Walk 24 - Loddon Drive

We would be pleased to hear from anyone with further evidence of use on foot along Loddon Drive prior to 2000. Phone David Bounds 0118 9320285 or email Dave Ramm daveramm@hotmail.co.uk.

PLEASE NOTE

Unfortunately, before setting out on this walk you will need to check the latest situation regarding the use of Loddon Drive (beyond Borough Marsh Bridge) on this page of the web site

Rambling for Pleasure around Reading, First Series.

Ramble 24 ‘Charvil Country Park and Borough Marsh’

An important note concerning use of LODDON DRIVE

LAST UPDATED: 10th December 2007

Lands End and Charvil Meadows to Borough Bridge

Unfortunately, following a public inquiry in November 2007, a government inspector chose not to confirm an order recognising the one-mile section of Loddon Drive from Borough Bridge to Wargrave Station that we had previously incorporated into our guidebooks between 1985 and 1997, as a presumed public right of way.

Therefore, as an Association we are now unable (despite the sale of 9000 books) to promote continued use of this part of Loddon Drive by walkers. We would however, like to take this opportunity to thank all those 132 walkers, mostly Wargrave & Charvil residents, who submitted evidence to the inquiry showing pedestrian use - in some cases for more than 60 years, without being challenged or passing signs bringing into question their right to walk along it.*

We are now obliged therefore, to terminate our route description on the attractive Borough Bridge where the definitive (legal) path stops at the parish boundary, which follows the centre of the river at this point. Walkers who would like to see the remaining ‘lost’ half of Loddon Drive added to the definitive map, should in the meantime write to Wokingham Borough Council and ask for it to be added to their Rights of Way Improvement Plan and for a Path Creation Order to be made. Without this missing link, Wargrave is virtually cut off from its riverside neighbours and from any easy access to the Thames Path National Trail. Quiet and well behaved walkers have used the path for many years; it would be a tragedy if this could not continue.

*Walkers who would like to know more about this process of how rights of way come into existence and much more besides, should ask for a copy of our fully illustrated and most informative guide, ‘The Secrets of Countryside Access’ £4.95

Text Box: For an insight into the history of the area, including Loddon Drive itself, we recommend ‘Historic Wargrave Walks’ published by the local history society and available in the village price £2.50

Please continue to refer to this website for the latest situation.