signatories will be nominated by the Officers (one to be the Treasurer)
All payments will be signed by two of the signatories.
Records of income and expenditure will be maintained by the Treasurer and a financial statement given at each meeting.

Dissolution
Dissolution shall require a unanimous decision by the committee. In the event of dissolution and after any debts and liabilities have been settled, any funds in AAGP’s account shall be divided equally between active projects associated with AAGP. If there are none, they shall be donated to Sustrans.

Date agreed

10th August 2020

Signed (officers)

Chairman: Joe Harvey
Vice Chairman: Liam Maude
Secretary: Colin Tether
Treasurer Daryl Bailey