Lottery success secures first step to reveal trail’s hidden heritage

Norfolk County Council’s Environment Team has secured initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for plans to open up the industrial and natural heritage of Marriott’s Way.
 

 
The backing also includes a grant of £36,600, which will support the development of the project and enable the Council to apply for a full grant at a later date.
 
The project aims to encourage more people to explore the Marriott’s Way – one of Norfolk’s popular long-distance trails that follows the line of a former railway line – by rediscovering its hidden industrial and natural heritage.
 
At 26 miles Marriott’s Way is the longest disused railway in England. It runs from Norwich to Aylsham, and is one of 11 long-distance pathways known as the Norfolk Trails that criss-cross the county and is well used for recreation and off-road cycling with 111,400 visits recorded in 2013.
 
The trail is named after railway engineer William Marriott in recognition of its former role as a railway that, for more than 100 years from the 1880s, helped to link North Norfolk with the Midlands via Norwich.
 
In addition to providing passenger services until 1959, the line was also used to move troops during the first and second world wars and was kept running to support the concrete industry at Lenwade until the line finally closed to all rail traffic in 1985.
 
While the railway line was ripped up and removed, other infrastructure, such as stations and platforms, still remain and these are now providing habitats for many species of wildlife.
 
This project will secure the future of these remnants of the trail’s industrial past, protect the wildlife found along the route, and encourage even more people to access the rich heritage that can be discovered there.
 
Robyn Llewellyn, head of HLF East of England, said: “Marriott’s Way sees remnants of an industrial past set amongst some wonderful wildlife but despite the popularity of the trail the heritage it holds is often unknown.
 
“We’re pleased to support this project, which will introduce existing and new users of the trail to this heritage and protect it for future generations to enjoy. We look forward to seeing the plans develop.”
 
Speaking about the funding, Dr Andy Hutcheson, countryside manager for Norfolk County Council, said: “This funding is excellent news and will help us take an important step towards realising our vision for recording and revealing the fascinating heritage of this long-distance path – and the wildlife which now lives there – which is quite literally hidden in the undergrowth along the path.
 
“We believe the project has the potential to encourage even more residents and visitors to get out and about into the wonderful Norfolk countryside, to enjoy the health benefits and the services of the numerous businesses – from pubs, cafés and shops to cycle hire and horse riding– which line the route.”
 
Cllr Toby Coke, chairman of the Environment, Development and Transport Committee at Norfolk County Council, added: “Our Norfolk Trails infrastructure is a great asset for our county and we estimate it contributes £12 million to Norfolk’s economy each year.
 
“It provides excellent countryside access and is an economic driver for thousands of rural businesses that provide services to the people who use them and vital jobs in local communities.
 
“This funding will help us continue to implement our policy of developing the Norfolk Trails to make them more attractive to more people and encourage them to spend their walking pound in our county rather than elsewhere.”
 

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