“Residents of Cookham Join Forces with Local Celebrities to Tackle Traffic Chaos and Create a Safer Cycling Environment in Their Village”

Imagine living in the picturesque village that inspired The Wind in the Willows, only to find it overwhelmed by heavy traffic.

That’s the reality for the residents of Cookham, where locals fear for their safety as cars flood the narrow country lanes.

The once-peaceful streets, which were once ideal for strolls along the river, have become a hazard, and residents are now fighting back.

Celebrities Band Together to Tackle Dangerous Roads

But Cookham isn’t sitting idly by. A group of well-known figures, including a TV comedian, an Olympic champion, and a TV naturalist, have joined forces to reclaim their streets.

They’re aiming to transform the village into something more like Amsterdam, with a focus on cycling and safer roads.

Eline Van Der Velden, an award-winning filmmaker and comedian, has been leading the charge.

Drawing inspiration from her Dutch heritage, Van Der Velden has proposed plans for a new cycle network around Cookham and nearby villages.

In a lighthearted but impactful video, she humorously highlighted the dangers of Cookham’s narrow roads and encouraged locals to support her cause. Her petition has already gathered 2,000 signatures.

A Safe, Bike-Friendly Future for Cookham

Van Der Velden’s vision is ambitious but simple: a ten-mile cycle path that would connect Cookham to Maidenhead’s Elizabeth Line station, making cycling the preferred mode of transport in the area.

“The traffic is as bad as it is in the cities, especially during school drop-offs,” she explains.

As a mother of one, she points out that heavy traffic and narrow footpaths make walking or cycling with children far too dangerous.

“You move to the countryside for fresh air and a peaceful life, but instead, you’re dealing with city-like traffic.”

Local support for the initiative has been strong, with fellow residents like wildlife TV presenter Steve Backshall and Olympic rowing champion Helen Glover backing the cause.

Backshall, known for his wildlife explorations, remarked that walking in Cookham felt more dangerous than swimming with sharks.

For Zoe Lister, former Hollyoaks star and a regular cyclist with her kids, the importance of safe roads for families is clear.

“This campaign is about making cycling safe and enjoyable for everyone,” she says.

A Touch of Humor to Drive Change

Van Der Velden’s humorous approach has struck a chord with many.

She joked that if the campaign doesn’t work, they might have to bring in local celebrity Ricky Gervais, who lives nearby, to push the council for action.

“Miss Holland has always embraced British culture in her own way, and this time, she’s tackling something that affects us all—road safety,” she explained.

The ultimate goal is to make cycling the default way to get around Cookham.

Cars would be used only for trips outside the village, creating a safer and quieter environment.

Van Der Velden envisions a setting similar to Center Parcs, but with better food and less noise from kids on zip lines.

A Path for Everyone in the Community

The proposal also includes paths for scooters, pushchairs, and even horseback riders.

These paths would connect key locations in Cookham, including schools, sports fields, and other community spaces.

In fact, the idea for this cycling network was first put forward by a local landowner five years ago.

The plan has already gained support from several stakeholders, including the Copas family, local landowners who helped shape the Neighbourhood Plan in 2019, and even the National Trust’s Cliveden Estate.

The local council has shown a cooperative attitude toward the idea, which Van Der Velden hopes will eventually become a blueprint for other villages struggling with traffic congestion.

“In the 1970s, most kids walked or cycled to school.

Now, everyone drives,” she says, hoping to reverse the trend and bring Cookham back to its quieter, more pedestrian-friendly roots.

The Legacy of The Wind in the Willows Meets a New Vision

It’s fitting that this campaign is taking place in Cookham, the village where Kenneth Grahame, the author of The Wind in the Willows, grew up and wrote the beloved story.

Now, as residents face modern-day challenges, they are looking to the past for inspiration while embracing a future that values community, sustainability, and safety.

If you want to support this initiative, you can find a link to the petition here and join the movement to make Cookham a safer place for everyone.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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