27.03.06
Grand Opening of St Guron's Way - Bodmin's new off-road trail, Thursday, 6th April 2006

Official opening photocall/interview opportunity: Thursday 6th April 2006 at 11.45 am, at the start of the route from Bawden Road, Bodmin.

Directions: From the mini roundabouts near Bodmin Clock Tower go down St Mary's Road until you come to Bawden Road on the left hand side and meet at the end of Bawden Road.

People in Bodmin are being encouraged to put their best foot forward by taking part in the official opening of a new "Greenway" in the town on Thursday 6th April. The St Guron's Way, is a multi use, off road trail, which links the two sides of the town connecting the Dragon Leisure Centre and Bodmin College to residential neighbourhoods. Residents, pupils and workers on the nearby Walker Lines Industrial Estate can now walk or cycle to work or school away from traffic and in safety. The trail skirts the edge of the Beacon Local Nature Reserve and runs alongside the Bodmin and Wenford Railway, creating a unique "Greenway" which connects people to places of work, leisure and learning.

The Grand Opening at 11.45 am on Thursday April 6th is open to everyone to come along and experience the new trail first hand. Participants will learn more about walking and cycling opportunities in the area, whilst taking in some of the most beautiful countryside that surrounds the town. There will also be the chance to have a say in the trail's future development and enter a draw to win a number of fantastic prizes from food hampers to vouchers for mountain boarding.

The first users of the trail can join the inaugural walk from either Bawden or Whitestone Road. Specially invited guests representing the organisations that have funded and delivered the project will also be in attendance. These include Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund, Objective One, Cornwall County Council, North Cornwall District Council, County Environmental Trust, Western Power Distribution and Wainhomes. The new St Guron's Way is predominately level and traffic free making it suitable for most abilities. People attending the opening will be provided with refreshments featuring local produce at the Dragon Leisure Centre.

The new trail is already very popular with the local community. Bodmin College students have provided much of the inspiration for temporary artwork displays along the trail and many of them are regularly walking or cycling along the new facility. On the opening day students of all ages will be taking part in a series of events and activities which celebrate the trail and its connections to the Safer Routes to Schools and Healthy Schools initiatives. Amongst the nearly 30 activities planned on the College site and at the Dragon Leisure Centre are skateboarding on a new mobile park, orienteering, football and futsal coaching, gym, swimming, tennis, aerobics and healthy catering workshops. There's also the opportunity for students to take part in cycling skills sessions, learn about cycle maintenance and discover the College's new secure cycle storage facilities. Throughout the festivities Bodmin Jazz Youth Orchestra will be playing at various locations to keep the atmosphere lively.

St Guron's Way has been developed as part of the Walk to Work Project – led by North Cornwall District Council in partnership with others seeking to develop and enhance the multi use trail network in North Cornwall. Cllr Neil Burden, Chairman of NCDC's Regeneration Committee said: "North Cornwall District Council members and officers are always exploring ways to improve the local environment for local communities. This new multi purpose route named St Guron's Way on the southern side of Bodmin ably demonstrates this, people can cross from one side of town to the other, barely seeing a car and enjoying some the area's most panoramic views and countryside. There are also positive spin offs in reduced car journeys and congestion, certainly a healthy way to go. This project has only been possible by significant partnership working by dedicated and committed officers for whom we applaud and thank. The opening of St Guron's Way is certainly a testament to the commitment of all those involved in the partnership to making Bodmin a better place to work and live."

Peter Moore, Chief Transportation Engineer at Cornwall County Council said: "Cornwall County Council is delighted to have been able to contribute to the development of this key project. We are committed to the promotion of sustainable travel and the development of such a significant section of walking and cycling route as a safer alternative to the congested on road routes around the town fits in very well with our Local Transport Plan. It is great to see that this route is already being well used and I hope that it will provide both a convenient and healthy alternative for commuters of all ages as well as an enjoyable leisure facility."

Sustainable Access Officer for North Cornwall District Council, Emma Rojano is delighted at the way pupils and residents of Bodmin have already taken the trail to heart: "All through this project the idea of enhancing Bodmin's off road connections has received a lot of support. Bodmin College has been key to this and local businesses are now encouraging their staff to use the route as well as donating many of the prizes and refreshments for the opening day. I am grateful for the support we have received and am also looking forward to seeing the pupils, residents and workers in the town use this wonderful new facility."

For further information please contact Emma Rojano of North Cornwall District Council on 01208 265686 or email: emma.rojano@ncdc.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Walk to Work routes 1, 2 and 3 projects through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Developed by North Cornwall District Council the Walk to Work project has created and additional 3.5 kilometres of new routes centred around the strategic town of Bodmin and the Camel Trail. This represents a major investment for the District acknowledging the economic, environmental and social value of sustainable development.

A competition asking for suggestions to name the new route received a large number of entries all reflecting the rich culture and heritage. After great deliberation St Guron's Way was selected, reflecting Bodmin's ecclesiastical roots from which the town ultimately developed.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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