Welland Valley Route to feasibility study

Draft March 2014 Table of contents Executive Summary

1 Introduction and Background Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable. We’re 2 Route Description a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for 3 Alternative Route more of the journeys we make every day. We work with families, communities, policy- 4 Route Design makers and partner organisations so that people are able to choose healthier, cleaner 5 Ecology and cheaper journeys, with better places 6 Summary and spaces to move through and live in.

It’s time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Appendix A – Land Ownership Sustrans today. www.sustrans.org.uk

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Page 2 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Welland Valley Railway Path Exisinting National Cycle Network minor road routes Executive summary the key constraint along most of the route. The exception to this is where the line of the railway This report represents the findings of a study to has been broken by the removal of bridges at examine proposals to introduce a cycle route crossing points of roads or water courses. A along the line of the former Midland final physical constraint (two locations) occurs Scottish Railway from Market Harborough to where the track bed under road bridges has Peterborough. been blocked. Where physical barriers exist along the route the financial cost of providing The aim of the report is to assess the former Morcott replacement bridges or ramps becomes a major Barrowden railway route and consider the options at various Uppingham constraint. locations to provide a cycle path on the route linking the communities along the way. The King’s Cliffe Whilst the number of points at which the study focuses on the former railway alignment Peterborough former railway is crossed by roads introduces as it leaves the existing live railway to the North a constraint in terms of providing a continuous Gretton East of Market Harborough Station travelling Great Easton cycle route it also provides an ideal opportunity east through a number of local communities to develop a staged approach to developing in , and an off road cycle route with an on road route before reaching the western edge of signed on problematic sections. The number of Peterborough at . adjacent quiet roads also provide ready links to Scale neighbouring communities. Market The former Railway links with NCN64 to the Harborough 5 miles North East of Market Harborough forming a link into the centre of the town via quite roads. At the Yarwell end of the former railway the route 1. Introduction and Background Binding Margin - - has the potential to link with the Nene Valley Disused railways that are mainly intact offer Heritage Railway, the nearest section of NCN is will need to leave the trackbed to ramp down to the opportunity to create routes for walkers, The 5 key national transport goals and how the further East at Castor. new road crossings where bridges are missing. cyclists and horseriders that are away from Lias Line can help achieve them: Access points will also need to be created to traffic in quiet peaceful surroundings. Sustrans This report identifies the technical issues and enable local people to use the route, but the 1 Supporting Economic Growth: This scheme has created a number of such routes over the practicalities of constructing a cycle path along exact locations of these would be a matter for will improve local connectivity, thereby past 30 years and in 2010 the National Cycle the former railway. the detailed design of the scheme. improving the chances that local demand for Network celebrated its 15th year. employment, shops and services can be met by The report is split into four main sections: local supply. Sustrans are undertaking a feasibility study for National Government Policy Context • Introduction and background the creation of a new multi user path through National government is committed to increasing 2 Tackle Climate Change: Contribute to • The National Cycle Network and the local area the Welland Valley along the line of the former rates of walking and cycling because of the reducing greenhouse gas emissions by • Detailed Route Sections London Midland and Scottish Railway. This will contributions that can be made to achieving a providing walking and cycling alternatives to the primarily follow the route of the former railway • Alternative route and route design wider range of objectives. car. The UK Climate Change Act commits the between National Grid Reference SP 743 895 • Ecology UK to reductions in CO2 emissions of at least and TL 084 974. The new path will be is 40km 26% by 2020 and a long term goal of 80% by • Summary in length and will run from Langton Road in National Policy: 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Great Bowden and Elton Road in Yarwell. It is LTP3 Guidance (DfT, 2008) At the end of the report it is noted that most anticipated that for the majority of the route the When local authorities replaced their existing 3 Promote equality of opportunity: The scheme of the former railway track bed would be path will be situated on the former track bed. transport plans in 2011 consideration was given will enhance social inclusion by improving straightforward (in terms of construction) to There are locations where bridges will need to to how they will contribute to the delivery of key access to employment, services and social transform into a cycle path. Land ownership is be constructed over watercourses, or the route national transport goals. Page 3 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

