Survey shows local support for Haddenham and Thame 'greenway'

The aspiration for an off-road walking and cycling link between Haddenham and Thame has won overwhelming support from local residents and community groups.

An online survey just before Christmas, which drew more than 2,000 responses, showed 94% of respondents would use an off-road walking and cycling route if one was introduced between Haddenham and Thame Parkway rail station and Thame.

The survey also found that 82% of respondents said they currently travel between the station and Thame by car, van or motorcycle, while 5% said they cycle and 2% said they walk.

Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member, said: "We canvassed local opinion because we wanted to know how people currently travel, and to assess whether it would be beneficial to pursue providing an off-road walking and cycling route. These are early days, but the results are encouraging." 

Mark said the survey results would help discussions about the aspirational traffic-free route connecting the two communities, with the walking and cycling charity Sustrans and Oxfordshire County Council.

Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member Environment, which includes transport, said: "The survey results shows that there is a real appetite for the scheme and that residents are keen for a more sustainable way to travel between both Thame and Haddenham. The results have been analysed by officers at Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and will now be used in progressing the scheme to the next stages. These are early stages for this scheme, but the survey uptake and results are encouraging."

A summary of the survey results can be found at https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/cycling-and-walking/new-walking-and-cycling-routes/haddenham-and-thame-greenway Money for the scheme would come from the Housing and Growth Deal fund.