Consultative Paper on Provisional Proposal For

CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON PROVISIONAL PROPOSAL FOR Traffic Free Path and cycle way from Dulcote(Fountain) to Dinder (Sleight Lane). Adjacent to pavement on North side of A371 and on rural roads through the Villages.

R Ashworth Croscombe Parish Clerk/JWP St Cuthbert’s Out and Croscombe Parish Councils P Hodge Croscombe Parish Councillor/JWP St Cuthbert’s Out and Croscombe Parish Councils. February 2015 CONTENTS

SUMMARY

PARTIES TO CONSULT

FUNDING SOURCES

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND BRIEFING NOTE

PROVISIONAL ITEMS FOR COSTING

PROJECT OUTLINE

ROUTE NORTH OF A371

PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST FACILITIES

APPENDIX A OVERALL MAP SHOWING PATH AND LINKS

APPENDIX B DETAIL MAPS AT 1/2500

APPENDIX C DETAILS OF TRAFFIC SIGNS

APPENDIX D PATH WIDTHS RECOMMENDED BY SUSTRANS SUMMARY Adoption and implementation of this link proposal will satisfy many objectives as expressed by parishioners within Dulcote and Dinder. (Further path links are planned onwards from Croscombe onto Shepton Mallet and the show ground and Cranmore East Somerset Railway.)

Ultimately this link and others following on will “Join up the dots” and create a safe traffic free path from Wells to Cranmore

This initial link project does require funding which would be applied for as below, but if obtained , would allow for a significant increase in opportunities for local residents and tourists.

The Joint Working Party seek the approval of the St Cuthbert’s Out Parish Council to progress the project as outlined below.

Proposed parties to consult

Croscombe Parish Council St Cuthberts Out Parish Council Dinder Village Forum Group Wells Town Council Somerset County Council Highways Sustrans Community Pay Back Scheme Coordinator Ward and District Councillors Land Owners Strawberry Line Society( For info)

Funding sources MDC/SCC Section 106 Moneys Viridor Parish Councils District Councillors Lottery Fund Somerset Community Foundation Locality/Defra

Phasing 1. Sustrans survey work and costings 2. Approach to land owners purchase or agreements for permissive paths 2. Funding application/approved 4. Village Roads signage 5 . Clearance of verges/Hedges 6 Engineering works prior to hard surface 7. Stock Fencing as needed 8. Lay hard surface 9. A371 Signage 8. Publicity and opening Introduction and background note for Strawberry Line Traffic Free Paths Croscombe to Wells A371.

In 2006 Croscombe Parish Council embarked on the production of a Parish Plan. A detailed questionnaire was sent to every person in the parish( 510 people in 286 properties. A considerable number of residents replied(255 out of 510,roughly 255 from 286 properties) Analysis of the results showed that 65% people were worried about the speed of traffic through the village. 55% people were worried about number of lorries. 31% of people have concerns about narrow or lack of pavements.

In terms of footpaths 71% expressed a wish for safe multi user traffic free paths between Wells and Shepton Mallet. The planned Strawberry Line protected route utilises the old railway line which rises behind Jacks and Duncart Lane and would not be suitable for elderly residents living in Croscombe. (In most cases people use the existing footpaths from Croscombe to Wells via Dinder and Dulcote.) In view of that Councillor P Hodge and Parish Clerk R Ashworth agreed to serve on the Strawberry Line East working group to promote a easier route via existing footpaths.

It did have a relatively low profile in terms of the projects the Parish Council were pursuing from the Parish Plan agreement.

Several possible routes were suggested utilising and upgrading the existing footpaths. Since the paths were predominately within St Cuthberts Out Parish Council and the Dinder Estate approaches were made to both parties during 2007to 2009.

These approaches were eventually rejected by both although we explained the benefit of separating by fencing the paths from crops and farm animals.

Both the Parish Plan 2010 and the Village Design Statement in 2013 reiterated the need for safe traffic free paths, and the fact that both St Cuthberts Out and Croscombe Parish Councils are now embarking on a Neighbourhood Plan gives an opportunity to jointly reconsider the need.

In June 2012 the Strawberry Line group carried out an initial survey of the verges along the A371 from Dinder to Dulcote to determine their width .

It was felt feasible that clearance of the verge together with careful pruning and management of the hedges/stock fences could enable a safe path to be created alongside the northern side of the pavement by the A371.

