P3 is a scheme that can improve your access to the local countryside. It can help you replace stiles with kissing gates, look after green places and sites. You can join or even lead guided walks and produce leaflets about the paths in your parish and places of interest.

P3 brings together the Highway Authority, local councils, community groups and volunteers to open up and maintain local paths and encourage people to use and enjoy them. In Central Bedfordshire, P3 has been running for over a decade and over 60 parishes and local groups have joined to take advantage of the money, training and advice available.

A five year action plan (PDF 4.4MB) was published in 2007, detailing the aims of the project.

To find out more about countryside community projects in Central Bedfordshire please contact:

P3@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Steve Halton
Senior Project Officer
Countryside Access Team
Central Bedfordshire Council
Technology House
239 Ampthill Road
BEDFORD
MK42 9BD

Some of the P3/Community groups have their own websites.

Arlesey website

Friends of Linslade Wood

Friends of Knolls Wood Leighton Buzzard

Harlington

Heath and Reach website

Leighton Linslade (PDF 213KB)

Shefford

Stotfold

Studham

Below are copies of leaflets or links to local groups who have walks on their websites.

Chalgrave

Heath and Reach

Arlesey

Whatever it is that you are doing we like to keep you safe. Risk Assessments are an established way of doing this. We have risk assessments for leading walks, cleaning vegetation, lifting as well as using power tools.

The risk assessments are in two parts

The log sheet

This is a table that is filled in (ideally on the day of the task) and records the date, leader, location and weather. The same sheet can be used for several tasks. The log should be kept for seven years to comply with Health and Safety legislation. They can be kept electronically or as a paper copy.  

The Risk Assessment

We have a selection that cover different activities. Before a task print off and laminate the appropriate assessment and ensure that all members of the group familiarise themselves with it before starting the task. 

If you need printed paper copies please contact Steve Halton who's details can be found in the Contacts Section. 

Risk Assessments Documents

Log Sheet of Activities (PDF 29KB)

Activity log sheet overview (PDF 78KB)

Clearing Vegetation (PDF 41KB)

Construction (PDF 593KB)

Guided Walks (PDF 566KB)

Hedge and Tree Planting (PDF 33KB)

Site Risk Assessment (PDF 491KB)

Strimmer Use (PDF 457KB)

Talks (PDF 257KB)