Contact: Patrick Hughes, tel 023 80285355 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report brings Members up to date on amendments to the Strategic Cycle Route Plan for the New Forest.

2. Background

2.1 The Panel has previously considered a report on the results of the Strategic Cycle Routes consultation process, and agreed a number of changes to the strategic network proposed in the consultation document. The Panel's attention was drawn to a number of responses which had been overlooked and not included in the written report, and it was agreed that officers should try to resolve those issues before reporting back to the County and District Councils. The responses in question sought the inclusion in the strategic network of additional or alternative routes at Emery Down (Lyndhurst/Minstead), Milford-on-Sea and New Milton.

2.2 The Panel also requested that the County Council review, with the Forestry Commission and the Verderers of the New Forest, the need for management and control of cycling on the open Forest and on bridleways within the New Forest district, in particular those bridleways which give access to the open Forest.

3. Changes to the Proposed Route Network

3.1 On 16 September 2004 officers' conclusions with regard to the issues identified at paragraph 2.1 above were reported to the District Council's Portfolio Holder for Economy and Environment (see Appendix 1), who agreed to recommend changes to the proposed network. A map showing the amended network will be displayed at the Panel meeting and copies will be placed in the County and District Councils' respective Members' rooms for reference beforehand.

3.2 In accordance with the recommendations agreed by the District Council's Portfolio Holder, the amended proposals will be taken into consideration by the District Council in preparing local development documents under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

3.3 For information, Appendix 2 to this report lists those elements of the network which the District Cycling Working Group identified earlier this year as being suitable candidates for early implementation. The Panel is not asked to confer any formal approval on this list at today's meeting but may wish to comment.

3.4 The proposals now stand to be considered by the County Council, with a view to incorporation into the next and future Local Transport Plans.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment be requested to consider the final amended proposals for incorporation into the next and future Local Transport Plans.

9016/PH

PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ECONOMY AND PLANNING 16 SEPTEMBER 2004

NEW FOREST DISTRICT: STRATEGIC CYCLE ROUTES

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2 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In the summer of 2003 this Council, together with Hampshire County Council, the Forestry Commission, CTC the national cyclists' organisation and cycling charity Sustrans carried out a joint consultation on proposals for a network of strategic cycle routes across the District. The proposals were developed by a working group of officers or other representatives from each of the participating organisations. On 31 March this year the results of the consultation were reported to the New Forest Transport Strategy Panel (copy of report appended at Annex 1).

1.2 In response to the representations received, the Panel agreed a number of changes to the proposed network. Subject to these changes, the Panel commended the revised proposals to

_ the County Council, to be considered for incorporation into the 2006-11 Hampshire Local Transport Plan

_ the District Council, to be considered for incorporation into planning policy at the next opportunity.

1.3 The Panel also requested the County Council to review, with the Forestry Commission and Verderers, the need for management and control of cycling on the open Forest and on bridleways within the New Forest District, in particular those bridleways which give access to the open Forest. This review has yet to go forward.

1.4 Before the Panel meeting it was discovered that a number of responses had been overlooked and not included in the working group's written report. Insofar as these raised new issues, the Panel agreed that officers should try to resolve those issues, consulting further as necessary, before reporting back to the County and District Councils and incorporating any additional changes to the network which arose from this process. The responses in question related to:

Emery Down, Lyndhurst/Minstead, where the local ward member (Cllr Wyeth) and the two parish councils consider a certain section of road unsuitable, Cllr Wyeth and Lyndhurst Parish Council suggesting an alternative off-road route using an existing bridleway

Milford on Sea, where the Parish Council suggest additional routes which would bring the proposed strategic network through the village and along the seafront

New Milton, where the Town Council suggest six "new" routes.

1 CHANGES TO THE PROPOSED ROUTE NETWORK

2.1 The attached map shows the network of strategic routes agreed by the Panel in March. It incorporates the changes listed at paragraph 8.1 of the report (Annex 1).

2.2 With regard to the responses referred to at 1.4 above, officers have concluded as follows:

2.1.1.1.1.1 Emery Down

The off-road route suggested in preference to a section of Mill Lane would certainly reduce conflict with motor traffic on a sometimes busy road. However the bridleway, which forms part of the New Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest, has a poor surface for any other than the more robust mountain bicycle. There is a case here for offering the cyclist a choice of route, and providing, for the 800 metres in question, both an on-road and an off-road option.

2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Milford on Sea

There is a strong case in principle for extending the strategic network to include Milford on Sea. Of the Parish Council's suggested three routes into the village, that from the Everton direction along Lymington Road is likely to require considerable works off the highway to bring it up to an acceptable safety standard, but could conceivably be developed as a local route through the Hampshire Safer Routes to Schools programme. The other two suggested routes would with some modifications combine to form a useful "loop" off the main strategic network. It is not recommended that this route follow the seafront as this raises wider issues which are yet to be fully addressed; but a local extension to the strategic loop to achieve this remains a possibility for the future.