networks – particularly for low socioeconomic cyclists, along with utility routes through built up • Economic – Tourism brings obvious benefits The former Railway line also crosses the road groups and those without access to cars. areas and routes linking small rural settlements to the local economy with people requiring network at 22 locations as it heads east. The to each other. refreshments in local pubs and shops. majority of the crossing points are of minor 4 Contribute to better safety, security and Longer distance travellers will also seek roads but the route also crosses the very busy health: Well used routes are self-policing (to an From its earliest days the NCN was intended accommodation. Harborough Bypass and the A43. In both cases extent), and can improve the perceived safety of to be a catalyst to local authorities to stimulate only expensive bridges could provide suitable • Health – There are clear and demonstrable an area. The scheme will encourage increased them into creating their own local networks crossing for cyclists and therefore alternative benefits to health from more physical activity. physical activity and improve the health of the of walking and cycling routes, and to this day routes have been looked into avoiding these Safe well maintained and signed routes local population. it strives to set the standard for the quality of major roads. The minor road crossings however provide the facilities for people to get more facilities for cyclists and walkers that all routes provide opportunities to develop any route in 5 Improving quality of life: Providing attractive exercise especially with young families. should aspire to. Phases depending on available funding and walking and cycling routes will provide more • Natural Environment – Such routes are of land agreements with quite on road sections opportunities for social interaction, improve With obesity, global warming, traffic congestion, benefit to the natural environment as their providing links in-between. access to local facilities and connect the urban the economy and the need to create stronger creation and maintenance encourages landscape with green spaces, all without any communities hitting the headlines every day, biodiversity that is often lost when the negative impact on the environment. walking and cycling are more necessary than landscape is left to overgrow. The industrial ever so Sustrans vision for the NCN is to make it history of the landscape is also revealed by the 2. Route Description National Cycle Network and ever more relevant to people’s lives. This means creation of railway paths and cycle routes. The route of the former railway has been divided continuing to extend it and take it to the places into sections marked by where roads are the local area • Employment – New businesses and job that people want to go, continuing to strive crossed. In the majority of cases the crossing opportunities are often a result of successful The National Cycle Network (NCN) is the UK’s for the highest quality routes possible, and would be at grade. Where the road is unsuitable new routes as there is an increased demand national transport network aimed specifically continuing to encourage more people than ever for an at grade crossing this has been noted. for local facilities, cycle hire, etc. at providing safe, high quality routes for people to use it. Where cyclists crossing at grade can be made who want to travel by bike or on foot. Importance of promoting healthy living: safe the type of measures required are noted. In - Binding Margin - NCN 64 branches off from NCN6 at Market some locations the former railway is in cutting Since it was created by Sustrans 15 years ago, Harborough to continue north to Goadby where • Regular cyclists typically enjoy a fitness level with a road bridge provided, at these points any its length and popularity has grown enormously it joins NCN63 which continues further North to of a person 10 years younger (British Medical obstructions under the bridge that would require and it is now made up of over 13,000 miles of Oakham then East to Stamford before turning Journal, 1992). Regular activity also helps to clearance are recorded. traffic free walking and cycling paths, quiet South to reach Peterborough. The route is fully reduce the risk of heart disease, burn excess lanes and on-road cycling routes that are a open and signed from Market Harborough to fat and reduce stress. Increasing physical From Market Harborough a number of villages great way to get to work, school, the shops Goadby mainly using quiet roads to achieve this activity is central to the government’s battle are linked by the former railway. Great Bowden or just to use for exercise or fun. In fact the link. to kerb obesity, which is predicted to cost is the first, located to the north of Market Network now carries more than a million walking the UK economy £50 billion annually by 2050 Harborough, next is Weston by Welland linked This report is intended to appraise the former and cycling journeys every day. (Department of Health, 2009). to the route via Green Lane. A short distance railway alignment as a cycle route. The former to the East Ashley is linked to the route via The Network was conceived as a place that railway line links Market Harborough with a Strategy Medbourne Road. Occupation Road provides a would give cycling and walking real status as number of small communities on the way to the quiet road link from the outskirts of Cottingham means of transport, as well as somewhere that edge of Peterborough. The London Midland and Scottish Railway route with both Drayton and Great Easton having novices and children can learn to cycle, and it through Market Harborough and Peterborough access to the route from minor roads. Caldecott sets out to be a safe and attractive environment Benefits to the area resulting from the route are ceased to be active after Nationalisation in is located on the route with gardens at the that encourages people to cycle more in their wide ranging: 1948. Over the years sections of the track have southern edge the village having been extended day to day lives. As well as providing a practical been sold off to be built on or incorporated • Tourism - Both long distance journeys of cycle onto the track bed. Further East Thorpe by alternative for people’s everyday journeys, there into adjacent farms. The resulting multiple land tourists and leisure riders day tripping from the Water also sits immediately adjacent to the are iconic routes such as the Sea to Sea (C2C) owners along the route represent the greatest benefit from NCN 6 former railway whilst Seaton and Harrington or Lon Las through Wales aimed at touring challenge to providing a cycle route along the railway alignment. Page 4 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

H a r 0 500 1000 b o r o u Scale (m) 1 g h

B N y p a Langton Road s s are located a short distance away with existing minor road links to the route. Further East again, Barrowden and Wakerley sit to the North and South of the route. At Top Lodge Caravan Park the surrounding forest is provided with both NCN 64 walking, horse and, mountain bike routes, one of which (a bridleway) is a bridleway and a possible alternative to the former railway should land ownership be an issue around Westhey Wood. Kings Cliff is the largest village on the route East with Nassington and Yarwell being the final settlements on the Peterborough border.

2.1 Langton Road to Harborough Bypass County (s) - Leicestershire. Length – 1 kilometre Cost Estimate – N/A Land Ownership – Mrs Weston

1. This section of the former railway line is

Binding Margin - dissected by A6 Harborough bypass, a - very busy major route with a 60mph speed limit. An at grade crossing is not considered to be practical at this location leaving only very expensive bridge or tunnel options to negotiate this obstruction. Use of the existing National Cycle route 64 is recommended as an alternative to following the railway line on this Market section of the route. Harborough

Disused railway (unsuitable for development as route)

Link to railway path on minor roads (NCN 64)

Railway Station

Page 5 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

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Scale (m) 2.2 Harborough Bypass to Bowden Lane N County (s) - Leicestershire. Length – 1 Kilometre Cost Estimate – N/A Land Ownership – Mr D Morris, Mr P Morris,

Mr Rickard

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is severed by A6 Harborough Bypass and as a n

result has not been considered further. NCN 64, e d

aligned along Great Bowden Lane from Great w

Bowden provides a suitable route to the point o

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Link to railway path on minor roads (NCN 64)

Disused railway (unsuitable for development as route)

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete 1 - Binding Margin -

NCN 64

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Page 6 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Break out and remove existing path alignment. Fill in with new defensive planting to remove short cuts across path. edge of river Widen path to 3.0m and link to 2.3 Great Bowden Lane to existing with 2.0m raidus corners Detail showing path in cutting Welham Road Clear whole 2.5m wide Detector loop cut into path and County (s) – Leicestershire / Northamptonshire. width of path finished cutting of all in machine linked to advanced count down Length – 2 Kilometres vegetation, laid bitmac timer on crossing. trees and bushes, leaving Welland Valley Railway Path route Cost Estimate - £500,000 only grass and small plants Land Ownership – Mr Brown, Mr Hart. Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete 1. Most of this route section has been 2.5m Replace existing structure with incorporated into the surrounding fields new 3.0m wide lightweight bridge although a narrow rough track can still be 0.5m high followed on the route of the railway across and causeway made from available along field boundaries. materials New toucan4m crossing on desire 10.0m span Note:line. all Min roots width must 4.0m. be removed Toucan to to ensurehave that detector there is loops no regrowth on approach paths to trigger early count down and reduce on roadside waiting for New 3.0m wide path ABBEY PUMP STN OUTFALL 3. A business pedestriansoperates in andthe cuttingcyclists. to one side of the Welham Road bridge. This land is W unregistered and therefore it is unclear if the e l business using the land is the owner. Land lh a 4.0mownership centreline issues radius apart, the former railway m R as it runs through a cutting to the west of the o a Welham Road Bridge would be straightforward d Path alignmentto install and a cycle geometry path along.to Access control to consist of double be designed to encourage slow row of bollards rather than "A" or Binding Margin - - approach speeds for cyclists. "K" frames. Path geometry set to slow cyclists on approach. Path on Widen path to 3.0m using existing 3 alignment wherever possible. Two rows of staggered bollards on rising gradient from riverside path cycle path to prevent vehicular to road crossing point. 2 2. This section of route includes two water course access. LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD crossings the larger of which would require a e n Break out and remove a new bridge. L existing path alignment. n Fill in with new e d defensive planting to w o remove short cuts B 2

t across path. a e Detector loop cut into r G path and linked to advanced count down N timer on crossing. 1

