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TrailNet Pathways to Activity

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The following organisations all share Trailnet’s commitment to providing opportunities for outdoor physical activity and we have worked with most of these at some time or another on a range of initiatives:

Local Authorities & Public Bodies

Cycle Brentwood - Cycle advocacy group campaigning for improved local cycling provision 

Brentwood Cycling Charter  - a statement of support for cycling as a safe, natural choice for a large proportion of everyday journeys.

Essex County Council – ECC have worked closely with Trailnet on a number of health promotion and infrastructure initiatives. They manage the county’s Country Parks and have actively supported our work in those parks and elsewhere.

Brentwood Borough Council – BBC have been very supportive of Trailnet and have provided financial and other assistance in setting up our Thorndon Cycle Centre and our ReSpoke bike recycling operation. We have worked closely with the Active Brentwood team in organising, promoting and managing events for the local community.

Basildon District Council – BDC have done a lot of great work to promote health and physical activity, much of this through Active Basildon, a forum for sport and physical activity in Basildon, Billericay and Wickford with representation from BDC, South West Essex NHS and local sports clubs and other organisations.

Thurrock Council – Are developing an integrated network of cycle routes throughout the district and have published a helpful interactive map of these. Thurrock has many places of natural beauty, just take a walk around Langdon Hills on a warm summer evening, explore the Thames Riverfront and RSPB Nature Reserve or pay a visit to Davy Down or Belhus Woods.

London Borough of Barking & Dagenham – LBBD are a very forward thinking borough with a proactive approach to improving the health and well-being of local residents. They manage a number of parks and open spaces, including the newly established Beam Parklands which holds a regular programme of cycling, walking and geocaching events.

London Borough of Havering – LBH have implemented a number of cycling initiatives and have embraced cycle polo, with two tournaments already staged and more in the pipeline. With a newly-appointed Cycling Officer and supportive councillors, Havering look set to do even more to promote cycling.

London Borough of Redbridge – LBR are another of TfL’s ‘Cycling Boroughs’ and have been working hard to promote cycling within the area and they are a driving force behind promoting Bike Polo across the borough. Redbridge is home to the purpose built cycle circuit at Hog Hill, which provides traffic-free riding on tarmac and trail.

Charities and Social Enterprises

Sustrans - The sustainable transport charity committed to providing a network routes for cyclists, walkers and riders.

Essex Wildlife Trust – Essex Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity. It has more than 33,000 members, manages and protects over 8,200 acres of land on 87 nature reserves, 2 nature parks and runs 9 visitor centres, including one at our base at Thorndon Country Park.

Essex Bridleways Association – Dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of Bridleways in Essex. Local cyclists can thank EBA for helping to keep our network of off-road routes accessible and in good condition. 

Ramblers Association – Keeping public rights of way open throughout the Country. Organisers of social and healthy walking events.

Brentwood MIND – The Brentwood branch of the national charity, Brentwood Mind have been helping people in the community for over 30 years through their  drop-in and bridge building services. They help hundreds of people each year deal with depression, stress and a range of mental illnesses.

Brentwood Community Print – A Brentwood based CIC that runs a print shop that serves the local community with their printing needs.  Formally Rethink Graphics, BCP provide employment opportunities for people in recovery from mental illness.

Parks and Recreation Areas

Thorndon Country Park – Trailnet’s main activity centre located just south of Brentwood town centre. The park offers a variety of family friendly cycle routes and hosts several geocaches. Cycle hire and GPS hire available.

Thames Chase – Is our local Community Forest and is one of twelve new Community Forests in England. Well worth a visit to their visitor centre just east of Upminster town centre.

Hatfield Forest – Hatfield is the only remaining intact royal hunting forest from the time of the Norman kings, and is now maintained by the National Trust. Hatfield Forest now offers cycle hire in partnership with Trailnet.

Local Cycling Clubs

Shaftesbury Cycling Club is based at Mountnessing in Essex (between Brentwood and Chelmsford) and boasts over 160 members covering a very wide age range (3 months to over 80 years). The club’s main focus is time trials but members also take part in road racing, MTB, cyclocross and more sedate variants of the sport.

Essex Roads Cycling Club is based in Billericay and caters for all ride disciplines. ERCC hosts two very popular sportives: Spring Lambs and Autumn Leaves.

Gateway Cycling caters for anyone living in Thurrock and the Thames Gateway area that is interested in cycling. Whether you just want to take part in gentle social rides or push yourself to the limit in races, Gateway Cycling has something to offer.

Other Clubs & Associations

Havering and South Essex Orienteering Club is a small but active local club that welcomes beginners and experienced alike. HAVOC organises a number of events for all ages and abilities and their members are always happy to help novices learn the basics of the sport. HAVOC have also set up permanent orienteering courses in a number of local parks.

London Hardcourt Bike Polo Association – The LHBPA was founded in 2009 to encourage, support and develop participation in the sport of hardcourt bicycle polo throughout London. They actively promote the sport, support the London bike polo community, act as a central resource for information relating to the sport and organise a number of formal and informal Bike Polo tournaments. Since 2011, the LHBPA has worked closely with Trailnet in organising the annual East London Schools Inter-borough Bike Polo Tournament.