Opening of Cadley and Coronation Park & barrier work.

Several of our recent articles have focused on the fledgling cycle network developments around Swadlincote.  Happily, a few weeks ago the 2 new parks to the south of Swadlincote were officially opened, therefore providing more off road cycling facilities within the area.

Coronation Park Information board

 Hallfields Road path towards Coronation Park

Events took place at both parks with cycling related activities happening on the learn to ride and bmx track at Cadley Park (located between the golf centre and the Ruby Way estate).  On the other side of the golf centre in Coronation Park there were several stalls and other activities including tree planting of a new orchard which looked well attended and enjoyed.

Path from Golf Centre to Cadley Park

Both parks feature wide paths to be suitable for shared use and although relatively bare at the moment there are lots of baby trees planted which will grow over the next few years.  We are sure that both parks will become a focal point for several activities and hope to be able to join in to support.

New footbridge at entrance to Cadley Park

From a cycling point of view this now creates a route into Swadlincote from the A444 without having to double back from Cadley Hill Roundabout and use William Nadin Way.  After the Park Road turning for Newhall and just before the Gate Inn, by turning off from Hallfields Road, an number of off road paths now transverse Coronation Park towards the Golf Centre car park.  Through the car park the path continues to the right hand side of the driving range (thankfully well fenced) towards Cadley Park.  At Cadley Park you can either follow the path round towards the learn to ride & BMX facilities and then follow residential streets or branch off right over a new footbridge and towards the estate entrance.  This then links with further infrastructure between the housing and William Nadin Way towards the Cobblestone Drive estate.

View over Cadley Park with BMX track in front

At this point there is still the obstacle of a very narrow wooden bridge which is not easy to take a bike over, but not impossible.  From here you can either use the residential streets or take the off road section at the front of the estate parallel to William Nadin Way.  Either way converges near the allotments and onto Darklands Lane and onto the Toucan Crossing on Darklands Road.  Thereafter the route still needs to be better signed through the town centre area but the mile or so of off road cycling is certainly a more pleasant way to arrive in Swadlincote.

Cadley Park sign and map

Other Recent News

Meanwhile, in the Heart of the National Forest we have seen the removal of a few of the A-gate barriers.  Whilst these are important to deter motor vehicles, they also deter mobility scooters and make it difficult for those with child seats and tag-alongs.  The barriers are being replaced with more sensible posts as shown.  So far they have been replaced between Conkers Discovery and Albert Village Lake.  We'll keep an eye on any further changes.

Please keep an eye on signage at Albert Village Lake as there have been some recent closures due to an outbreak of avian flu.

Beat the Street Swadlincote - a review

Our last blog article very briefly mentioned Beat the Street.  Since then the game has been played out on the streets in and around Swadlincote by 6395 people, including myself.

A Beat box in Linton

Personally I have very much enjoyed taking part and have been able to contribute regularly as part of my daily cycling commute.

For those unfamiliar with the game, between  the launch at Sharpes Pottery on 15th March and 26th April there were 52 "beat boxes" placed at areas around the local area.  Players either used a registered card or a phone based app to swipe onto the beat boxes to gain points whilst walking or cycling around the area.  In order to gain points you needed to swipe at another beat box within an hour.

Beat boxes highlighted on map

Mainly aimed at children, several beat boxes were stationed near schools and people were encouraged to join teams such as schools, companies or running groups.  Initially I intended to play it every now and again and leave the game to the youngsters but then upon registering about a week after launch I noticed that quite a few adults and running groups already with significant scores so I thought I'd put in a bit of 2-wheeled competition!

The concept aimed to get people active by increasing the level of walking, cycling and wheeling and looks to have been a success with 50189 miles covered in total.  For me, I did a few bike rides other than my commute, which I did extend on most days to take a detour for a couple of beat boxes.  After nearly a couple of decades of cycling down the A444 to Burton, it was nice to have a bit of fun for a few weeks.

The game was livened up with certain events that doubled the points score from 10 to 20 on some beat boxes.  The opening of the Cadley Park and Coronation Park during the game also helped with some nice infrastructure between a couple of beat boxes.  Also there were award badges granted based on cumulative points scored and this also included a commuter award noted for beat boxes visited during morning and evening rush hours.  

Awards available

I'd have liked to have visited all 52 beat boxes but with other commitments and some poor weather I was unable to do so but still covered a good number.  Progress was charted nicely on the website / app with points updates, leaderboards and a full review of beatboxes visited along with a summary of how far between beat boxes you had travelled.  I was able to visit 3 beat boxes regularly on the way to work and 3 on the way back which helped with a steady points score.  

Whilst all beat boxes were easily accessible for those on foot and most were easily accessible by bike although I tended not to cross the busy A444 in the morning to get a few more points, preferring to pick them up on the way home.

Mileage Summary

In terms of non commute rides, within an hours cycling I could visit around 10 beat boxes.  Tending to start on those at Castleton Park (3) I'd then do a loop around Linton, perhaps Overseal and then back to Castle Gresley via Mountpleasant Road.  Such journeys probably more practical for more experienced cyclists rather than the very young.  I also did similar journeys to Rosliston, which was pretty much the southern boundary of the game.  As mentioned above the new infrastucture around the new parks allowed me to take a more scenic detour away from the A444 and the new route in past the golf centre and new estates had a run of beat boxes.

Points total

On my first trip out I was concerned as I noticed people getting in and out of cars to do it which was completely outside of the rules and spirit of the game.  There was an opportunity to report such transgressions if so needed by noting what time you'd visited a beat box.  Again, it didn't seem in the spirit of the game to do this, my first thought was that they were only cheating themselves but with the prizes up for grabs they were also cheating others.  It also meant people were making non-essential journeys into residential areas in cars.

Journey summary

Happily though, I only ever saw that on my first trip, perhaps when the game was new and people were building up points.  On the rest of it I've seen a great variety of people doing it from children on bikes, dog walkers and a notable number of senior citizens making more fun of their daily walks and it's nice to have something else to have in common and chat about with people.  It was nice to see quite a few parents and small children doing it together - certainly quality time together.  The spread of boxes around the area led to a good competition between local primary schools.  Areas such as Newhall, Woodville, Hartshorne and Midway also featured several boxes around local schools.

List of worthy winners - well done all.

I was happy with my score, finishing just outside the top 100 but happier that I'd had fun and been part of something that brought a smile to many and has clearly had a beneficial effect on those who participated.  The winners scores were very impressive and they obviously took the game very seriously.

A closing event was held on Eureka Park to celebrate the event and give prizes out to category winners.  Obviously a project of this magnitude will involve cost but hopefully the legacy that the game leaves in terms of increasing activity will have been worth that.