Progress report for the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link
Dr Stuart Withington, Chair Flitch Way Action Group, Presentation at AGM February 2026
Flitch Way Action Group has been working for many years to reconnect the missing sections of the Flitch Way around Dunmow and from Start Hill to Bishop’s Stortford together with links to Dunmow town centre and Stansted Airport transport hub. This would provide much needed safe, off road, active travel routes for walkers, wheelers and horse riders.
We have had many successes: routes constructed through the Brambles and Maynard Park estates in Dunmow together with a resurfaced footpath towards the centre of town. We have secured a S106 agreement for a bridleway from Clapton Hall Road, through Smiths Farm to Hoblongs Crossing together with a Pegasus controlled crossing over the busy B1256. A S106 agreement with Moor’s Field development for £207k to provide a new bridge over the River Chelmer and some resurfacing work. A S106 agreement with developers of Staggs Farm for a new bridleway from Buttleys Lane to the Brambles estate.
During 2025 we have focused on:
A notable absence this year has been any relevant Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) or Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) from either Uttlesford or Essex County councils. The consultations have been carried out and the results collated and examined but still no plan. Both councils acknowledge the need to improve active travel routes in more rural areas and to improve village connections but all the emphasis from both councils is clearly in larger urban centres. With the imminent introduction of the local government reorganisation plan I have little expectation that any relevant LCWIP or RoWIP will be produced this year.
At last year’s AGM we were fortunate to have Cllr Tom Cunningham, portfolio holder for Highways at ECC attend. This led to improved dialogue with Highways and eventually Tom, together with other members of FWAG, walked our preferred route from Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way at Start Hill. Although time was limited, I did manage to show Tom the dangerous crossing of the B1256 and the “Cherry Garden” bridge near Hoblongs junction. On a subsequent visit, Tom and I walked our suggested route from the Flitch Way up to the perimeter of the mid-stay car park at Stansted Airport. Following this walkabout Tom said the way forward for the whole project would be to hold an in-person meeting with all the key stakeholders from FWAG, UDC, ECC, Stansted Airport and the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Trust (WWCT).
This meeting was to take place at County Hall on the 21st January. Unfortunately, on the 16th January I received an email from Cllr Mark Platt informing me that there had been a cabinet reshuffle and that he was now the portfolio holder for Highways. He suggested cancelling this meeting and that he would set two officers the task of finding funding for a feasibility study and then report back. I have had no further communication and will contact him in due course.
On a more positive note, I did have a meeting with Mr Steve Mills, surface access manager at Stansted, who thought our plan to have an active travel connection to the mid-stay car park would be good to try and reduce the number of pedestrians walking across the busy and dangerous internal road system.
I also have had very constructive meetings and a short cycle on the Flitch Way with Sarah Lidington, the new Senior Network Development Manager with the WWCT (formerly Sustrans). She is currently trying to recruit a new officer for the East of England who I am sure will be great asset for us.
I note that Active Travel England have allocated nearly £25m to ECC over the next four years to promote and encourage a modal shift towards more active travel, improve the infrastructure and provide new routes to connect with major transport hubs. It can only be hoped that some funding will go towards the Flitch Way.
In January the Planning Inspectorate approved the new Uttlesford Local Plan. This is an important step forward for Uttlesford, but the approval did come with some notable Main Modifications (MM) from the inspectors. Those MM’s concerning the Flitch way and active travel are below:
“We acknowledge that some of the concerns expressed by respondents on sustainable transport schemes have merit. The active travel corridor between Takeley and London Stansted Airport, and the use of Flitch Way for increased walking and cycling, are both worthwhile projects that have potential to improve active travel. However, these are as yet at the early stages of planning, and there may be obstacles to their full implementation. Nevertheless, neither of these projects are essential for the delivery of new development. Their implementation, even if not fully realised, together with other sustainable transport initiatives such as the mobility hubs, will help to encourage the use of walking, cycling and bus options for those who are willing and able to do so. In the South Uttlesford Site Development Template, MM51 clarifies for effectiveness that contributions may be sought for improvement of the Flitch Way from strategic development at Takeley”.
“Parking proposals (at Stansted Airport) should include secure and prominent cycle parking with provision of safe and direct cycle connections to the wider highway network. The wording for this has been agreed by Manchester Airport Group”.
