Helping you to ditch the car in favour of your own two feet – or wheels

We all know the benefits of walking and cycling when we can, not only for our own health but for the environment too. Clean Air Day last month highlighted these once again.

However, busy lives mean we all too often hop in the car for short journeys. It’s not always possible to make the change, but there are times it is and we’re keen to support ways to enable you to do this.

Last year we spent time putting together a guide detailing 10 walking routes from the main residential areas of Bishop’s Stortford to the town centre and four handy cut-throughs you may not know about. Our thanks to the Bishop’s Stortford Walking and Cycling Group and Cllr Chris Wilson for their input into this.

Each route uses footpaths and quieter roads, where possible, and is illustrated with a map and written description. Here is a taster of the routes featured in the brochure:

• Bishop’s Gate, avoiding Great Hadham Road and Windhill
• Thorley Neighbourhood Centre via the Thorley bus link
• St Michael’s Meads via Stockmen Field
• St Michael’s Hurst following the footpath along the River Stort
• Parsonage Lane area through Grange Paddocks and Sworder’s Field
• Haymeads Lane area via Pine Grove
• Thorley Hill area along footpath to Mulberry Court and then onto South Road
• Bishop’s Park avoiding the busiest section of Hadham Road
• Stortford Fields, along Cricketfield Lane and Elm Road
• Stortford South across Thorley Wedge, following quieter roads and footpaths

Why not take the opportunity on a sunny day or in the school holidays to try out the walk in, if you can? Pick up your FREE copy from the Tourist Information Centre in Market Square or the Bishop’s Stortford Independent office in Palmers Lane (off the top of Bridge Street).

We attended a presentation last week by East Herts Council and Herts County Council on development of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP). On Friday we’ll be attending the consultation for all stakeholders to hear about the routes they are looking at and will be adding our feedback on the priority routes in.

And just a final word on Independents Day on July 4. Whether it’s dinner out for a special occasion, a coffee with the girls, a new dress, family fun, a beauty treatment or a solicitor you need, you’ll find it right here in the centre of town.

Independent businesses are vital to our high streets. Not only do they give us character and vibrancy, they employ local people and are run by local people, who are passionate and knowledgeable about their product or service.

We have so many here in Bishop’s Stortford. You can see a full listing of all businesses on discoverstortford.co.uk, or pop into town and take a wander – you’ll be sure of a warm welcome.