Have Your Say on Exciting Plans for Bedford River Valley Park

Would you like the chance to help shape the future of the Bedford River Valley Park?

Bedford River Valley Park is a new regional scale country park focused on 3.5 square miles of gravel workings between Bedford to Willington. The park comprises of a mixture of emerging woodland, wetland and grassland habitats, sites of significant historic and archaeological interest and a wide range of public facilities and areas for people to visit.

The next stage in the park's development is a public consultation on a proposed Masterplan for the park, focusing on land owned by the Borough Council. This consultation is your opportunity to help influence, shape and support which leisure, recreation and conservation projects are developed in the park, as opportunities and resources allow.

The plan includes details on a number of proposed projects which subject to sufficient funding being identified could include:

• Public access improvements for walkers, cyclists and horse riders
• New café and visitor centre in PrioryCountryPark
• River moorings and access improvements for canoeists
• Refurbishment of the kayak slalom course in PrioryCountryPark
• Camping and caravanning facilities
• Inland beach

Lib Dem Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "Bedford River Valley Park is an incredibly exciting project which will create the largest area of publicly accessible green space in Bedfordshire and link the heart of the town with the wider countryside."

"Working with a range of delivery partners, we will preserve and enhance the area's rich natural and historic heritage and make it easier for residents and visitors to enjoy a range of high quality leisure, sport and recreational attractions and facilities.

"The Bedford River Valley Park is a tremendous asset for Bedford Borough and it is therefore important that local residents are involved throughout its development process. I urge anyone with a view on what they would like to see included in the Bedford River Valley Park to respond to this important consultation opportunity."

The consultation closes at midday on Friday 23^rd August.

To respond to this consultation opportunity, please complete and return the attached questionnaire either online at: www.bedford.gov.uk/brvp; or offline as follows:

By post: CONSULTING BEDFORD
FREEPOST ANG5840
BEDFORD
MK40 1ZD

By email: consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk

The Masterplan is also available in hard copy formats for viewing at the Customer Service Centre on Horne Lane, Priory Country Park, Borough Hall reception and all Borough Council libraries