Spruce-up for Parkland Walk

By LiseS | Friday, February 05, 2010, 18:45

London’s longest Local Nature Reserve, the 4.5 mile Parkland Walk, will be smartened up this month as work begins to improve pathways and drainage as part of Transport for London’s scheme to encourage walking and cycling in the capital.

Also available in white: the Parkland Walk

The work, funded by TfL and costing £175,000, will start on February 15 and end in March. As well as refurbishing the drain system to stop water collecting and creating a hazard, obstacles such as old tree roots and protruding bricks or concrete will be removed, and better access for pushchairs and wheelchairs will be provided. Signage along the route will also be improved.

The Parkland Walk follows the course of a disused steam railway which ran between Alexandra Park and Finsbury Park. "The route creates an attractive green link between Finsbury Park and Highgate,” said TfL's Ben Plowden, “encouraging more people to cycle and walk while also providing better access for disabled people." He added that the scheme is expected to make cycling and walking easier, safer and more comfortable for people living in Haringey and Islington.

The newly refurbished Parkland Walk should be a great hit with nature walkers, being home to more than three hundred species of wild flowers and twenty-two species of butterflies.

"Parkland Walk is a major attraction for walkers and cyclists. This work will mean it can be used by more people, especially young families and people in wheelchairs,” said Labour councillor for leisure and culture Dhiren Basu.