Children at Sweet Briar (credit: Denzil Dean)
Phase 2 - access and moving around the site
The main route – the Upland Route - will have a hard surface but will remain in keeping with the natural and unspoilt feeling. Seating will be provided at regular intervals as resting points and places to enjoy nature. This route will allow people of all abilities to move across Sweet Briar Marshes.
A second series of paths will form the ‘West Loop’ which will provide walks through the wetter scrub area and connect to the ‘Upland Route’. This loop will be on more uneven and at times wetter ground. It will be created in a way that is adaptable and ensures that wildlife is not affected.
An important priority which emerged from the consultation was accessible parking and an accessible toilet to enable people of all abilities to visit the site and connect with nature. We believe that the best location for this is at the end of Burnet Road where it joins the Marriott’s Way, but we need to ensure that this does not damage any valuable natural habitat, get the agreement of landowners and make sure it is acceptable for planning permission.
We will also be discussing with our neighbours other paths that could join Sweet Briar Marshes – such as linking to the Riverside Walk at Mile Cross Marsh and Marlpit Meadow.