SCC were asked to confirm ownership of the verge, hedge and stock fences. They confirmed ownership of the verge but not the hedge/stock fence.

Owners of Dinder House were asked to respond to the proposal. A reply is still pending.

Currently cyclists risk their life by cycling on the A371road or break the law by riding on the pavement. The Joint Neighbourhood Plan working groups comprising the Strawberry Line group, Croscombe Parish Council and St Cuthbert’s now wish to obtain provisional approval from St Cuthbert’s Out Parish Council to progress the project.

Project Cost Items

Meetings of Groups

Community Pay Back project( facilities could be used to carry out initial clearance and cutting back hedges and also be involved in a layering hedge scheme to reinstate the hedge.)

Contractors for the heavy clearance/tree surgery etc.

Salary of Supervisor, workers, tools

Cost of Survey by Sustrans,

Traffic orders SCC,

Engineering Works,

Hard Surface,

Stock Fencing.

Traffic Signage/Finger Posts

Ongoing Maintenance Costs (by Community Payback scheme)

There are funding opportunities for the project DRAFT PROJECT OUTLINE February 2015

WELLS(Dulcote) TO Dinder Sleight lane TRAFFIC FREE PATH ADJACENT TO A371

LINKS TO VILLAGES DULCOTE and DINDER VIA MINOR ROADS

AIM To implement a traffic free path on hard surface adjacent to pavement alongside A371 from Dulcote underpass to Dinder Sleight Lane. This path ranging from 1.5 metres to 4.0 metres will be suitable for walkers, cyclists, pushchair or disabled chairs. It is separate but adjacent to the pavement alongside the northern side of the A371.

OBJECTIVES To obtain permission and approval from SCC Highways.

To determine if planning permission is required

To advise and obtain approval from the landowners of Dinder House and Dinder Estate for pruning back of hedge, re layering where necessary, replacing stock fence as necessary.

To negotiate with the Land owners including Dinder Estate for purchase/gifting of small strip of land at Dulcote end of path. Additional fencing as required.

To confirm and notify route with a) the Strawberry Line Society and b) support and survey report from Sustrans.

To detail project plan and cost project with advice and support from Sustrans.

To apply and obtain funding from local authorities, District Councillors, Viridor, Big Lottery and other funding sources.

To examine possibility of any Section 106 money that could be used towards this path.

To approach Community Payback scheme via Tessa Munt to carry out parts of project.

To approach SCC Highways and Sustrans to obtain quotations for engineering works, fencing and hard surfacing.

To arrange for SCC Highways and Sustrans to provide all road signage including links to National Cycle ways and East and West Mendip Ways. Multi user Traffic free path Dulcote to Dinder Sleight Lane Croscombe(Eastern end)

NORTHERN SIDE OF A371 .Route outline

 From Fountain at Dulcote B 3139 onto southern side of road, at Cycle road sign enter onto new path( on Highways verge) to traffic island junction with A371. Cross over Island. (Dropped Kerb and signage).

 Into field( Dinder estate land onto built up path(fenced off)to Dinder Lodge

 Dismount onto pavement by Lodge.(Dismount and Mount signage) . Mount again after Lodge hedge finishes onto new path.

 Carry on along new path width varies from 1.5 to 4.0 metres, adjacent to pavement to the Dinder Junction with The Rookery/Sharcombe Lane.

 Turn left down The Rookery to junction with Riverside.(On the road plus signage)

 Turn right down Riverside(on road) to junction with Sleight Lane.( On the road plus signage)

 (Sleight Lane can be used to join East Mendip Way).

. Richard Ashworth RA 5th February 2015 Pedestrian and Cyclist facilities Highlighted crossing point including bollards (if required) and all other associated works costs approximately £5,000.

A typical pedestrian refuge including electrical works and all other associated works costs between £6,000 - £8,000. Footways

To lay a footway using normal bituminous materials costs approximately £50 per linear metre, with kerbing costing approximately £40 per metre

A shared use cycleway / footway will be similar to a normal footway. However it will be of a greater width, and will require additional signing and street lighting. Miscellaneous costs Verge marker posts cost up to £35 each to supply and install.  Pedestrian guard rail costs up to £100 per 2 metre panel.

Appendix A map showing overall links Appendix B maps showing actual path routes including links and minor road routes APPENDIX C ROAD SIGNS APPENDIX D PATH WIDTHS