Exploring the Heritage Landscape VMA
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Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan 5.20 Project: Exploring the Heritage Landscape VMA Short Trails from the Principal Gateways VMA 1 Secondary Gateways and Trails VMA 2 5.20.1 Introduction In the main access will rely on existing provision and will comprise: Short, circular trails – a series of routes of between one and two hours duration emanating from Gateways. They will follow existing Rights of Way and take visitors past heritage features. Family cycle trails – circular routes of an easy half day duration commencing from Gateways and utilising quiet roads, parts of the National Cycle Network and historic transport features. Cross country riding routes – longer distance circular routes based on the bridleway network that can be enjoyed by horse riders, cyclists and walkers. These will also provide a strategic link into the wider landscape. All of these routes will take the visitor to a range of heritage features and be supported by printed and downloadable guides. This Programme also includes actions that will enhance these routes through the installation of high quality signage and interpretation. Promoted family cycle trails The chosen routes are proposed to commence from existing gateways situated on the cycleway network: 5.20.2 Links with other Programmes Delivery Plan Implementation Programme Code A B C VMA 1 GEO 1 GEO 2 VOL 1 EV 1 VMC 1-3 IOS 2 ARC 5 STS 1 EV 2 SCED 1 IM 2 IM 3 VMA 2 GEO 1 GEO 2 ELIG 2 ELIG 4 VOL 1 VMC 1-3 IOS 2 EV 1 EV 2 SCED 1 IOS 3 IM 1 IM 2 IM 3 5.20.3 Primary Aims and Outcomes Primary Aims To promote to target audiences the easy exploration of the Forgotten Landscapes from the principal gateways. To raise awareness and understanding of the natural and cultural heritage of the landscape Outcomes Increased number of visitors exploring the landscape Improved quality of user / visitor experience 36 Section 5 Programme C Visitor Management & Interpretation Projects VMA 1 & 2 Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan Delivery Plans 37 Section 5 Programme C Visitor Management & Interpretation Projects VMA 1 & 2 Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan Delivery Plan Exploring the Heritage Landscape VMA 1 Title Short Trails from the Principal Gateways Total Budget Cash £27,000 (10% contingency) Plan An essential part of the vision for the Forgotten Landscapes Scheme is to description encourage more people to explore the heritage landscape. Many keen walkers and special interest groups are already visiting the area and using the promoted longer trails (e.g. the Iron Mountain Trail) or planning their own itineraries. To encourage the target audiences (see below) to venture out onto this exposed and rugged terrain it is proposed to promote a series of shorter circular trails of between one and two hours duration from the visitor gateways. These will provide a relatively easy introduction to some of the features in the heritage landscape and will be supported by the proposed visitor information and interpretative media. As the routes are relatively short this will make them easier to guide and interpret to visitors. These trails will be four of ten routes that have been identified in total, all of which will be promoted on a single broadsheet leaflet (see separate Delivery Plan IOS 3). The established principal visitor arrival points or ‘gateways’ are at St Peter’s World Heritage Centre (WHC), the Big Pit National Mining Museum, Blaenavon Ironworks and Abergavenny TIC. These are well signed from the main approaches and visitors can find secure parking, toilets, refreshments and information, interpretation and orientation at the gateways. The circular trails from each of these gateways are as follows: 1. World Heritage Centre to Big Pit via Forgeside and the ‘Dragons Teeth’ 2. Blaenavon Ironworks to Hills Pits past the Pwll Du tunnel portal 3. Big Pit to Whistle Inn via the Coity Tip 4. Abergavenny TIC to Govilon Wharf via the Monmouthhire and Brecon Canal The routes for the Trails are described in more detail in the attached route description sheets. The routes for the Trails are described in more detail in the attached Appendix The project work will provide clear way-marking and route improvements where required. Information and interpretation for the trails will be developed under other proposals (see separate Delivery Plans VMC 2, VMC 3, IOS 3, IM 2, IM 3) NB: There is a promoted Blaenavon Town Heritage Trail that connects the World Heritage Centre with the Blaenavon Ironworks. This is not included here but it will also be promoted in conjunction with the short trails. 