Valley “Greenway”?

The term ‘greenway’ is applied to multi-use traffic-free paths for walking, cycling and, where appropriate, horse-riding. We also use sections of road, public rights of way and conversions of footways to shared cycle and pedestrian use to make useful links to town and village centres and ‘trip generators’ like places of work or schools.

Tim Lawrence Transportation

SPEN VALLEY GREENWAY Introduction

• Cabinet approved development of the Colne Valley Greenway demonstration project in January 2005

• The route is from to Town Centre and comprises the following elements: – The canal towpath from Lowestwood Lane/Titanic Mill, Linthwaite to Shaw Lane,

– the existing road from Shaw Lane to George Street, Milsnbridge;

– the public footpath and riverside path from George Street to Millgate, Paddock;

– a private track and public footpath from Millgate to Springwood Avenue;

– the existing road into the town centre of Huddersfield.

Colne Valley Greenway: proposed demonstration project Issues- Then

• Public Consultation undertaken prior to the demonstration project revealed a split between users- particularly with respect to the proposed shared use of the towpath:

– General Public Consulted:

• 70% supported the use of the towpath for a Greenway Route • 19% did not support the use of the towpath for a Greenway Route

– Local organisations consulted:

• 35% supported the use of the towpath for a Greenway Route • 26% did not support the use of the towpath for a Greenway Route • (no replies from Angling Interests)

• Key opposers were; – Huddersfield Canal Society – Calder Navigation Society – ARROW (Action for Rural Rights of Way) – Huddersfield Ramblers Issues- Then+ Now?

• Maintenance

• Weighting on the wash wall- possible issue for construction

• Rear boundary wall- is it a retaining wall? (particularly between Salithwaite and Marsden)

• Ecology

• Current condition of the tow path Colne Valley Greenway: proposed demonstration project

1. British Waterways decision – shared use of canal towpath – subject to: • Engineering assessment • Ecological assessment 2. Land negotiation 3. Detailed design 4. Monitoring of use - Canal, Shipley: shared use ped./ cycle towpath

Issues- Now

• Finance- Traditional capital from The Council and the Transport Plan- No longer so readily available

• What now? » Sustrans » Leeds City Region- Strategic Economic Plan » The Health Sector Evidence-based bids- Economic/Health Benefits

• Staff Resources: » Building the case » Consultation » Design » Construction

Issues- Now

• Project Plan development:

– Set up a Steering Group to oversee the development work

– Understand the existing and potential use (funding issues); and in parallel…..

– Understand the design issues, potential risks and problems- see pictures

– Divide the route into sections

– Deliver the sections in chunks when funding becomes available

Issues- Now

MORE PHOTOGRAPHS AND DISCUSSION