I think it will be very beneficial for our project that it is so clearly mentioned by the planning inspectorate in modifications that they have made to the accepted local plan and help support our plans with more inclusion of the Flitch Way in S106 agreements and CIL payments in the future.
An ongoing challenge has been arranging a face-to-face meeting with the owners of Harps Farm, whose land our preferred route through to Bishop’s Stortford is on. This is not due to lack of trying but I’m sure that with the backing of UDC, ECC, WWCT and Active Travel England this will not be an insurmountable issue.
Over the time that FWAG have been working much has already been achieved, members have come and gone, some remain dormant and one inspiration leader has sadly died but we carry on. There is still much to do but with the high-level backing and support we have been receiving and ongoing S106 funding I’m sure we will achieve much more. New members always welcome!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have attended this meeting, all those involved with FWAG and especially Sandra Lloyd, our treasurer, who despite major difficulties continues to support us.
We have had many successes: routes constructed through the Brambles and Maynard Park estates in Dunmow together with a resurfaced footpath towards the centre of town. We have secured a S106 agreement for a bridleway from Clapton Hall Road, through Smiths Farm to Hoblongs Crossing together with a Pegasus controlled crossing over the busy B1256. A S106 agreement with Moor’s Field development for £207k to provide a new bridge over the River Chelmer and some resurfacing work. A S106 agreement with developers of Staggs Farm for a new bridleway from Buttleys Lane to the Brambles estate.
During 2025 we have focused on:
- extending the Flitch Way from its present termination at Start Hill to Bishop’s Stortford. Our current preferred route is by way of a field edge track to an underpass beneath the M11 with a possible alternative route over the M11via a farm bridge.
- identifying and promoting a preferred route from the Flitch Way to the Stansted Airport mid-stay car park, all over existing ProW tracks. This would provide an easy and safe active travel route to connect with the airport’s internal travel system.
- eliminating the dangerous dogleg around the Uttlesford waste depot site on High Cross Lane East via a safe, off-road route agreed with the landowners and their tenant.
- keeping a close watch on committed S106 projects especially the new bridleway bridge over the river Chelmer where funding is due prior to the first house being occupied.
A notable absence this year has been any relevant Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) or Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) from either Uttlesford or Essex County councils. The consultations have been carried out and the results collated and examined but still no plan. Both councils acknowledge the need to improve active travel routes in more rural areas and to improve village connections but all the emphasis from both councils is clearly in larger urban centres. With the imminent introduction of the local government reorganisation plan I have little expectation that any relevant LCWIP or RoWIP will be produced this year.
At last year’s AGM we were fortunate to have Cllr Tom Cunningham, portfolio holder for Highways at ECC attend. This led to improved dialogue with Highways and eventually Tom, together with other members of FWAG, walked our preferred route from Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way at Start Hill. Although time was limited, I did manage to show Tom the dangerous crossing of the B1256 and the “Cherry Garden” bridge near Hoblongs junction. On a subsequent visit, Tom and I walked our suggested route from the Flitch Way up to the perimeter of the mid-stay car park at Stansted Airport. Following this walkabout Tom said the way forward for the whole project would be to hold an in-person meeting with all the key stakeholders from FWAG, UDC, ECC, Stansted Airport and the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Trust (WWCT).
This meeting was to take place at County Hall on the 21st January. Unfortunately, on the 16th January I received an email from Cllr Mark Platt informing me that there had been a cabinet reshuffle and that he was now the portfolio holder for Highways. He suggested cancelling this meeting and that he would set two officers the task of finding funding for a feasibility study and then report back. I have had no further communication and will contact him in due course.
On a more positive note, I did have a meeting with Mr Steve Mills, surface access manager at Stansted, who thought our plan to have an active travel connection to the mid-stay car park would be good to try and reduce the number of pedestrians walking across the busy and dangerous internal road system.
I also have had very constructive meetings and a short cycle on the Flitch Way with Sarah Lidington, the new Senior Network Development Manager with the WWCT (formerly Sustrans). She is currently trying to recruit a new officer for the East of England who I am sure will be great asset for us.
I note that Active Travel England have allocated nearly £25m to ECC over the next four years to promote and encourage a modal shift towards more active travel, improve the infrastructure and provide new routes to connect with major transport hubs. It can only be hoped that some funding will go towards the Flitch Way.