38 Section 5 Programme C Visitor Management & Interpretation Projects VMA 1 & 2 Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan Aims • To promote the easy exploration of the Forgotten Landscapes from the principal gateways to target audiences. • To raise awareness and understanding of the natural and cultural heritage of the landscape. • To remove or reduce physical barriers to access to the heritage landscape Objectives • To establish and promote four trails • To provide coherent branded way-marking on each route • To implement route improvements as follows: - WHC to Big Pit: Install short link to ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ micro-hydro site - Blaenavon Ironworks to Hills Pit: Drainage improvements and new easy-access gates, access to Pwll Du tunnel southern portal - Big Pit to Whistle Inn: Drainage and surface improvements and new easy-access gates. New link from rear of Big Pit car park to cycleway - Abergavenny TIC to Govilon Wharf: vegetation clearance at Govilon cycleway/towpath link • To install counters to monitor usage of the Trails Monitoring and Output Measure Target evaluation criteria Short trails established No. 4 Public access routes enhanced Linear km 15.5 Increased usage of trails No. of people Increase by 50% by end of year 3 Increased interest in trails No. of trail guide 5,000 by yr 3 downloads NB: Supporting trail guide and other media included elsewhere (see separate delivery plans VMC 1-3, IOS 3, IM 2, IM 3) Beneficiaries / Key Young families audiences Elderly and less-able groups Walking for Health groups Urban dwellers (i.e. and people not confident in the open countryside) School / educational groups (ref. Education Plan) Visitors Outcomes • Increased number of visitors exploring and understanding the heritage landscape • Easier access to heritage for less confident or able visitors • Improved quality of user/visitor experience 39 Section 5 Programme C Visitor Management & Interpretation Projects VMA 1 & 2 Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan Integration Links with other Delivery Plans Conservation and Climate Change : * access to geological features: GEO 1, GEO 2 * access to Pwll Du tunnel southern portal: ARC 5 * improved access to the Coity Tips: STS Visitor Management and Interpretation: * information on and promotion of secondary gateways and trails to explore the landscape: VMC 1-3, IOS 2 * development of mobile media content: IM 2, IM 3 Community Engagement and Education and Training: * opportunities for volunteering activities and training: VOL 1 * promotion of trails through community outreach events: EV 1, EV 2 * links to educational programmes including Landscape Explorer programme: SCED 1 Key stakeholders / The following organisations will need to approve / give final permissions for consultees the project proposals and be consulted with as part of the implementation process: 1. St Peter’s World Heritage Centre to Big Pit National Mining Museum : * Torfaen CBC – Dev. Control (new access) Highways(signage) Estates (land) and Countryside (RoW) NB. TCBC Countryside are implementing part of this route in 2009-10 * Big Pit NMM (land and signage) 2. Blaenavon Ironworks to Hills Pits Chimney : * Torfaen CBC – Highways(signage) Estates (land) and Countryside (RoW) * Blaenavon Ironworks (signage) * Walter’s Mining Ltd (land – no signage proposed) * Commoners 3. Big Pit NMM to Whistle Inn : * Torfaen CBC – Highways(signage) Estates (land) and Countryside (RoW) * Big Pit NMM (gate and signage) * Private landowners (gate, route improvements and signage) 4. Abergavenny TIC to Govilon Wharf : * Brecon Beacons NPA (signage, RoW) * Llanfoist Village Association * British Waterways (land/access) * Monmouthshire County Council (land) * Sustrans (signage) 40 Section 5 Programme C Visitor Management & Interpretation Projects VMA 1 & 2 Forgotten Landscapes Project Landscape Conservation Action Plan Risk General: appraisal * Branding of routes needs to be determined (if considered necessary) * Responsibility for ongoing maintenance of route signage to be confirmed by the FLP partners. For each trail: 1. St Peter’s World Heritage Centre to Big Pit National Mining Museum : * TCBC Countryside currently applying (2009-10) for statutory planning consent for new access use and permissive access rights through community woodland at Forge Side(TCBC land) and Welsh Water landholding and permissive access past Big Pit exit tunnel portal * H&S risk assessment for users subject to determination of link route through community woodland and access to proposed ‘Dragon’s Teeth’ micro-hydro project 2. Blaenavon Ironworks to Hills Pits Chimney: * No new access consent required * Open-access land owned by Walter’s Mining Ltd. Current negotiations for permission to promote an extension of route over non-Iron Mountain trail sections * New access gates and drainage improvements on Iron Mountain Trail section (restricted byway) – subject