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Typical lightweight bridge Scale (m)

Typical lightweight structure Watermead Park

Rev Description Drawn Date Project Title Drawn Date Status Page 7 Sustrans Birmingham 03/01/14 CONCEPT The Walker Building, 58 Oxford Street River Soar Feasibility Study sustrans Loughborough Road Checked Scale at A3 Drawing No. JOIN THE MOV EMENT Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5NR 1:200 EM/C2FE/SK007 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.4 Welham Road to Green Lane

County (s) - Northamptonshire. 2. A house has been built adjacent to the railway Length – 0.5 Kilometres path alignment at the Green Lane end of this Cost Estimate - £75,000 route section. The route itself is used for access by farm vehicles to the surrounding fields. N Land Ownership – Mr and Mrs Fox Welland Valley Railway Path route 1. The cutting to the East of Welham Road Bridge Minor road route to be used where suffers from poor drainage leading to standing railway path is incomplete water. Any path using this alignment would require works to solve this issue (for example the provision of a boardwalk). To the east of the cutting the former railway route has been incorporated into the adjacent field.

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G W - Binding Margin - e l l h a 3. Green lane is a relatively quite road with good m R 2 visibility and low traffic flows. Only warning o a signs would be required in advance of a d crossing point to advise approaching vehicles of a cycle crossing point.

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Scale (m)

Page 8 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.5 Green Lane to Medbourne Road (B664)

County (s) - Northamptonshire. 2. With the exception of one field, the remainder Length – 1.5 Kilometres of this route section is used for access by farm Cost Estimate - £225,000 vehicles with the former railway alignment clearly defined making the construction of a Welland Valley Railway Path route Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. cycle path relatively straightforward. See Appendix A for full list. Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete 1. The first section of former railway land is owned Detail showing 2.5m wide path on railway formation and used by Anglian Water as an access road to 2.5m a sewage works (also on former railway land). A farm track continues East alongside the Sewage works itself before entering a field where signs e of the former railway have been largely erased. n a d A field ditch runs on a North South alignment 3. Medbourne Road is busier than Green Lane L R

n past the sewage works, crossing the route. The but a crossing for the route would have good e

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r existing structure would need to be checked visibility and could be provided with warning e r u

1 o although its use by farm vehicles suggests that signs for vehicles on the approaches. G

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Example of cycle activated warning at crossing, Leicestershire

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Scale (m)

Page 9 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.6 B664 Medbourne Road to Middleton Road County (s) – Northamptonshire. Length – 2.5 Kilometres Cost Estimate - £ 385,000 Land Ownership Multiple land owners. See Appendix A for full list. Welland Valley Railway Path route

1. Ashley Station House has a garden on the Minor road route to be used where route of the former railway line likely to require railway path is incomplete a diversion of a proposed path. Much of the rest of the former railway route is used by farm vehicles and is therefore clearly defined and relatively easy to convert into a cycle path.

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2. Two accommodation bridges are located - Binding Margin - along this section. One appears to be in good 0 500 1000 condition and is clear the other has been blocked by a soil embankment. Removal of the Scale (m) soil embankment would be necessary should the route alignment follow the former railway in this location.

3. The former railway route runs adjacent to Middleton Road without a crossing being made. An access point from Middleton Road does however link with the farm track that runs along the former railway. Compacted stone on this section of route provides a usable, if rough surface for cyclists.

Page 10 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.7 Ashley Road to Occupation Road County (s) – Leicestershire / Northamptonshire. 3. Occupation Road ends before linking directly Length – 1.6 Kilometres with the former railway however, a bridleway continues on to the route. ‘Jurassic Way’ also Cost Estimate £270,000 crosses the former railway on its way north Land Ownership Multiple land owners. See 0 500 1000 towards Bringhurst and Great Easton. Care Appendix A for full list. would need to be taken at these crossing points Scale (m) to sign the various routes and ensure good 1. Occupation Road forms part of ‘Jurassic Way’ a visibility for and of horse riders and walkers long distance footpath that crosses the former N crossing the cycle track. railway at this point and runs alongside it in other places.

Welland Valley Railway Path route Binding Margin - -

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete 2. One watercourse crosses the route with an existing bridge used by farmer vehicles. This 2 suggests that the bridge would be suitable for cycle traffic but the strength should be checked. New parapets would be required for this bridge.

