The Sunshine Coast Greenway is a proposed active travel project to create a tourism and leisure focused walking, wheeling and cycling route that joins up the countryside paths along the Colne Estuary, from Colchester to Colne Point, from Colne Point along the coastline and Hamford Water National Nature Reserve to Harwich and from Harwich to Dedham along the Stour estuary and from there back to Colchester.
Why?
These connections will create eco-leisure and active travel routes giving hundreds of thousands of local residents access to green commuting travel options as well as creating a spectacular eco-tourist attraction that will put Colchester, Tendring, the Colne and the Stour firmly on the eco-leisure map.
The area has spectacular views, bird watching, beaches, marshes, forests, nature reserves and charming estuarine towns. The completion of the Sunshine Coast Greenway will join up these many attractions and position the area for a central role in the sustainable, 21st Century leisure, tourism and travel infrastructure of the country.
The vision behind this campaign is that the Sunshine Coast Greenway should become an integral part of the many movements and campaigns across the country that are aiming to build a green, sustainable and ecological future with amenities that support leisure and work activities based on accessible public transport, walking and cycling, including for the old and physically less-able using electrically assisted cycling.
The Sunshine Coast Greenway project was born from a clear need to address several pressing issues:
- Safety and Accessibility: We’re creating a safe and accessible route that caters to cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users, promoting inclusivity in our community.
- Eco-Tourism: With its rich landscapes, our region is ripe for eco-tourism. The Greenway will unlock this potential, providing a minimal-impact way for visitors to explore our natural attractions.
- Healthy Living: By providing an attractive and accessible route for cycling and walking, we encourage our community to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily routines.
- Environmental Stewardship: The Greenway represents our commitment to a sustainable future, promoting green transport and fostering a deeper connection with nature.
Our Vision for the Sunshine Coast Greenway
Our main goal with the Sunshine Coast Greenway project is to build a route that is for everyone. Whether you’re on a bike, on foot, or in a wheelchair, we want you to feel safe and welcome.
We also want to help protect our planet. Our path will encourage people to travel in green ways that don’t harm the environment. This can help cut down on pollution, and it can also help people live healthier lives by being more active.
The Greenway is also about helping people enjoy nature. We want to show off the beauty of our area and get more people to visit in a way that’s kind to our environment.
The Sunshine Coast Greenway is all about working together to make our future better. It’s about getting more people outside, looking after our environment, and making sure everyone can join in.
Aims
The ultimate aim of the campaign is to create the Sunshine Coast Greenway connections that will ensure seamless, sustainable connectivity along the East bank of the Colne, the coast from Colne Point to the Naze, and the Stour estuary from Harwich to Manningtree.
As intermediate goals, the campaign will aim to:
- have the Tendring, Colchester and Essex plans include support for the chosen connected greenways, as well as have them integrated into the relevant national strategies and neighbourhood plans;
- gather local and national support for the campaign in general and for the specific greenway connectivity plans that the campaign selects; the particular motivations of supporters are likely to differ, but we expect to gather support from walkers, runners, recreational cyclists, commuters, birders, local businesses and even perhaps boat-users (who could see green access to moorings improved);
- identify and develop detailed specific proposals for greenway connections;
- identify the group of enthusiastic volunteers who will be able to devote time and skills to the advancement of the campaign;
- raise funds for all of the above
FAQ
What is the Sunshine Coast Greenway?
The Sunshine Coast Greenway is a project aimed at creating an inclusive, eco-friendly walking, cycling, and wheelchair route along the Colne estuary, connecting coastal, estuary, and countryside paths.
Who can use the Greenway?
The Greenway is designed for everyone, including cyclists, walkers, and wheelchair users. We aim to provide a safe and accessible route for all.
What areas does the Greenway cover?
The Greenway covers from Colchester to Brightlingsea, from St. Osyth to Harwich and Manningtree, and from there back to Colchester.
What can I see on the Greenway?
The route offers a variety of attractions, including spectacular views, bird watching spots, beaches, marshes, forests, nature reserves, and charming estuarine towns.
Why was the Greenway project started?
The project was started to provide a safe and accessible route for leisure and commuting, promote healthier lifestyles, stimulate eco-tourism, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
How can I support the Greenway project?
You can support the project in various ways: volunteering, endorsing, donating, or advocating for the project in your local community or to your local government.
How long is the route?
The full route length is still being finalised as part of the project planning phase. Keep an eye on our ‘Project Progress’ section for updates.
Is the route circular?
Yes, the route is intended to be a circular one, made up of individually-cyclable sections with multiple start and end points.