THE ALBAN WAY

GREENSPACE ACTION PLAN (GAP) 2018 - 2023

Briefing Document for Stakeholder Engagement

March 2018

Engagement run by Countryside Management Service on behalf of Borough Council.

CONTENTS Page

1 Introduction 1

2 Background 2

3 Review of Progress 3

4 Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) 2018-23 4

5 Public engagement and Production Process 5

Consultation Feedback Form 7

1 INTRODUCTION

A Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) is in production for the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council (WHBC) section of the Alban Way; this briefing document facilitates the first stage of stakeholder engagement for the plan.

The GAP will be produced by Countryside Management Service (CMS) in partnership with WHBC, and will cover a 5 year period from 2018 to 2023. The aims and actions will extend the improvements which have been implemented under the GAP for the District section of the Alban Way.

GAPs are map based management plans that give focus and direction to the running and improvement of all types of open space. They provide a clear, logical process to determine the activities that should take place on a site over a stated period of time in order to meet agreed project objectives and core aspirations.

It is our intention to hold a structured period of engagement with stakeholders, to ensure all interested parties are fully aware of the plan and how it will be produced. Opportunities to feed into the plan in a constructive and timely way will be promoted locally.

This document has been broken down into easy to read sections:

Sections 2 and 3 provide background information, historical context and a review of current management operations.

Section 4 outlines the aims and objectives of the plan, and how we intend to use and present the document.

Section 5 summarises the stakeholder engagement methodology that forms a part of the GAP production process, specifying how and when stakeholders will be invited to input.

Alban Way GAP 2018-2023: Briefing Document for Stakeholder Engagement March 2018 1

2 BACKGROUND

The Alban Way is a 6.5 mile long pedestrian and cycle route along the former Hatfield to St Albans branch line of the Great Northern Railway. Opened in 1865, the line was used for freight and passenger services until it was closed and dismantled in 1969. Some elements of the railway infrastructure still remain, such as old platforms and halts. 2.25 miles of the route lie within the Borough of Welwyn Hatfield.

Since the closure of the railway and subsequent end of regular habitat management along the route, the vegetation has become tall and dense resulting in dark and shaded conditions. Long sections of the route which were once open have now become dominated by thick scrub and trees.

The pathway is an important link in the local sustainable transport network and forms part of Route 61 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. There are multiple access points along the route which form links with neighbouring residential and industrial areas, as well as the public Rights of Way network and other cycleways.

The Alban Way is popular amongst the local community, as it presents a safe route for commuting and leisure between St Albans and Hatfield, with an onward link to Welwyn. The route also provides a continuous linear habitat corridor through the landscape, linking up rural areas and urban greenspaces, to provide space for wildlife in the urbanised landscape.

- Alban Way, Welwyn Hatfield section - Alban Way, St Albans section

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3 REVIEW OF PROGRESS

Previous and current management of the Alban Way has extended to: - Maintenance of the surface and signage - Reactive tree works to address safety issues - Litter clearance - Small-scale vegetation management.

National Cycle Route signage and occasional footpath waymarkers are in place, and remnant installations such as benches are infrequent.

Provision of safe cycling routes around the Welwyn Hatfield area and wider landscape is undergoing continual improvement under the Hatfield Transport Strategy and Hatfield 2030+ Project. The Alban Way, as with other off-road cycling routes, is an important link in this safe cycling network. Locations where the Alban Way crosses the road network have been identified as key points where the safety of route users is compromised and could be improved.

Sections of the route have become lined with dense vegetation including invasive non- native plants, resulting in a dark and shaded pathway. This can be unwelcoming for potential users, and is also limiting regeneration of undergrowth and vitality of mature trees. Vegetation management has been restricted due to funding and a long term coherent approach, as seen across many similar routes and open spaces.

As part of the GAP production process we will look to incorporate wider initiatives and previous aspirations that have been expressed about the route, and integrate the responses of stakeholders into the new GAP where possible. We will also consult the GAP for the St Albans District section of the route, which has been under implementation since 2014, to ensure continuity is maintained.