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Oc cu pa tio n Ro ad 1

Page 11 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.8 Occupation Road to Middleton Road

County (s) – Leicestershire / Northamptonshire. 2. The route goes into a cutting as it approaches Length – 1.3 Kilometres Middleton Road where a substantial stone Cost Estimate £195,000 bridge carries the road over the former railway. The bridge is used to fly tip onto the former Land Ownership Mr Vaughan railway and at the time of the site visit there was 1. This short section of the former railway runs some standing water directly under the bridge. Welland Valley Railway Path route along a low embankment and is used by walkers Either side of the bridge the route was muddy M i but without standing water. A properly levelled d at present. The route at this point is clearly Minor road route to be used where path through this location should solve the railway path is incomplete d defined would be relatively straightforward to l e convert into a cycle path. minor existing ponding issue. t o

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2.5m wide d path finished in machine laid 2.5m 2 bitmac 1

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Scale (m) l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.9 Middleton Road to Gatehouse Lane / Long Lane County (s) - Leicestershire. Length – 1.45 Kilometres Cost Estimate - £232,500 3 Land Ownership - Mrs Barby

L a n e 1. This section of the former railway is clearly L o n g defined and used by farm vehicles as well as by walkers at present. Again, this section would be relatively straightforward to convert into a cycle path. 2 2. The route crosses Rockingham Dyke via a 1 bridge in reasonable condition. At Gatehouse Lane the former railway again meets Jurassic Way as well as Long Lane, a Bridleway providing a possible alternative route to Rockingham M

i Road. d

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Binding Margin - footways, a bridle Way and farm tracks. Visibility - is good from all points, vehicle numbers are 0 500 1000 negligible and very slow. Therefore no traffic calming measures or crossing facilities for Scale (m) cyclists are required. N

Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

Page 13 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Welland Valley Railway Path route

2.10 Long Lane to A6003 Minor road route to be used where Rockingham Road railway path is incomplete County (s) - Leicestershire. 2. Rockingham Road is busy and traffic speeds Length – 1.05 Kilometres are high on this approach to Caldecott. Visibility is however good. Ideally a Toucan would be Cost Estimate - £180,000 provided at this location although this may N Land Ownership Mrs Clarke, Mrs Stephenson require a reduction in the speed limit. Harrison, Mr Harrison, Mr Stephenson

1. From Gatehouse Lane the former railway becomes less defined having been incorporated 1 into adjacent fields. A former station house, now a house has its garden on the line of the railway. 2 Both of the above make provision through this section of route problematic in terms of land ownership.

3 Rockingham Road - Binding Margin - L a n e L o n g

Example of a rural Toucan crossing

3. Should the cycle path be routed along Long Lane (existing Bridle Way) then a link back along Rockingham Road back to the former railway alignment would be required. Due to the fast and heavy nature of the traffic on Rockingham 0 500 1000 road a section of shared use cycle / pedestrian path segregated from the carriageway would be Scale (m) required to take the route back onto the railway alignment.

Page 14 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

M i l 2.11 A6003 Rockingham Road l L a to Mill Lane n e County (s) - Leicestershire. 3. Mill lane is lightly trafficked with good visibility. Length – 2.55 Kilometres Only warning signs would be required 3 Cost Estimate - £387,500 in advance of a crossing point to advise approaching vehicles of a cycle crossing point. Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See 2 Appendix A for full list.

1. With the exception of two small fields the former railway between Rockingham Road and Mill Lane is still well defined and would be relatively straightforward to convert into a cycle path.

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Scale (m) 2. At the Mill Lane end of the path an adjacent house has built a number of small outbuildings Rural crossing, Oban to Fort William on the path and uses the line of the former railway for access to Mill Lane from these buildings. 1 Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

Rockingham Road

Page 15 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.12 Mill Lane to Thorpe by Water bridge County (s) - Rutland 2. The former railway line bridges over one Public Length – 1.6 Kilometres footpath. This bridge seems to be in good condition. Cost Estimate - £341,500 Land Ownership – Multiple land owners. See Appendix A for full list

1. The former railway lane to the east of Mill 2 Lane is used to store farm equipment but is 7 6 well defined and used by farm vehicles along B its length. One water course is crossed on this section of route, a new bridge would be required.

Thorpe by Water bridge

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Green Oak timber handrails and parapet posts with Marina decking 300mm kick board to base surface laid over steel frame

3.49m Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

1.42m 3. 200m from the Thorpe by Water Bridge. At this point the path has been purchased by adjacent houses and incorporated into gardens, 100° M The path under the bridge has been blocked. i ll 0 500 1000 With the exception of this last short stretch of L a n former railway this section would be relatively e Scale (m) 3.00m straightforward to convert into a cycle path. 1 Lightweight pedestrian / cycle bridge

Page 16 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.13 Thorpe by Water bridge to B672 County (s) - Rutland 3. At this point the B672 is lightly trafficked and Length – 1 Kilometre speeds at this point are low due to a bend in Cost Estimate - £155,000 the road. Visibility for cyclists crossing the road would however be poor. Land Ownership – Multiple land owners See Appendix A for full list

1. Most of this section of route is well defined and 0 500 1000 in a shallow cutting with trees along the route. Path construction would be straight forward. Scale (m)

Detail showing path in cutting Welland Valley Railway Path route Clear whole 2.5m wide width of path finished cutting of all in machine Minor road route to be used where vegetation, laid bitmac railway path is incomplete trees and bushes, leaving only grass and small plants

2.5m N 3

0.5m high 2 7 causeway made 6 B

Binding Margin - from available - materials 4m Note: all roots must be removed to ensure that there is no regrowth 2 2. A house has been built at the B672 end of this section with a further building further along the track.

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Thorpe by Water bridge

Page 17 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.14 B672 to Seaton Road

County (s) - Rutland 2. The embankment travels over one narrow 3. Seaton Road is lightly trafficked at this crossing Length – 1.1 Kilometres watercourse which would need a new bridge. point although speeds can be high due to the There is evidence of use by walkers along this long straight approaches to the Seaton Road/ Cost Estimate - £265,000 S section. B672 junction. warning signs would be required e a Land Ownership – Multiple land owners. See in advance of a crossing point to advise t Green Oak timber handrails o Appendix A for full list and parapet posts with Marina decking approaching vehicles of a cycle crossing point. n 300mm kick board to base surface laid over steel frame R o 1. A house and the buildings for a small business a d 3 have been built across the former railway at 3.49m the B672 end of this section. Access to the path could be regained after a short on road diversion (along B672). From this point the former railway route is well defined, straight and 1.42m built on and embankment for most of its length, although it is at grade by the time it reaches Seaton Road. 100°

3.00m Lightweight pedestrian / cycle bridge 2

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Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

Example of Rrural road crossing, Oban to Fort William

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Page 18 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.15 Seaton Road to B672 County (s) - Rutland 2. The above business uses the former railway Length – 1 Kilometre land to a point where a branch line heads North Cost Estimate - £150,000 towards Morcott. The track bed in the direction of Peterborough continues on a well defined Land Ownership – Multiple land owners line under the Welland Viaduct towards a further See Appendix A for full list crossing of the B672. The last section before the road has been entirely incorporated into a field 1. A car dismantling business operates from with no evidence of its former use remaining. A the old station building and former railway high field level at B672 is the only indication of line at the Seaton Road end of this section (a an embankment that previously took the railway footbridge remains). Again an on road diversion to a bridge over the road. As a result ramps would be required to get back onto the old track would be required to take the cycle path down 0 500 1000 alignment. to road level. Scale (m)

2 7 Welland Valley Railway Path route 6 B

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

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1 3. At this point the B672 is lightly trafficked although speeds can be high due to the long sweeping bends on the approaches. Any crossing point would require warning signs and possibly traffic calming to slow vehicles on the crossing approaches.