The recommended route on the west side of the village follows existing roads and tracks through Shorefield Country Park. Preliminary discussions have been held with the owners of the park (principally self-catering chalet accommodation), and early indications suggest a positive response to the promotion of this route.

2.1.1.1.1.1.2 New Milton

Of the six new routes suggested, No. 2 (New Milton to Barton on Sea) is an important on-road link and its inclusion in the strategic network is not unreasonable. No.6 (Bashley Park - Ashley - Shorefield) coincides broadly (apart from its northernmost 2km which serve no particular purpose) with the western route into Milford on Sea (see above). No. 3 effectively duplicates no. 2 but is less direct.

No.1 (Barton on Sea to Milford on Sea) proposes the upgrading of the existing clifftop footpath, which has implications both for public safety and for the character of the path.

Nos. 4 and 5 (both linking the town centre to the Forest) between them largely duplicate the strategic route already recommended (see March 2004 map), but offer no particular advantage over that route.

2.3 These conclusions indicate the need for the following amendments to the March 2004 route map:

Emery Down: add alternative route parallel to Mill Lane, following Silver Street and public bridleway

Milford on Sea: add route from Milford on Sea to Hordle via Shorefields Country Park, Downton Lane and Vicarage Lane

add route from Milford on Sea to Lymington via Keyhaven /road and "ancient highway"

New Milton: add on-road route from New Milton town centre to Barton on Sea via Barton Court Road.

3 CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

3.1 There are no significant implications.

2.1.1 4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

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4.1 This report seeks to increase opportunities for cycling in the District and thus encourage the substitution of some car journeys with a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Some individual elements of the proposed route network may require the carrying out of works which damage or degrade specific parts of the Forest fabric: these impacts are however believed to be on such a small scale as to be outweighed by the long-term and overall benefits of a coherent route network. In any case the endorsement of this route network does not remove the legal requirement for assessment of individual proposals which affect, for example, internationally designated wildlife habitats; or the discretion of the Verderers in sanctioning certain works on the Crown lands under the New Forest Acts.

3.1.1.1.1 5 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

3.1.1.1.2

5.1 There are no direct financial implications for the Council. It is anticipated that funding of the network will be achieved through the Hampshire Local Transport Plan and possibly, from 2006, also through the proposed national park authority.

3.1.1.1.3

3.1.1.1.4 6 CONCLUSION

3.1.1.1.5

6.1 The suggested changes to the proposed strategic cycle route network address the representations made in response to consultation, and this amended set of proposals should now be endorsed and taken forward for implementation.

3.1.1.1.6 7 RECOMMENDATION

7.1 That the proposed strategic cycle route network be amended as set out at paragraph 2.3 above;

that the amended proposals be referred back to the New Forest Transport Panel for endorsement; and

that the amended proposals be taken into consideration by the District Council in preparing local development documents under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Further information:

Patrick Hughes

Policy, Design and Information Division

Appletree Court, Lyndhurst

(023) 8028 5355

E-mail: [email protected]

Background papers:

New Forest District Strategic Cycle Routes: A Consultation NFDC, HCC, Forestry Commission, Sustrans & CTC June 2003

File of representations on the above, 2003

_______________________________________________________________________________

PORTFOLIO HOLDER ENDORSEMENT

I have agreed to the recommendation of this report.

Signed: ..........................................

Date: ..........................................

PATRICKH/REPORTS/SCR0904 9 Sep `04

APPENDIX 2

Strategic Cycle Route Network Priority Lists

On 7 July 2004 the New Forest Cycle Working Group met to discuss routes identified in the Strategic Cycle Network on which to focus early attention. A list was produced which gives an indication of issues to address in the immediate future. When putting the list together it was decided that priorities would be considered on deliverability and achievability within the current timescale and monetary constraints.

1. The National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 2 from Hythe to Brockenhurst was felt to be an important link across the Forest and should be looked at as a priority. The group agreed to look at the following:

a. A signing strategy for the whole length

b. The crossing point of the A326 at Applemore

c. Pylewell Road advisory contra flow in Hythe

d. Safety audit for the on-road stretch from Perrywood Ivy Enclosure along Mill Lane towards Brockenhurst

2. NCN west of Brockenhurst

a. The crossing of the A35 at Holmsley Lodge (start design work)

b. Replacement of the missing railway bridges on the Longslade Bottom stretch

c. Resurfacing along the Longslade Bottom stretch due to substandard surface in places

3. Other routes

a. Feasibility study for Brockenhurst to Lyndhurst route adjacent to the A337

b. Pinkney Lane (SW of Lyndhurst)

c. Look to promote greater use of rail services by cyclists and undertake any necessary improvements to Ashurst Station to facilitate this

d. Lymington to Keyhaven route feasibility study