Location of Public Hards and Slipways on the River Hamble

Home , Bursledon, River Hamble, Warsash

Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Hamble Estuary Partnership

The map below shows the locations of the hards and slipways which provide public access to the River Hamble.

Bursledon Bridge (Upstream)

Bursledon Bridge (Downstream) Swanwick

Lands End

Hamble

Warsash

Produced on behalf of the Hamble Estuary Partnership 0 0.5 1 2 Not to be used for navigation Drawn on 06 September 2011 Kilometers

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010

Other public launching places include the quay at Botley (SU 515127, SO30 2UG), the small slipway off Mercury Gardens (SU 485078, SO31 4PA), Hamble-le-Rice and from the foreshore at the Jolly Sailor (SU 492093, SO31 8DN) however the usage of these sites is relatively low in comparison to the

1 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 slipways/hards detailed in this document. There are other access points to the River Hamble via the marinas, boatyards and sailing clubs however these either do not allow public access or there is no public access to the slipway/hard itself.

The terms ‘public hard’ and ‘public slipway’ are not clearly defined but a broad definition might be ‘sites where the general public may launch craft through right, permission or custom, over the foreshore into tidal waters’.

Public hards and slipways are very important as they allow everyone to access the river. Hards and slipways can be used for many different reasons including recreation and leisure purposes, exercise, boat maintenance and fishing. They also improve people’s connection with an area and help to develop a sense of community.

As an important form of public space, slipways and hards can be registered as a new town or village green. To do this they must qualify by meeting the usage guidelines as set out in the Commons Registration Act 1965, this means that they must have been used by individuals for exercise or recreation or for lawfully carrying out sports or pastimes for over 20 years (Open Spaces Society, 2007).

Historically there were many more access points to the River. Before the road bridges were built, the only alternative to a large detour around the Hamble was to cross it by boat and several ferries provided crossings at different places. During the second World War, many quays and hards were constructed in what is now known as Manor Farm Country Park. HMS Cricket, as it was known at the time, was used as an assembly point for troops and landing craft. The remnants are still visible, particularly in Hoe Moor Creek and in aerial photographs.

-- Please Note --

This document has been produced on behalf of the members of the Hamble Estuary Partnership to provide information on the hards and slipways which provide public access to the River Hamble.

Land Ownership details are based on information supplied by the Land Registry (as of 14 March 2011). This information should be used as an indication only as no other legal documents have been checked to confirm this information and so accuracy can not be guaranteed.

This document may not be up to date at the time of viewing.

2 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Warsash

Location:

Shore Road, Warsash, Hampshire, SO31 9FR. Grid Reference: SU489061

Ownership:

The Crown Estate own the land up to the high water mark. The Crown Estate land is leased to Hampshire County Council.

Maintained by:

The Harbour Authority assumed responsibility for the clearing seaweed in 2013. Fareham Borough Council contributes towards the cost of this. The cobbled area towards the top is maintained by Fareham Borough Council. Hampshire County Council (Highways department) is responsible for maintenance below the cobbled area.

Parking Availability:

Short stay car parking is available adjacent to the site in the Shore Road car park. Parking here is free all year however between April and September you may only park in this car park for 4 hours at a time.

Long stay car paring is available nearby at the Passage Lane car park. Parking here is free and you may park for a period of up to 7 days. A limited number of trailer spaces are also available.

Facilities available:

There are several maintenance piles which can be used for maintenance tasks. If you are a mooring holder on the River Hamble you may use these facilities for free for 24 hours, otherwise there is a cost which is payable at the Harbour Office nearby.

Issues:

This site suffers from accumulations of thick seaweed in the Summer months and at times this can make it very difficult to launch vessels at this location. The Harbour Authority arranges ad hoc clearances as required.

Suitable for:

Its location at the mouth of the River makes it an ideal place to launch from to explore Southampton Water and the Solent. The site is wide although it does have a shallow gradient which extends to the low water mark. It is well compacted and provides a good surface for launching. Most types of vessel can be launched here, given suitable weather and tidal conditions.

3 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

Warsash

4 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Swanwick

Location:

Swanwick Shore Road, Swanwick, Hampshire, SO31 7EF. Grid Reference: SU495093

Ownership:

The land is owned (freehold) by the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate has leased this land to Premier Marinas who operate the adjacent marina.

Maintained By:

This site is maintained by Fareham Borough Council. Seaweed and other debris is removed as required. As this site is used less frequently for the launching of boats from trailers, Fareham Borough Council receives fewer calls to clear seaweed and debris from here.

Parking Availability:

Car parking is available directly adjacent in the Swanwick Shore Road car park. There are also a few spaces to park trailers. Parking is free and available for up to 24 hours at a time.

Facilities available:

There are no other facilities available at this location. There is some tender storage on the shore by the car park however these are not secure and so we would recommend that tenders are not left at this location.

Issues:

Accumulations of seaweed can build up on this slipway which can make it difficult to launch vessels from trailers at times.