Page 19 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.16 B672 to Wakerley Road County (s) – Leicestershire / Rutland. 2. Three structures exist along this embankment. 3. The rail bridge over Wakerley Road has been Length – 3 Kilometres Two are relatively small, a farm track access removed requiring a ramp down from the bridge and a similar structure accommodating embankment for cyclists to enable an at-grade Cost Estimate - £700,000 a section of Jurassic Way between Borrowden crossing to be made. Wakerley Road is lightly Land Ownership – Multiple land owners. See and Wakerley. The latter structure has a clearly trafficked with reasonably low speeds and Appendix A for full list. visible crack running through it that will require good visibility. Signing for drivers warning of an further detailed inspection. The final structure is approaching cycle crossing would be required. 1. The embankment to the east of B672 tapers a large brick and stone structure over the River down for approximately 40 metres before the Typical Ramp Detail Welland. Some damage to the brick work under Remove material former railway line continues at grade on a well from embankment to this bridge was noted. defined path to meet Jurassic Way adjacent create 1:20 ramp to Turtle Bridge. Now in cutting the route runs 4m parallel to Jurassic Way and along the line of the . Part of this route section suffers from poor drainage particularly where 2.5m Former railway the cutting has been filled in at a point where embankment Jurassic Way crosses the railway route to run parallel to the former track on its North side. As the former Railway approaches the south side of Borrowden it rises again onto embankment on which it remains to Wakerley Road. - Binding Margin -

Page 20 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

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Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

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Page 21 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.17 Wakerley Road to A43 County (s) - Northamptonshire W 3. The A43 presents a significant barrier to the a k Length – 2.1 Kilometres route. Traffic is fast and flows are high. Although e r visibility for/of cyclists at the crossing point is l Cost Estimate - £315,000 e y

good extensive measures would be required to Welland Valley Railway Path route Land Ownership – Multiple land owners. See R

slow traffic on the approaches to this crossing o

Appendix A for full list a Minor road route to be used where

point in-order to make it safe. The alternative d railway path is incomplete would be a bridge for cyclists. 1. Immediately to the east of Wakerley Road the former railway line has been used as the garden for adjacent houses (former railway buildings). 1 The route, now heavily overgrown continues on embankment to the A43.

2. This section of route includes a railway bridge over a local road linking Wakerley with the A43. 2 This bridge appears to be in good condition but would require checking before use as part of the N cycle path. - Binding Margin - 3

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Page 22 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.18 A43 to Toplodge Caravan Park access County (s) - Northamptonshire. Length – 0.7 Kilometres Cost Estimate – £110,000

Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See 3 4

Appendix A for full list. A

1. To the east of the A43 the route is in cutting 1 as far as a road bridge that provides access to Top Lodge Caravan Park. This route section is heavily wooded but would be straight forward to provide with a path. The Caravan Park bridge has been used for fly typing and as a result considerable quantities of bricks would need to Toplodge Caravan Park access be removed from the cutting.

Detail of path in cutting looking towards bridge

2.5m wide path finished in machine laid bitmac Binding Margin - -

2.5m Welland Valley Railway Path route

Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete

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Page 23 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Toplodge Caravan Park access 2.19 Toplodge Caravan Park access to Wood Lane County (s) - Northamptonshire Length – 3 Kilometres Cost Estimate - £450,000 Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See Welland Valley Railway Path route Appendix A for full list. Minor road route to be used where 1 railway path is incomplete 1. For the first kilometre of this route section the well defined track passes through Weshay Wood with continuous tree cover alongside with the exception of a one location where an access track crosses the former railway.

2. The former railway line continues to be well

defined all the way to Wood Lane with no W structures on the way. Trees follow the line of o o d the track to a point just short of Wood Lane L where a final field is in agricultural use. a n e

3

3. Wood Lane Bridge carries a quite country

lane over the former railway, at this point in a 2 - Binding Margin - cutting. The area under the bridge has been filled in requiring the route to cross Wood Lane at grade. With very low traffic, and speeds on this roughly surfaced lane this could be easily achieved.

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Page 24 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.20 Wood Lane to Willow Lane County (s) - Northamptonshire. Length – 0.5 Kilometres Cost Estimate - £75,000 Welland Valley Railway Path route N Land Ownership – Multiple land owners. See Minor road route to be used where Appendix A for full list. railway path is incomplete

1. This short section of route in a deep cutting suffers from fly tipping at the Wood Lane end but is also used at present by dog walkers on the way to the marked footpath that begins at Willow Lane. The W

i

cutting is heavily wooded but would be relatively l

l straightforward to provide a path along. o

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Detail showing path in cutting L P

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Clear whole r

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cutting of all in machine t

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d 1 t bushes, leaving L only grass and a small plants n e

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Binding Margin - causeway made - from available materials 4m Note: all roots must be removed to ensure that there is no regrowth

2. Willow Lane bridges the former railway on a large stone structure. Steps are provided from the road down onto the former track bed.

