16th September 2011

New All-weather Surface for Local Path

Resurfacing work on a busy stretch of the Blackwater Valley Path from the Heron
BV Path Wood estate to Aldershot Park has been completed and was officially ‘opened’ by the Mayor of Rushmoor Cllr Alex Crawford on Tuesday 27th September.

The stretch, measuring over ¼ mile of the 23-mile Blackwater Valley Path, is an important off-road route through a very
urban area. It had deteriorated in recent years and was in need of an upgrade to improve access for all. Grant money to carry out the work was obtained by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust (BVCT) via the TAG Community Fund operated by Rushmoor Borough Council.
Top: BV Path before.
Bottom: BV Path after.
Improvements involved widening the path
then finishing it with Fibredec, which gives
a hardwearing, multi-user, all-weather surface. At the same time a new culvert was installed to replace an existing sleeper bridge, along with a gate and ‘motor cycle inhibitor’
to discourage the use of the path by motor bikes.

Sue Dent, Countryside and Access Manager for the Blackwater Valley Countryside who were responsible for overseeing the project said:
“We are very pleased that another section
of the path has been upgraded and improved to allow multi-user usage. The project involved a great many people and we would like to thank everyone who contributed.”

First Wessex Housing, Rushmoor Voluntary Services and Rushmoor Borough Council organised a special autumn clean-up and litter pick of the area before the opening. They joined volunteers from the Blackwater Valley Countryside, in sprucing up the area prior to the path’s opening by the Mayor.

Rushmoor Borough Council’s street cleaning team helped on the day by removing all the litter collected by the volunteers.

Following the opening there was a guided circular walk for all the volunteers and local residents which included a visit to the adjacent quarry restoration.

The Blackwater Valley Path runs for 23 miles, from Farnham to Swallowfield in Berkshire, and provides exercise and recreation for thousands of users.

END

NOTES

The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership (BVCP) is funded by the County, District and Parish Councils along the River Blackwater. It works to promote community action in conservation and recreation and to protect the Valley for the enjoyment and well being of the whole community.
For more information please contact Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. Email: Christine.reeves@hants.gov.uk.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust (BVCP) was set up in 2003 to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Blackwater Valley. It gained charitable status in 2006. Membership is £5 pa for households, £100 for corporates. For more information please contact Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. Email: Christine.reeves@hants.gov.uk.
First Wessex manages around 18,000 affordable homes primarily in Hampshire and with some activity in Surrey. It has offices in Eastleigh and Aldershot and its head office in Portsmouth.
First Wessex provides a full range of affordable housing including rented, supported, shared ownership and key worker housing. A large support portfolio includes housing for older people, extra-care housing, dementia care housing, housing for people with learning disabilities, people recovering from mental illness and some specialist accommodation. First Wessex also has its own repairs and maintenance division and provides a wide range of community regeneration services across Hampshire.
For more information please contact: Ursula Tavender, External Communications Manager on 07776 226598 or 023 9289 6759. Email: Ursula.tavender@firstwessex.org
Rushmoor Borough Council is the local authority for Aldershot and Farnborough. The Council provides more than 100 services to the residents and businesses of Aldershot and Farnborough.