The Mayor of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, has unveiled the first phase of an exciting programme of improvements on Epsom & Walton Downs.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council (EEBC) secured a grant of £132,000 from the European Agricultural Fund to support the rural economy by encouraging visitors. The EAFRD grant was boosted by a further £18,000 from The Jockey Club and £20,000 from the Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators.
Several benches, bins, counting posts, picnic tables, and waymarkers have already been installed since construction began earlier this year. The information boards will be completed in the next few weeks, and a brass rubbing trail is also in the works.
Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Epsom & Walton Downs Conservators, stated “I am delighted to see the improvements being made to this much-loved part of our Borough. We had three aims at the start of this project; to increase rural tourism; to improve safety for visitors and for both the horses and staff involved in racehorse training on the Downs; to educate people about the area. I think this initiative will help us to achieve those goals.
“I love the nods to our equestrian history on the benches and bins. The information boards will be a great asset in sharing the unique history and ecosystem of the area with visitors, and the counting posts will be able to tell the difference between walkers, cyclists and riders, so we can tailor facilities in the future. We hope that visitors to the Downs will enjoy these new resources.”