In January the Planning Inspectorate approved the new Uttlesford Local Plan. This is an important step forward for Uttlesford, but the approval did come with some notable Main Modifications (MM) from the inspectors. Those MM’s concerning the Flitch way and active travel are below:
“We acknowledge that some of the concerns expressed by respondents on sustainable transport schemes have merit. The active travel corridor between Takeley and London Stansted Airport, and the use of Flitch Way for increased walking and cycling, are both worthwhile projects that have potential to improve active travel. However, these are as yet at the early stages of planning, and there may be obstacles to their full implementation. Nevertheless, neither of these projects are essential for the delivery of new development. Their implementation, even if not fully realised, together with other sustainable transport initiatives such as the mobility hubs, will help to encourage the use of walking, cycling and bus options for those who are willing and able to do so. In the South Uttlesford Site Development Template, MM51 clarifies for effectiveness that contributions may be sought for improvement of the Flitch Way from strategic development at Takeley”.
“Parking proposals (at Stansted Airport) should include secure and prominent cycle parking with provision of safe and direct cycle connections to the wider highway network. The wording for this has been agreed by Manchester Airport Group”.
I think it will be very beneficial for our project that it is so clearly mentioned by the planning inspectorate in modifications that they have made to the accepted local plan and help support our plans with more inclusion of the Flitch Way in S106 agreements and CIL payments in the future.
An ongoing challenge has been arranging a face-to-face meeting with the owners of Harps Farm, whose land our preferred route through to Bishop’s Stortford is on. This is not due to lack of trying but I’m sure that with the backing of UDC, ECC, WWCT and Active Travel England this will not be an insurmountable issue.
Over the time that FWAG have been working much has already been achieved, members have come and gone, some remain dormant and one inspiration leader has sadly died but we carry on. There is still much to do but with the high-level backing and support we have been receiving and ongoing S106 funding I’m sure we will achieve much more. New members always welcome!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have attended this meeting, all those involved with FWAG and especially Sandra Lloyd, our treasurer, who despite major difficulties continues to support us.
Flitch Way Link maps
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Planned route - updated February 2023
Map showing the status of the planned route connecting the Flitch Way across Great Dunmow. 
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Existing Flitch connections
Current cycle and pedestrian connections across Great Dunmow. 
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Click on the maps to download
Latest Status
Bishops Stortford to Flitch Way at Start Hill
Uttlesford District Council via Cllr Louise Pepper have funded a route options study to determine the optimal way to link Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and on to the station and airport at Stansted.
Uttlesford District Council via Cllr Louise Pepper have funded a route options study to determine the optimal way to link Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and on to the station and airport at Stansted.
Butleys Lane to Ongar Road (The Brambles development)
In December 2021, it was agreed via planning approval that this section of the route is to be provided by the developers of Staggs Farm and will form an important route to the proposed new development of Helena Romanes School. The s106 funding to secure this route has been agreed but the start date for the development has yet to be decided.
In December 2021, it was agreed via planning approval that this section of the route is to be provided by the developers of Staggs Farm and will form an important route to the proposed new development of Helena Romanes School. The s106 funding to secure this route has been agreed but the start date for the development has yet to be decided.
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Ongar Road North Development (“The Brambles”)
The bridleway through the Brambles development opened in 2020. We have been impressed with Redrow’s commitment to the construction of this well-made track. They also upgraded the footpath section up to the bridge over the B1256 to New Street. We are grateful to the developers for fulfilling their obligations. 
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Ongar Road Crossing
A pedestrian crossing is to be provided by the developers of the Oaklands estate. At present the proposed crossing is poorly sited. It would make sense to move and upgrade it so that everyone wishing to cross the Ongar Road can use it. At the very least this crossing will slow traffic and make Ongar Road safer for pedestrians, riders and cyclists and we understand that Essex Highways are working on this. |
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Ongar Road South Development (“Maynard Park”)
Taylor Wimpey have completed the ramp from the estate down to Clapton Hall Lane to a high standard and the bridleway along the perimeter of the development is now open. |
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Smiths Farm Development
Work on the Smith’s Farm development stalled several years ago and is still awaiting a ruling from the European Courts. The Bridleway connection from Maynard Park estate is still in the plans but there are no dates yet for the continuation of this development.
Chelmsford Road Crossing
This crossing on the Flitch Way has been highlighted as dangerous on many occasions and indeed a recent accident has reinforced this view. A new crossing is part of the Smith’s Farm development, but this has been in planning on for over ten years. As a result, a temporary solution of a pedestrian refuge has been put forward and is currently awaiting a decision from the Local Highways Panel.
