17 March 2009
Best Boot Forward: Councillors Take Route Towards a Car-Free
Burnham Beeches
Plans Protect Burnham Beeches from 300,000
Cars March 11, 2009 – City of London Press Office – Recent
meetings discussing the new Transportation Strategy for Burnham
Beeches, aim to diminish the consequences of increasing car usage
on local roads in and around the National Nature Reserve.
With an average of 560,000 people visiting Burnham Beeches each
year, 77 percent come by car. Only a small percentage of people
come by other means including a special 0.6 percent who arrive on a
far more environmentally friendly vehicle, the horse.
Andy Barnard, Superintendent of Burnham Beeches said, "As
climate change affects everyone no matter where they are,
alternative means of travel are of utmost importance for a greener
future; the ability for our children’s children to enjoy the
reserve."
Since 2002, the City of London, Buckinghamshire County Council,
South Bucks District Council and Natural England have been meeting
together to take steps to preserve the quality of the reserve,
including the closure of two miles of private roads. Other similar
steps have been taken to encourage the use of alternative means of
travel when visiting the site.
The most recent meeting held in March, brought together senior
members to discuss the achievements of the Transportation Strategy
and to discuss how to keep Burnham Beeches a special place for
future generations of people and wildlife.
To make the area more environmentally transport friendly, the
last five years have seen the implementation of: cycling
facilities, new pedestrian crossing points, a 40mph speed limit and
public transport ‘promotion days.’ With health and beauty of the
reserve in mind, even new roadside signage has been created for a
‘special sense of place’ reducing roadside visual clutter and
improving navigation.
Further motivating many to ditch the car, improvements to
visitor car parking areas and the closure of many of the private
roads to traffic within the reserve itself have recently been
applied.
All these proactive measures minimise air, noise and light
pollution in and around the site. With safer roads for pedestrians,
cyclists, horse riders and wildlife, a cleaner Burnham Beeches
presents itself for enjoyment for all, including the many deer and
pets that die unnecessarily on the roads around the beeches.
Ends
Contact:
For press enquiries, please call the City of London:
Filip Matous on 020 7332 1754 or Loretta Lui on 020 7332
1528