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4 GREENSPACE ACTION PLAN (GAP) 2018-23

The Alban Way GAP will be a straight forward, easy to read plan for use by officers of WHBC, CMS, and members of the public. It will also act as a guide for the work of volunteers and contractors.

The plan will be costed and potential funding sources identified; once the final GAP is agreed, external funding will be sought to enable delivery. The document will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains effective and relevant.

Objective: To enhance the Alban Way as a safe and enjoyable pedestrian and cycle route, and to manage habitats for wildlife in a sustainable way.

Core Aspirations:  To promote awareness of and interest in the Alban Way

 To ensure the safety of users is uncompromised, notably at road crossing points, using revised signage and protective features

 To improve access to and from the route, with links to local greenspaces, businesses and schools

 To install appropriate and visible signage to, from and along the route

 To improve the visitor experience and enhance opportunities for informing and educating the users of the Alban Way

 To conserve and enhance the historical features along the route

 To protect and enhance the habitats and biodiversity that can be found along the route

 To undertake proactive, rotational vegetation management along the whole route to benefit wildlife and improve the user experience

 To support volunteer activity along the route and to ensure all involved operate towards achievement of the GAP

 To secure external funding to ensure the viability of capital works

 To ensure ongoing maintenance is financially and environmentally sustainable

 To ensure that the Alban Way acts as a key corridor for sustainable transport, helping to increase wider uptake of sustainable transport in connection with other existing on- and off-road networks

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5 PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Effective stakeholder engagement is at the centre of a successful GAP. The particular value as a document comes from balancing the thoughts and aspirations of stakeholders and interest groups throughout the writing process. The length and route of the Alban Way means that it is of value and interest to a large catchment of people with various aspirations.

In order to enable as many stakeholders and interest groups as possible to have the opportunity to feed into the production of the new GAP, we have adopted a structured two-stage approach to public engagement:

For the first stage, stakeholders will be invited to make comment on the core aspirations that are proposed as part of this briefing document (Section 4); it is hoped that any further aspirations and/or issues will be addressed through this information gathering process.

For the second stage, stakeholders will be invited to read through and make comment on the draft GAP and associated management maps.

Following this exercise, the final document will be produced, published and promoted more widely to the general public. Implementation of the GAP will begin in Spring 2018.

The following diagram shows the Greenspace Action Plan production process:

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ALBAN WAY GREENSPACE ACTION PLAN (GAP) 2018-2023 GAP Production Process

Engagement will Engagement will run from approx. run from approx. 1st – 23rd March 16 th April – 4th May

Production of Stakeholder Stakeholder Alban Way briefing engagement on Production engagement on Production Publicity and GAP document and briefing of draft draft GAP of final GAP promotion 2018-23 outline document GAP proposals

Stakeholders* Hertfordshire Natural History Society Historic Environment Record British Horse Society Local Residents, Landowners and Businesses CycleHerts Local running and sports clubs Ellenbrook Residents Association Oaklands College Gascoyne Cecil Estates Ramblers Association Hatfield Local History Society Station & Alban Way Heritage Society Hatfield Residents Society St Albans Cycle Campaign Hatfield 2030+ Partnership Sustrans Hatfield Town Centre Partnership The Ryde Residents Society Hatfield Town Council University of Hertfordshire Hatfield Tree Wardens/ Tree Council WelHat Cycling Herts County Council Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Herts Biological Records Centre

* Additional stakeholders may become apparent during the course of engagement on the GAP.

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GAP FEEDBACK FORM

Thank you for taking the time to read this document. We are keen to receive feedback from you on our proposals, particularly Section 4: Aims and Aspirations, for the Alban Way Greenspace Action Plan (GAP) 2018-23. Please write your comments on this form or via email, and return using the contact details below by Friday 23rd March 2018 at the latest.

NAME:

ORGANISATION:

COMMENTS:

FAO Neil Duffield Please continue overleaf Countryside Management Service Office (car park H) Environment Department County Hall Hertford Herts SG13 8DN

Email: [email protected] Phone: 01992 555604

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