Lockleaze Sustainable Transport Improvements Stoke Park Path Proposal – Frequently Asked Questions
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Lockleaze Sustainable Transport Improvements Stoke Park Path Proposal – Frequently Asked Questions Q. Why are you building the path? A. The new path will (i) help people connect better between Lockleaze and other areas, like Broomhill, Frenchay and Stapleton, for employment, education or leisure purposes and (ii) help improve access into Stoke Park for users, especially some people with mobility difficulties. Q. Why has the path been identified as a priority mitigation measure above other work? A. To help meet Bristol’s housing shortage, we have plans to build approximately 1,000 new homes in the Lockleaze area. New residents will need to move about so we have to improve the local transport network to reduce levels of congestion. We are looking to encourage people to use sustainable modes of travel, such as walking, cycling and public transport. The new path is one measure that has been identified as being important to support the new housing and encourage people not to always use the car on busy local roads. Q. Why does the path have to be built across Stoke Park? A. We want to try and maximise the benefits of the investment. One objective is to help people access employment, education and leisure destinations around the Stoke Park area more easily and quickly by walking or cycling. In addition, we would like to improve access into Stoke Park so that more people can enjoy the park and the new path helps achieve this objective too. We also have plans to surface the historic trackway running through Stoke Park and the works would provide this, without the Council having to pay for it. Q. What effect is the path expected to have on reducing the impact of housing on the local road network? A. A network of good quality paths will allow pedestrians and cyclists to move about more easily and safely. This can help to encourage people not to use their cars for some trips, which will help to reduce the impact of housing, in terms of increased congestion or air pollution on the local road network. Q. How wide will the path be? A. We propose the path be 3.0 metres wide. This is recommended minimum width for a shared use path, which is a path that pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists use together. We would normally recommend a wider path but recognise it would have a greater impact on the Park. Q. What effect will construction have on trees in the park? A. This depends on the final route that is selected. The east end of Option 1A goes through the wooded area and this would mean a number of small trees would have to be removed. Option 1B uses an existing track and the only impact would be pruning any low hanging branches. Q. What effect will the path have on the historic grassland? A. The path route options follow existing paths, which are mown grass. We will have to widen the path in some places, but this should only affect a very small amount of the grassland. A surfaced path will not become muddy during wet periods. Q. How will you ensure workers treat the park with respect? A. The contractor will be required to submit a Construction Management Plan and this will need to show how any particular planning conditions relating to planting, wildlife and tree protection is taken into account. We will be supervising the contractor to ensure the works are carried out in the correct manner. Q. What are the effects on protected species? A. We have a lot of ecological information about Stoke Park and are also getting more ecology survey work done, in relation to the proposed path. This survey will make recommendations, with regard to protecting species during the work and planning conditions will be set if required. However, as we are widening and surfacing existing paths, we think any impact will be minor. We will include protection works to help minimise the impact and sensitive locations of work will be supervised by an ecologist. Q. Why are you recommending a tarmac path when the Conservation Management Plan recommends gravel? A. We think a tarmac path, with a buff coloured resin surface, similar to the existing east path, is better for use by all users, including people with mobility difficulties. This surface is in keeping with the existing path and a tarmac path requires less regular maintenance and should last a lot longer, which is an important financial consideration. Q. Why are you building this at the same time as the Countryside Stewardship plans? A. We have received funding to develop the path proposals and obtain the necessary consents and this work has to be complete by May 2019. We then have the opportunity to bid for funds from WECA to build the path and, if successful, those funds need to be spent by March 2021, so the path needs to be complete by then. The path works should have limited impact on the Countryside Stewardship plans. WECA funding means the Council does not have to pay for the works. Q. What are the effects on the important views identified in the Conservation Management Plan? A. The path works will widen and surface existing paths running along the north part of the Park. Whilst there will be some visual impact from having a new buff coloured path, the alignment follows natural contours so will have very little impact on the important views. Q. Why is the path shared-use? A. We think cyclists should also be allowed to use the path (some cyclists already use the grass path), along with other user groups. We could have designed a path that segregated cyclists from walkers but this would have required a wider path that would cost more and have a greater impact on the park. Q. Will horses be able to use the path? A. No, horses will not be permitted to use the path. Q. How will you make sure motorcycles don't use the path? A. As part of the works, we want to improve access arrangements and review existing barrier types. We welcome comments from the local community about the best way to improve access for users, especially those with mobility difficulties, whilst seeking to prevent mopeds and motorcycles getting into the park. Q. How will you stop cyclists from cycling too fast? A. We will erect signage at access points where cyclists enter to remind them the path is shared and to respect other users. We welcome comments from local residents on the discussion about shared usage of the path. Experience of shared use paths in other Bristol parks suggests the vast majority of cyclists do not go fast and do respect other users. Q. Why don't cyclists just use the existing Cheswick Village path? A. Some cyclists may continue to use the Cheswick Village path and it will depend on where they are going. The new path provides a shorter route to the M32 underpass and access to the east. There are cyclists already using the grass path. .