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Page 25 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.21 Willow Lane to Park Street County (s) - Northamptonshire. 2. The line of the former railway leaves the footpath 3. The former Railway bridges Park Street and Length – 0.8 Kilometres at a small industrial estate access road. At this continues east on an embankment. point the cycle route would need to use this Cost Estimate - £120,000 very quite road to skirt an industrial Unit before N Land Ownership – rejoining the former railway alignment. The District Council. route, now on embankment is clearly defined and used at present by dog walkers. 1. Very similar to the previous section this heavily wooded cutting includes a signed footpath for most of its length. At the time of the site visit this W

i path was difficult to negotiate due to standing l l

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construction in this area would therefore need L P

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2.22 Park Street to Station Road (part 1) County (s) - Northamptonshire.

Length – 6 Kilometres

P

Cost Estimate - £900,000 a

r

k

Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See

S Appendix A for full list. t

r 0 1000 e 500 e

1. Immediately to the east of the Park Street t 1 Scale (m) bridge there are two much smaller structures giving access through the embankment firstly for a footpath and then for a small water course. N Both structures appear to be in a reasonable Welland Valley Railway Path route condition. Minor road route to be used where railway path is incomplete Binding Margin - -

Page 27 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.23 Park Street to Station Road (part 2)

County (s) - Northamptonshire. 3. On the 2km approach to Nassington the 4. The Station Road / Fotheringhay Road bridge Length – 6 Kilometres former railway is crossed by 2 By-ways (open has been removed requiring ramps (see above) Cost Estimate - £900,000 to all traffic) and a watercourse. The latter is should it be required to get the route back onto bridged by the railway (check this). The final the railway embankment having crossed the Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See approach to station Road/ Fotheringhay Road road. This road is relatively busy and a Toucan Appendix A for full list is on embankment and has been incorporated crossing may be appropriate at this location. onto the garden of the former Station building 2. The former Railway continues to the east on a (now a house). Therefore a diversion would be well defined wooded path crossed by a number required for the route at this point possibly via of footpaths and one water course where a Runnell Lane requiring a ramp down from the bridge remains. At Fair Oak Sale the line of the embankment. track is broken for approximately 700metres the majority of which is however followed by a footpath. - Binding Margin -

Page 28 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

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Welland Valley Railway Path route M

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Page 29 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

2.24 Station Road to Elton Road County (s) – Northamptonshire / Peterborough 2. An alternative crossing point of the Length – 1.9 Kilometres exists slightly to the north of Nassington where Mill Road gives access to a bridleway that Cost Estimate - £540,000 crosses the River Nene at Yarwell Mill. The Land Ownership - Multiple land owners. See bridleway to the west of the woodland crosses a Appendix A for full list. tributary of the River Nene on an existing bridge. The parapets of this structure would require 1. Immediately to the east of Fotheringhay Road heightening to be suitable for cycle use. From the Railway embankment has a number of there a farm road leads pat Yarwell Junction and businesses operating from it. There is an on to join Elton Road. access road to these businesses that could be used as part of the route but the embankment ends at this point with a steep drop down to the River Nene (the bridge having been removed). - Binding Margin -

Page 30 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Link to NCN route to

Peterborough M

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Welland Valley Railway Path route Binding Margin - - Minor road route to be used where

railway path is incomplete

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Page 31 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

3. Alternative Route the A43 and reaching Top Lodge. Due to the Any connective routes designated as interim are The National Cycle Network (NCN) is designated fast and busy nature of the traffic on the A43, unlikely to meet the five core principles above and designed to an appropriate standard to This alternative route follows wherever possible measures to assist cyclists in avoiding this road but user safety should be considered above all attract a wide range of users and abilities: quiet country lanes that in turn follow the line would be required. From Top Lodge the route else. of the former railway. The intention is that follows a Bridleway through Westway Wood to • A competent 12 year old child this route would provide linkages in a phased Wood Lane and into Kingscliffe. A minor road 4.1 Off-road sections cycling unaccompanied; development of an off-road route based along heads south east from the southern edge of the former railway. The quiet road sections Off-road greenway routes provide the public • Family groups with younger, Kings Cliffe in the direction of Apethorpe. At could be used should land agreements and or with a linear park. These have the potential to supervised children; and Apethorpe a bridleway heads north through funding not be available / possible. This route be more than just a convenient transport link; Bushrubs Wood and Little Morton to Apethorpe is marked with a dashed line on the report artwork and information boards can easily • All novice cyclists (aged 12 years and above). Road leading into Nassington. Finally a Byway drawings. provide points of interest. Proposed routes open to all traffic crosses the former railway along the former railway will provide a safe and With this in mind, NCN routes using the public heading north towards Yarwell. From Market Harborough NCN 64 follows aesthetically pleasing environment. One of the highway or off-highway infrastructure should: Welham Road and Great Bowden Lane to railways greatest advantages is its avoidance • allow a continuous “flowing” Welham. From Welham a minor road (Welham 4. Route Design of the undulating topography typical of the area experience without the inconvenience Road) leads to Weston by Welland where the which makes the former railway an ideal corridor of frequent start/stops B664 (Ashley Road then Medbourne Road) lead The route proposed should be designed and for a convenient, comfortable and attractive to Ashley. built to the standards and current best practice route. A typical issue with this type of alignment • have high quality surrounding environments as set out in: is the infrequency of access and crossing A minor road from Ashley (Middleton Road points. • have smooth, bound surfaces and Ashley Road) pass the Occupation Road  The National Cycle Network Guidelines and (where appropriate) junction before reaching Cottingham. The minor Practical Details (Edition II) – Sustrans 4.2 Highway sections road, Mill Lane heads north from Cottingham to • have low vehicular traffic (<3000 vehicles

