Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage

13 May 2004

Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee

13 May 2004

Project Appraisal: Chawton Park Wood - National Cycle Network Proposals

Director of the Director of Environment and the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Item 1

Item 6

Hampshire County Council

Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee

13 May 2004

Project Appraisal: Chawton Park Wood - National Cycle Network Proposals

Report of the Director of Environment and Director of Recreation and Heritage

Item 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - RECREATION & HERITAGE

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

CHAWTON PARK WOOD - NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

OCTOBER 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Sept 03

(at Sept 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

40

40

Fees

0

0

40

40

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

40

40

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

40

(b) Other

40

2.

From other resources

(a) Fees (met by Recreation and Heritage)

-

5

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

45

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

2

0.002

TOTAL net expenditure

2

0.002

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

In July 2003 the Executive Member for Environment approved the County Council's Recreational Cycling Strategy for 2003/04 with a £100,000 allocation from the current Local Transport Plan. In January 2004 this arrangement was renewed for 2004/05.

A key objective of the Recreational Cycling Strategy is to deliver both sections of, and local linkages to, the National Cycle Network (NCN) across Hampshire and to facilitate increased access to the countryside by cycle in line with National Cycle Strategy (NCS) objectives. An NCN route linking Reading and Basingstoke has recently been opened and forms the first complete section of the route joining key settlements inside and outside Hampshire. At Reading the route links up with some 7,000 miles nationwide. The implementation of a route through Chawton Park Wood will enable additional sections of NCN to be subsequently opened, namely a route linking Alton with Basingstoke and a route linking Alton with Alresford.

A cycle route between Four Marks and Alton has been discussed for a number of years and has resulted in sections of route already constructed in Alton town centre, linking the health centre with the station and shops and, more recently, the Sports Centre on Chawton Park Road. The route through Chawton Park Wood (see attached plan - National Cycle Network - Chawton Park Wood) will provide an attractive and usable recreational link between Alton and Four Marks, and form part of the NCN between Alton and Alresford and Alton and Basingstoke. It will also give people the option of using the route for other purposes in addition to recreation, such as cycling to work or to the shops, in lieu of the further consideration of a more direct strategic route broadly following the A31 road corridor. The route provides an enjoyable corridor through the wood, using forest tracks and bridleways, and offers attractive views within a traffic-free environment.

These proposals have been developed in partnership with East Hampshire District Council, Forest Enterprise, Sustrans and other cycle user groups, including Hampshire Cycling and the East Hampshire Cyclists' Forum.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The scheme is being funded through the Recreational Cycling Budget 2004/05 which supports the delivery of the Recreational Cycling Strategy 2002-2006.

Support is given to the NCN in the Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme provides surface improvements to a 1.6 kilometre length of bridleway which is necessary to bring it up to a standard suitable for an NCN.

The specification has been developed by officers, as well as using best practice guidance prepared for the County Council by Chris Blandford Associates and by Sustrans on routes through the countryside.

Essentially the resurfacing will form a two metre wide path, comprising rolled limestone scalpings. This will form a solid and durable unbound path in keeping with the local environment.

Once complete, usage of the scheme will be monitored.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will help to deliver a safer environment for cycling between Four Marks and Alton, using a traffic-free path. It will also help to reduce dependence on the car in this part of East Hampshire.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public bridleway limits.

Statutory Procedures

None.

Public Consultation

Public consultation on the scheme has been completed.

A letter of strong support has been received from the Director of Sustrans. The letter outlines the importance of this scheme in relation to the National Cycle Network proposals for Hampshire and concludes that "a decision not to proceed with a scheme on a public bridleway that would offer significant benefits to the local community because of the objections of a single landowner would undoubtedly be sending out a difficult message".

A letter of strong support has also been received from Hampshire Cycling, the umbrella group for cyclists in Hampshire. This letter highlights the fact that the proposed route follows an existing bridleway and how it could create a precedent if the promoted route were diverted away from Chawton Park Farm and might have implications for other bridleways in the county.

East Hampshire District Council has also written in support of the proposals, stating that it is regarded as a priority route, providing an accessible and appealing link between Alton and Four Marks.

Feedback received from local parishes and user groups, including the British Horse Society, has been supportive.

The only objection has been from the resident of Chawton Park Farm who has expressed safety concerns about a potential increase in cycle traffic on the public bridleway which passes through the farm.

The resident has also made East Hampshire District Council aware of his issues with safety who ask that potential safety issues are investigated thoroughly before a decision is made on the final route.

To address the safety concerns an independent risk assessment has been carried out looking at the safety issues along the proposed route against the alternative levels of risk on an alternative route suggested by the resident. This risk assessment concluded that the risks on both routes were low to medium and that substituting the proposed route with the alternative route would not reduce the overall risk.

The risk assessment also proposed additional control measures which will be considered for implementation. These control measures include the provision of warning signing on the eastbound and westbound approaches to Chawton Park Farm, the provision of a limited number of passing places along the bridleway where the width is 2 metres, and the provision of suitable cycle route ahead warning signage where the route meets Northfield Lane. A detailed response to each of the 5 proposed control measures is held on the project file.

In addition the objector has concerns about `Biosecurity', referring to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) guidance on preventing the spread of animal diseases.

Consultation with DEFRA has since indicated that the proposal poses little or no risk in terms of Biosecurity issues associated with an increased number of cyclists using the route.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Sir James Scott, has been consulted. He has been lobbied by both the affected landowner and cycling representatives. He has sympathy with the former and understands the latter. If the proposed route is approved, it should be monitored for use.

Facilities for the Disabled

The gradient through Chawton Park Wood will mean that it is not appropriate to promote this route as an `Access for All' trail.

Maintenance Implications

Maintenance of the bridleway will be the responsibility of the Rights of Way Area Officer and as such this will be addressed through the annual Rights of Way maintenance programme. Sustrans network of Rangers will also undertake basic maintenance.

Maintenance of the section of route within Chawton Park Wood on permissive forest tracks is covered by a published agreement between Sustrans and Forest Enterprise.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for cycling and may help reduce dependence on the motor car in the locality. The delivery of the NCN will also provide new opportunities for cycle tourism in the area.

4.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

There is also a requirement for further investigation of a utility cycle link between Alton and Four Marks, namely by providing a link alongside the verge of the A31 for approximately 1.5 miles between Four Marks and Chawton Park Farm. This route is being considered within CHARTS as part of a wider route between Four Marks and Holybourne. Due to the potential high cost of this scheme, this is likely to be a longer term option and outside the remit of the Recreational Cycling Strategy.

An existing Hampshire County `off-road' cycle route passes through Chawton Park Wood along its southern bridleway/byway. The majority of this route is byway and is popular with 4x4 users as a result this section has become heavily rutted and waterlogged and as such is unsuitable for all but mountain bikes. Upgrading this 3.6 kilometre route will be cost-prohibitive with estimates suggesting costs of between £108,000 and £179,000 based on construction costs of between £30 and £50 per metre.

In addition, on investigation into this alternative route by officers of Hampshire County Council, Sustrans, Forest Enterprise and East Hampshire District Council it was felt that it offered a far less attractive route, not only in terms of surface but also views, gradient and the fact that it is largely enclosed by dense woodland. This alternative route also passes through a farm and was subject to the risk assessment referred to under `public consultation' above.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Scheme File

Environment Department

Room 307