Objectives.
The Three Rivers Way began life as part of an Active Travel project run by North Norfolk Community Partnership. The aim of the project was to provide an improved network of multi-purpose footpaths and cycleways in the district.
The Active Travel Project originally intended to develop one pilot project. The route would be planned and funding identified ready to start work in 2008. The project eventually resulted in two potential routes of which The Three Rivers Way was one.
The idea was quickly taken up by the local community. Local roads are fast and car use is increasing. This has made it difficult and dangerous for people to cycle and walk between villages. This had reduced access to the countryside and to more healthy forms of transport. Also businesses and tourists do not get the benefits of people being able to walk and cycle between local villages.
The Three Rivers Way Association was established in 2008 to support the creation of the Three Rivers Way. Its aims are to;
• Make it easier for residents and visitors, including those with mobility problems, to get to local services, employment, schools, shops and facilities
• Help everyone to get more exercise
• Reduce the number of short car journeys
• Improve tourism in the area and raise the local economic base
In 2009 Inspire East provided an Enabler to work with The Three Rivers Way Association. There is strong local support but the group have found it difficult to get the funding necessary to deliver the first phase of the project. Despite commitments from a range of local bodies they have had a number of unsuccessful funding bids. They have also found it hard to match up the project with the funding of local bodies like the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Norfolk County Council, the local transport Authority.
The enabling assignment was intended to help the group learn the lessons from unsuccessful bids and help them fit the project into local strategies. The Inspire East Enabler Peter Hardy helped the Association organise a Planning and Development Workshop. This was held in June 2009 to bring together local partners in and to develop a shared vision and commitments to support the Three Rivers Way.
To view the The Three Rivers Way and Enabling Assignment please follow the link
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