08:45AM, Friday 04 July 2014
One year on from the launch of plans to create a new Royal Windsor Walkway the man behind the project says it is on track and receiving a warm response from the public.
The Outdoor Trust won approval from the Royal Borough in June last year for the walkway planned to celebrate the Queen becoming the Britain's longest reigning monarch in September 2015.
Designer Jim Walker, chief executive of the trust, attended a fundraising dinner for the project hosted by Ian Macfadyen, constable and governor of Windsor Castle, on Wednesday.
"We have been consulting with people in the town and not one person has had a bad thing to say and has agreed with the proposals," said Jim, 47, "which is really exciting.
"We have had a number of people who have pledged funds towards the project so we are delighted with the response and the fact we haven't had to work hard to find people who are interested is a really good sign."
The walkway, which is estimated to cost £150,000, will be 6.32km, in reference to the more than 63 years the Queen will have been on the throne if she beats the record next year.
It will include 65-70 markers in the town.
Stops on the route will include Windsor Castle, Windsor Parish Church, The Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Bachelors Acre, Alexandra Gardens and the Thames path.
Father-of-four Jim, who designed the 60km Jubilee Greenway in London, said: "80 per cent of people who come to Windsor are here for four hours and spent most of the time in the castle, so the full economic potential of their visit is not being made the most of.
"Windsor is a working, living town and a successful place, so I want to show people there is something special outside the castle walls as well as inside.
"I want it to be as relevant to the people living in the town as well as the visitors so they can enjoy it together."
The Cheltenham resident says he hopes to raise the majority of the funds ahead of an official launch in September, a year before the walkway opens.
He also hopes to produce a promotional map of the walk as well as a free downloadable guide which will provide walkers with additional information.
The trust is still appealing for old photographs and anecdotes about Windsor which could be used as part of the project.
Email Jim.Walker@outdoortrust.com with information.
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