Work on the Smith’s Farm development stalled several years ago and is still awaiting a ruling from the European Courts. The Bridleway connection from Maynard Park estate is still in the plans but there are no dates yet for the continuation of this development.
Chelmsford Road Crossing
This crossing on the Flitch Way has been highlighted as dangerous on many occasions and indeed a recent accident has reinforced this view. A new crossing is part of the Smith’s Farm development, but this has been in planning on for over ten years. As a result, a temporary solution of a pedestrian refuge has been put forward and is currently awaiting a decision from the Local Highways Panel.
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Footpath 90 and Byway 57 and the Chelmer
The current bridge is wholly inadequate for a bridleway and needs to be replaced. Two quotes for a replacement have been received and are currently being considered by Essex Highways and the Local Highways Panel. |
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Byway 57 was closed for several months at the start of 2020 for ECC to implement welcome improvements to the surface and drainage and we participated in a scheme initiated by responsible off-roaders to place gabions next to the byway to deter rogue drivers trespassing on neighbouring land and damaging the river banks.
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Before (top) and after the improvement work
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It has been another exciting and productive year for the group. I would like to formally welcome Stephen Skinner from the East Herts cyclists and Cllr Louise Pepper from Uttlesford District Council to the group, I am sure they will both prove to be valuable assets.
Next Steps
Continue to forge good and collaborative relationships with Hertfordshire County Council, Uttlesford District Council, Stansted Airport and Essex Highways.
Try and make the Flitch Way a top priority project for Great Dunmow Town Council in order to ensure that S106 money will be available for the project. As all councils have declared a climate and environmental emergency, active travel has been pushed to the fore and we should hope to capitalise on this welcome change in priorities.
Next Steps
Continue to forge good and collaborative relationships with Hertfordshire County Council, Uttlesford District Council, Stansted Airport and Essex Highways.
Try and make the Flitch Way a top priority project for Great Dunmow Town Council in order to ensure that S106 money will be available for the project. As all councils have declared a climate and environmental emergency, active travel has been pushed to the fore and we should hope to capitalise on this welcome change in priorities.
Authorities helping achieving our vision
In order to achieve our vision of connecting the Flitch Way with a definitive bridleway we have established a good working relationship with the planning authority Uttlesford District Council, planning process on applications affecting our route.
Essex Highways are supportive and have adopted the connection project. At our first meeting with Garry White (Manager of the Public Right of Way team) on the 15th Jan 2010 he reported that the project has scored highly on the Essex County Council works list as a most important strategic creation project and he entitled the project the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link.
We verified the route by exploring each phase on foot. Since then planning applications for housing developments around Great Dunmow have had potential to impact on the viability of the project.
Although all planning and design considerations are negotiated by Uttlesford District Council Planning Authority and Essex Highways, we recognise that we need a positive relationship with the housing developers, to communicate to them the needs and aspirations of the project and to gain their good will in the provision of requirements. In this we have been successful.
The housing developers recognise that connection with our project is beneficial to the facilities provided for their developments by providing access to the Flitch Way and for cycling and walking to places of education, employment, leisure, shopping etc.
Essex Highways are supportive and have adopted the connection project. At our first meeting with Garry White (Manager of the Public Right of Way team) on the 15th Jan 2010 he reported that the project has scored highly on the Essex County Council works list as a most important strategic creation project and he entitled the project the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link.
We verified the route by exploring each phase on foot. Since then planning applications for housing developments around Great Dunmow have had potential to impact on the viability of the project.
Although all planning and design considerations are negotiated by Uttlesford District Council Planning Authority and Essex Highways, we recognise that we need a positive relationship with the housing developers, to communicate to them the needs and aspirations of the project and to gain their good will in the provision of requirements. In this we have been successful.
The housing developers recognise that connection with our project is beneficial to the facilities provided for their developments by providing access to the Flitch Way and for cycling and walking to places of education, employment, leisure, shopping etc.
Support from key stakeholders
We also have the support of the following organisations - Sustrans, Cycling UK (formerly the C.T.C.), The Ramblers Association, British Horse Society and most prominently Essex Bridleways Association. The Essex Country Parks Flitch Way rangers and the Friends of the Flitch Way support the project and see the securing of this viable and safe bridleway link as a significant and worthwhile goal.