Suitable for:

Its location makes it an ideal place to launch from to explore the upper reaches of the River Hamble, it is a good place to launch kayaks and canoes. It extends to the low water mark and the gradient is shallow so it provides a good surface to launch small craft from. There are several piles which mark the upstream edge.

5 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

Swanwick

6 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Bursledon Bridge (Upstream)

Location:

Bridge Road, Bursledon, Hampshire, SO31 8AW. Grid Reference: SU493097

Ownership:

The land below the high water mark is owned by the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate lease this land to Hampshire County Council.

Maintained by:

Although the slipway is considered to be part of Hampshire County Council’s Highways Department it does not appear to have been maintained in some time.

Parking Availability:

There is no public car parking available at this location. The nearest public car parking is at Bursledon railway station (0.2 miles) and at Swanwick Shore Road (0.4 miles) both of these locations offer free parking. Trailer parking is available at Swanwick Shore Road.

Facilities available:

There are no other facilities available at this location

Issues:

This slipway has no public parking available which limits its use. The hard standing is quite rutted in places and is overhung by low tree branches which combine to make trailer launching difficult. The slip drops off sharply around the low water mark and is not marked so care should be taken if launching at low water. In addition, this slipway is not signposted from the road and it may be missed if you are not familiar with its location.

Suitable for:

This slipway provides good access to the upper reaches of the River Hamble. It is suitable for use by small craft, canoes and kayaks.

7 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

The public slipway at Bursledon Bridge (Upstream).

8 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Bursledon Bridge (Downstream)

Location:

Bridge Road, Bursledon, Hampshire, SO31 8AZ Grid Reference: SU493097

Ownership:

The land below the low water mark is owned by the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate lease this land to Hampshire County Council. It is not known who owns the area of intertidal.

Maintained by:

Although the slipway is considered to be part of Hampshire County Council’s Highways Department it does not appear to have been maintained in some time.

Parking Availability:

Facilities available:

There are no other facilities available at this location.

Issues:

There is no public car parking available at this location which limits its use. The hard standing below the mean high water mark is quite rutted and this could make launching more difficult. Access to the slipway is narrow with no turning space, only one vehicle could use this slipway at a time. The slip ends sharply around the low water mark and this drop is not marked so care should be taken if launching when the tide is low.

Suitable for:

The slipway is most suitable for those wishing to explore the upper reaches of the River Hamble, particularly those in canoes and kayaks.

9 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

The public slipway at Bursledon Bridge (downstream) by Deacons Boatyard.

10 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Lands End Slipway

Location:

Lands End Road, Bursledon, Hampshire. SO31 8DN Grid Reference: SU493093

Ownership:

The land below the high water mark is owned by the Crown Estate who lease the land to Hampshire County Council. It is believed that the land above the high water mark is owned by Bursledon Parish Council however this has not been confirmed.

Maintained by:

The area of land above the high water mark is maintained by Bursledon Parish Council. It is not known who, if anyone, maintains the slipway below the high water mark.

Parking Availability:

There is a limited amount of free parking available on Lands End Road, a short distance away from the slipway. Parking is limited to a 4 hour stay only. There is more free parking available in Bursledon railway station where you can park your car for 24 hours.

Facilities available:

There are several maintenance piles by the slipway which can be used for maintenance tasks. If you are a mooring holder on the River Hamble you may use these facilities for free for 24 hours, otherwise there is a cost which is payable at the Harbour Office.

Issues:

There is only a small amount of on-street parking available which can limit its effective usage.

Suitable for:

The gravel slip is good for launching dinghies, kayaks and other small craft. Its location makes it suitable for those wishing to explore the upper reaches of the River Hamble. Its close proximity to Elephant Boatyard means that it is frequently used as a convenient place to launch boats for those wishing to view or take part in the Bursledon Regatta events.

11 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

The public slipway at Lands End.

12 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013 Hamble Slipway

Location:

The Quay, Hamble, Hampshire. SO31 4HB Grid Reference: SU484068

Ownership:

The slipway is owned by Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council.

Maintained by:

The slipway is maintained by Hamble-le-Rice Parish Council. The slipway is inspected by the Parish Council approximately once a month, seaweed and other debris is removed from the slipway at this time.

Parking Availability:

There is car parking available adjacent to the slipway and within Hamble village. The car park is pay and display all year round, the cost is 50 pence per hour for up to 12 hours. Disabled badge holders may park for free for a period of up to 4 hours. Residents of Hamble may apply for a permit, available from the Parish Council, which allows for free parking within this car park for a period of up to 4 hours.

Facilities available:

Issues:

In general, there are no problems associated with launching from this slipway. However, at peak times the car parks can become very busy and there may not always be a convenient space near to the slipway to park. There is limited availability for the parking of trailers.

Suitable for:

Its location near the mouth of the River makes it an ideal place to launch from to explore Southampton Water and the Solent. The gravel slip extends down to the low water mark and provides a good surface to launch from. Most types of vessel can be launched this slipway, given suitable weather and tidal conditions.

13 Hamble Estuary Partnership Last updated 30 July 2013

The public slipway at Hamble.