Cycle Route North: Sustrans wins contract to design new cycling and walking off-road route linking Grange Paddocks and Bishop’s Stortford North
We are delighted that Sustrans, the national cycling charity, has been appointed by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to design the proposed cycling and walking off road link from the Grange Paddocks Leisure Centre to the Bishop’s Stortford North housing developments. This link will provide a safer travel option for walkers, wheelers and cyclists who currently have to negotiate the increasingly busy and dangerous Rye Street route.
The Town Council has issued the following statement:
“Bishop’s Stortford Town Council is excited to announce the next stage in delivering Cycle Route North, a vital new walking and cycling route designed to link Grange Paddocks
Leisure Centre with the Bishop’s Stortford North housing development and wider green infrastructure.
Following a competitive tender process, the Council is progressing plans in collaboration with Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. The scheme includes a new
3-metre-wide off-road greenway and a new bridge over the River Stort, creating a safe, traffic-free link for over 2,000 households, two schools, and growing local communities. Cllr Miriam Swainston, Leader of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council, said: “This route is more than a transport link – it’s a vision for how our town can boost well-being. We’re delighted to work with Sustrans to create a corridor that connects people to nature, supports greener travel, and enhances daily life for residents of all ages. Cycle Route North shows how thoughtful design can put health, accessibility, and biodiversity at the heart of community infrastructure.”Cllr Stephen Skinner, Chair of the Council’s Sustainable Transport Sub-Committee,added:
“This project represents a long-overdue piece of work that will safely connectcommunities and promote sustainable, active travel across Bishop’s Stortford. When progress stalled elsewhere, it was the Town Council that stepped up and picked up the ball — and we are proud to be funding this work through Section 106 developer contributions and our earmarked budget for cycling and walking infrastructure improvements. I also want to pay particular tribute to the co-opted members of our Sub-
Committee from Cycle Stortford and the Bishop’s Stortford & District Footpaths Association. Their deep local knowledge and dedication have helped shape a scheme that is practical, environmentally sound, and long-term in its thinking. Now, we need to deliver it.”
Martin Philpott, Regional Head of Design and Engineering, said:”Sustrans are excited to be partnering with Bishops Stortford Town Council to developCycle Route North. This is a route that will allow us to bring the National Cycle Networkinto the heart of Bishops Stortford, connect people with their local green spaces, andenable more people to walk, wheel and cycle locally.” The Cycling and Walking Route North project responds directly to the Council’s Strategic Plan 2023–2027, tackling the need for joined-up active travel routes. The proposed greenway will run from Grange Paddocks to Rye Street or Cannons Mill Lane, with potential enhancements extending to the Red White and Blue Country Park and B1004 connections, ensuring wide community access.
Key project elements include:
• A new bridge across the River Stort using environmentally sensitive materials
• Options to minimise biodiversity impact through careful route alignment and low-
impact construction
• Ecological enhancements such as wildflower planting, hibernacula, and bird and
bat boxes
• Integration with existing footpaths, open spaces, and the town’s Greenway
network
• Safe, accessible design informed by community needs and disability access
standards
The benefits of the scheme are agreed by all parties:
• Reduce over reliance on motor vehicles
• Creates a Leisure amenity (inc. all season Park Run)• Improves wellbeing and public health
• Links together Communities
• Links to other parts of the Town and beyond
• Improves Safety (Rye Street)
Allows Families to Cycle or Walk together
Sustrans proposes a comprehensive RIBA Stages 1–4 design process, including feasibility, ecological surveys, biodiversity net gain assessments, and planning submissions. The approach balances high-quality infrastructure with ecological integrity
and long-term community benefit.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, subject to securing full planning approval from East Herts District Council. Once approved and completed, the route will be adopted into
Hertfordshire County Council’s maintained network. Funding will be secured through a combination of Section 106 developer contributions and the Town Council’s dedicated reserve funds”.
The BSDFA will continue to play an important role is helping to deliver this key infrastructure through its role as a co-opted member of the Town Council’s Sustainable Transport sub committee. The committee led by Councillor Stephen Skinner together with Huw Jones, BSTC Chief Executive has helped steer this project forward. Thanks also to to Town Councillors Martin Adams and Yvonne Estop plus Graham Oxborrow from Cycle Stortford.
Dave Webber – BSDFA
