A ‘car-free’ section of a newly-extended footpath and cycleway will make a “big difference” to local villagers.

The existing Waddesdon Greenway route has been extended by 800m to provide a new car-free thoroughfare to local schools, “suitable for walking, wheeling and cycling”.

The original route opened in 2018, connecting Waddesdon with Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station and Berryfields.

The extension – dubbed ‘Waddesdon Greenway School Link’ – provides a safer option for travelling between Aylesbury Town Centre and Waddesdon Village.

The path, which is mostly 3m wide, features solar stud lighting, and in the coming months, trees, hedges and an orchard are set to be added along the route.

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The new extension will “make a big difference to Waddesdon and beyond”, according to the council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Steven Broadbent.

He said: “It allows a safe, car-free connection to the schools and nursery in the village and offers an even better experience for people in the wider area who might be wheeling, cycling or walking.

“The new link also now enables children to cycle safely to school from Aylesbury to Waddesdon schools.

“And likewise, residents from Waddesdon to get to Aylesbury schools, work and Aylesbury Vale Parkway rail station for onward travel – such as commuting into London.”