 The Connect2 Greenways Guide – Sustrans Where routes share the highway either on - Binding Margin - Middleton Road through Bringhurst to Easton in a 2 way flow over 24 hours) and the footway or carriageway, it is important to Road and into Great Easton. From Great Easton  Cycling Infrastructure Design 85%ile speed less than 20mph. consider the design standard necessary to the minor road out in an easterly direction (LTN note 2/08) – DfT attract typical National Cycle Network users. (Station Road) leads to a surfaced farm road All route choices and designs should have the The highway authority will be central to the that forms a section of Jurassic Way. following core principles in mind: development of cycle routes along the public At Easton crossing a junction meets Long Lane highway. Cyclists may be accommodated on the 1. Convenience a Bridleway that takes the alternative route to carriageway, with or without a cycle lane, or on a Rockingham Road. A6116 Rockingham Road 2. Accessibility separate cycle track which may be shared with to Caldecott is too busy to be part of this route 3. Safety pedestrians. In addition, cyclists can be given useful advantage over motor traffic through without improvements for cyclists it is however 4. Comfort a short section before the route turns onto the the provision of contra flow cycling, exemption 5. Attractiveness B672 Lyddington Road. This minor road passes from Traffic Regulation Orders and short cut- throughs and links. Thorpe By Water on the way to Seaton junction. It is frequently not possible to deliver a full route or network in one phase and it is therefore From Seaton a further minor road (Seaton necessary to carefully consider the order in Road) heads south travelling under Welland which route or network sections are prioritised. Viaduct before turning left towards Barrowden. Each section delivered should be able to From Barrowden the route again turns south standalone as useful to the local community and to Wakerley and then continues south east onward interim connections to other acceptable past Wakerley Great Wood before crossing and safe walking and cycling routes considered.

Page 32 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

Bitmac wearing course - 60mm thick or 2 courses 40mm & 20mm. Note: hand work requires hot-rolled asphalt mix for smooth finish Seat as bike rack: Robert Kilvington The popular recycled sleeper seat: 4.3 Path Surface A stone regulating layer Jim Partridge and Liz Walmsley 50-100mm thick to make a Path surfacing is probably the regular surface may not be needed at all if the ballast is clean Detail of path single most critical element construction on determining the popularity of Hard surface such firm ground Seat as story: as railway ballast The Tarka Trail Greenways! near Torrington: or gravel road Katy Hallett A surface which is smooth, firm The seat and dry throughout the year and Verges flush as shelter with surface and look throughout its lifetime will generate out Phoenix Trail: Angus far higher levels of use than will Ross any sort of informal surface which is prone to damage from water, erosion and even horses. On this

project we recommend laying a Bitmac wearing course - 60mm thick or dense bitumen macadam (DBM) 2 courses 40mm & 20mm. Note: hand work The convivial requires hot-rolled asphalt mix for smooth finish Simplicity Bench: surface. This should always be Yumiko Aoyagi machine laid and generally a single 50mm base course: 60mm layer is the most appropriate 38mm type 1 or have a 25mm central camber The seat for solution. (If a second layer is used single sub-base layer or 40mm cross fall meetings at 150mm-200mm thick Whitehaven: then the weight of the construction John Naylor and vehicles laying this second layer John Grimshaw 100mm sub-base: may well damage the first layer, ballast, scalpings or The seat as Verges flush with especially on soft ground). planings a framed surface picture on the Binding Margin -

- Phoenix Trail: Leigh Roberts

2500mm Geotextile Bitmac path construction on soft soils (polypropelene) The seat for poor soils only Rangers: A seat for perching and looking at Sustrans Didcot: Dominic Clutterbuck Standard One Sleeper and 2 Halves, near Derby Horses wear out Shared cycle/ narrow path in walkway with grass verge 4.4 Seats seperate bridle path Part and parcel of walking and cycling is stopping and resting. Seats should always be carefully positioned so they have a particular view, or are under a particular tree. Therefore every seat is a place where a person may want to stop and, perhaps even more importantly, a destination a person might want to reach and a locality where they can meet friends. At entrances, or in areas likely to be used by a fair number of elderly or disabled people, seats should be close together, no more than 200– 300m apart, because even these distances might present quite a challenge for some. Seats should be positioned not only so they have an attractive view out over the vista either side of the path but also along the path so that their very presence and indeed occupancy leads to informal surveillance of the Greenway itself. 1m 2.5-3m 2.5m

Page 33 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

4.5 Access Bollards with a spacing of 1.20 – 1.50m can be Other types of access barriers should preferably used to prevent motorised vehicles accessing be avoided. While it is recognised that use Although our ambition is that all Greenways Greenways or other physically separated paths of motorcycles presents a problem on some should be freely open for walkers and cyclists while still allowing comfortable access by sections of the National Cycle Network, the without barriers, there are many instances cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchairs. Locked use of other types of access barriers restricts where stiles, gates or access controls of some removable bollards can be used to allow access and deters legitimate users such as cyclists kind or other are required. These are needed by maintenance vehicles. If the Greenway is also and wheelchair users as much as they do for the control of livestock where the Greenway used by equestrians on the same alignment, the motorcycles. passes in and out of grazed areas, for the bollards need to be 1.80m apart. provision of maintenance vehicles which require Where motorcycle abuse is anticipated then “A” larger entrances than walkers and cyclists frames are widely used to inhibit motorcyclists themselves, or for arrangements of various View of partially “opened out” A frame control at the end of whose wide handlebars are blocked, whilst Cullingworth Viaduct kinds to deter motorcycles. still allowing wheelchairs through. The best designs are adjustable so that as the problem of motorcyclists is overcome through a combination of high levels of public use, informal surveillance and clear signage with the backing of the local police, then the gap can be widened to minimise the inconvenience to legitimate users.

Bollards should be used to prevent vehicular access – York University. Note the removable unit for vehicle access

Similar effects can be realised by the use - Binding Margin - of rocks with similar spacing or by creating Open access without barriers at the Eden Project’s access road shows the ideal entrance to a Greenway - both chicanes with rocks. unrestricted and with a priority crossing of the road

View of typical “A” frame access control, with adjacent horse “box”, from the Great Northern Trail in Bradford

At Workington large local rocks have been used to define the route and create chicanes Anti motorcycle access barriers can be absurdly complex and are a complete obstacle to legitimate users

Page 34 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

The ‘Blue Pipe’ by George Cutts in York marks the waterworks pipe running under the path and ‘surfaces’ at various points along the route 4.7 Fencing Terris Novelis by Stock fences are usually post and wire. It Tony Cragg is best to install 7-wire mesh with 2 lines of near the site of the barbed wire above. The mesh ensures that Old Consett dogs don’t get through to worry stock. The Steelworks barbed wire should always be on the stock side of the posts with one line of smooth on the public side to reduce the likelihood of injury if a member of the public accidentally A post and wire crashed into the wire. stock-proof fence on a rural path The fence should always be as far from at Chedzoy in ‘Rotate’ by Trudi the path as possible so it is not casually Somerset. Note that Entwhistle, tampered with. fence is set 1m from an interactive work path on the Spen Valley A minimum of 1m is highly desirable. Greenway

