Brogborough Hill: picnic site ... will the waterway pass here?

Our vision is to build a broad waterway which will be part of a linear water park from Milton Keynes to Bedford. The waterway will be a 'thread' with 'beads' of sustainable development - houses, leisure facilities, commerce etc - along its route.

July 2001 

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The Bedford to Bletchley train passes over the Grand Union Canal at Fenny Stratford.

The Trust thinks that the Waterway could provide:

• new homes and business buildings in peaceful waterside locations

• additional routes for walkers, cyclists, riders and boaters of all kinds

• a new Fenland cruising ring

• outdoor spaces for people to enjoy, including an enhanced country park

• excellent competition fishing for anglers

• new sporting and leisure facilities

• havens for wildlife

• new tourist sites where it goes under the motorway, and round Brogborough Hill

• examples of the best in 21^st century engineering, design and landscaping

THE WATERWAY WILL WORK

There is a real commercial enthusiasm for the Waterway, from 21st Century industries concerned with tourism, leisure, communications and the environment. There will be construction work, not just for the canal, but for waterside housing and leisure-related business developments such as marinas, restaurants. Tourism could grow substantially, bringing revenues along the whole length of the route and into East Anglia. The Waterway will deliver freight and water supplies, when and where they're needed, while towpath fibre-optic cable will carry data nationwide. New work and leisure opportunities will ensure good use of the nearby east-west rail link.

More Information

The vision is becoming more defined as work continues, for example more information on the routes and public reaction to the proposals - see the Routes and News pages for more details.

One of the things that the Trust thinks the waterway could provide is "examples of the best in 21^st century engineering, design and landscaping". An illustration of this type of benefit can be seen in the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland. Another benefit is "a new Fenland cruising ring" which can be seen on the East England Waterways Map .

© 2001 Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust