37. Barnfield College, New Bedford Road
Themes: Community engagement and participation; Promoting appropriate and sympathetic land management
Objectives:
- Increase public access to and involvement in the river
- Increase the amount and quality of habitat
Project description
The Riddy Brook from Cowslip Meadow to Kingsdown Avenue is culverted under the A6 New Bedford Road until it joins with the River Lea and can be seen again at Kingsdown Avenue.
The redevelopment plans for Barnfield College New Bedford Road campus propose to create a linear park along the front of the site, along New Bedford Road itself, and close to the original line of the Riddy Brook. This area is not currently open to the public and will be available for community use with entrances on Kingsdown Avenue and New Bedford Road. Whilst the plans will not de-culvert the brook there will be appropriate landscape improvements incorporating the existing mature trees and improvements in connectivity, access and signage and will create a link between Cowslip Meadow and the Lea to the south.
This route is part of National Cycle Route 6 and is key in aspirations to improve non-motorised access between Luton and Bedford.