New walk takes circuit through Green Belt

4:31pm Friday 13th July 2007

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A new circular walk through Oxford's Green Belt has been launched to draw city-dwellers into the country.

The 50-mile Green Belt Way creates a rural circuit around the city, offering a range of views of the famous dreaming spires.

It was the brainchild of the Oxfordshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and celebrates two major milestones.

CPRE spokesman Andy Boddington said: "Originally the idea was thought of 25 years ago.

"We decided that because CPRE Oxfordshire was 75 years old last year and the Green Belt is 50 years old next year, we wanted to do something to celebrate, so we picked up this old idea."

The route was created using existing footpaths and bridleways and took the group more than a year to design.

The final stages of its creation involved teams of people walking the trail, putting in waymarkers, checking access and directions.

The walk has also been designed to be easily reached by public transport.

Mr Boddington said the path ran past four of the city's park-and-ride sites and almost into the centre of Abingdon, Eynsham and Cumnor - meaning it has excellent bus links seven days a week.

Although the route is expected to attract visitors from outside the area, he said the main aim was to get Oxford residents to use and enjoy the Green Belt.

He said: "The Green Belt has protected the city by stopping endless expansion.

"We argue about whether it should be built on, but people living in the city don't use it that much.

"We hope people will walk it in sections, travelling to and from the city by public transport as much as possible."

For more details, maps and directions, see www.greenbeltway.org.uk