‘Giaus Sentius’ by Gordon Young, a drinking fountain on the Bristol & Bath path

‘Wheel of Drams’

Binding Margin - ‘Sentinel’ by Jim - by Andy Hazell Paulsen on the Hengoed Viaduct West Country Way

Another view of the field fence at 4.6 Sculpture and Site Specific Works Chedzoy

Sustrans has had a long tradition of 4. Create a memorable route one would want to commissioning artists and sculptors to work on visit again. its projects. From the beginning the objective 5. Make local destinations that local people could has been to: be proud of. 6. Create a way for the community to be involved 1. Articulate the whole length of the Greenway and in the making of their Greenway by artists to give rhythm and points of focus on otherwise working locally with schools and others to relatively featureless routes such as derelict create and maintain their own pieces, promoting railways. the feeling of ownership of the Greenway

2. Mark out the mileposts.

3. Provide local historical and geographical interpretation to enhance users’ knowledge of the location. On the Gloucester and Higham path a top rail was added to assist people with disabilities near to the village

Page 35 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

The long straight alignment towards Blackridge made more memorable by shifting the path from side to side

Blocking off the long view with mounds from waste material 4.8 Views succession. The creation of this route would bring the land into long-term management. If Views can be divided into those along the conducted in an ecologically sound manner, Greenway in the direction of travel and those this management could allow these important Aligning the path to one side or the other of the route itself. right to the side habitats to be maintained in the long-term. of the formation The pictures in this section are all taken from so as to maintain a single Greenway – the railway path from Deviating the path to make a central views over Hillend The development of a comprehensive feature of a milepost - ‘Bedrock Bike’ Loch. The bank Drumgelloch on the outskirts of Glasgow to compensation strategy is crucial for this project by Dave Holladay on the left to shield noise from Bathgate on the way to Edinburgh. As this to be ecologically feasible. This will include adjacent road was a relatively straight railway traversing a habitat creation and long-term management A gentle ramp somewhat bleak landscape, considerable effort to replace and increase the area of calcareous adds to path interest and is was devoted to making it as interesting and and species-rich grassland, recreate structural aligned with memorable as possible. a view of the and species diversity in the habitat mosaic and Loch. Notice maintains a continuous corridor of shrubs and the radiised The path was moved from side to side to break trees. This scheme must also maintain and junction up long forward views. The route was moved to improve the quality of the habitats for notable the boundary to give clear views over interesting fauna that use the route. This compensation countryside, or raised onto adjacent ground for strategy would need to commence several the same reason. The photographs and text years prior to the destruction of the main habitat here describe these devices which have wide to allow species to spread to the new areas. The path diverts off a high applicability. embankment to gain shelter from Detailed consultation will be required with the the wind and to hide from views of an industrial site. This allows the Local Authority, Natural England and local Blue Legs by Doug Cocker to be nature partnerships to develop this strategy. appreciated the better 5. Ecology - Binding Margin - The former railway line is ecologically important Other impacts identified, such as potential At Armadale the Greenway moves off the railway to take advantage of the because it is a continuous landscape feature impacts on watercourses from bridge remains of a Green Lane and its trees that supports a valuable mosaic of habitats. construction, should be readily avoided This includes species-rich and calcareous through good project design and best practice grasslands and an almost continuous corridor in construction. Invertebrates, great crested of scrub and trees. These habitats are likely to newts, nesting birds, badgers, bats, dormice, support notable plant, invertebrate and reptile On the way to Balerno otters, water voles and reptiles are also Notice the profusion of the Greenway follows species in addition to other fauna with statutory considerations for the proposal. Surveys will wildflowers flourishing an old county road, protection. Over half of the route is covered by in the verges where no now traffic-free be required to determine the presence/absence topsoil is used nature conservation designations. of these and/or inform detailed impacts upon them. It is anticipated that the compensation The main ecological impact of the proposal strategy can be designed to maintain sufficient will be the loss of the grassland habitats and The dramatic habitat to maintain notable fauna populations A simple consequently a reduction in habitat mosaic profile therefore the presence of protected species of Lumir bench near diversity. These are significant negative impacts Soukup’s Drumgelloch should not be a barrier to route creation. The ‘Bathgate provides a of the proposal due to the high ecological goal for the detailed design of the scheme will need to Face’ breaks value of the grasslands and because they up the shape walk, a place take specific features, such as badger setts of a large to talk and to create habitat stepping stones between other observe the mound of important grasslands in the landscape including waste earth passers by SSSI. Without any management the grasslands may, over time, be lost naturally through

Page 36 l Welland Valley Route, Market Harborough to Peterborough Feasibility Study

and bat roosts into account and mitigation 6. Summary measures may be required for construction. Most of the former railway track bed would be Natural England Licences may be required in straightforward (in terms of construction) to relation to some of these species and it must transform into a cycle path. Land ownership is be demonstrated that the proposal is in the the key constraint along most of the route. The over-riding public interest, that there is no exception to this is where the line of the railway reasonable way to avoid the impact and that the has been broken by the removal of bridges at conservation status of the species will not be crossing points of roads or water courses. A negatively impacted. final physical constraint (two locations) occurs Current planning policy demands that where the track bed under road bridges has construction projects not only minimise their been blocked. Where physical barriers exist ecological impact, but provide enhancements along the route the financial cost of providing wherever possible. Ecological enhancement replacement bridges or ramps becomes a major measures proportional to the scale of the constraint. proposal should be built into the detailed the Whilst the number of points at which the design scheme. former railway is crossed by roads introduces a constraint in terms of providing a continuous cycle route it also provides an ideal opportunity to develop a staged approach to developing an off road cycle route with an on road route signed on problematic sections. The number of

Binding Margin - adjacent quiet roads also provide ready links to - neighbouring communities.

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