Lea Valley Walk – Harpenden Section Greenspace Action Plan 2019 - 2024 Produced by: On behalf of: Produced by: On behalf of: OVERVIEW Greenspace Action Plans Greenspace Actions Plans (GAPs) are map-based management plans which specify activities that should take place on a site over a stated period of time; these activities will help to deliver the agreed aspirations which the site managers and stakeholders have identified for that site. Public Engagement Engagement with stakeholders is at the centre of effective management planning on any site. An initial engagement period was held for four weeks in October 2018, to establish core aims and objectives for the site; these are reflected in Section 3. A second stage of engagement completed in March 2019 enabled stakeholders to comment on the proposed management actions for the site. An associated engagement response document, published online as an appendix to this plan, summarises comments received and any amendments made to the plan as a result. Version Control Version Issue Date Details Author Reviewed Approved Lea Valley Walk Greenspace Action Plan 2019 - 2024 i CONTENTS Overview ............................................................................................................................... i Greenspace Action Plans ................................................................................................... i Public Engagement ............................................................................................................ i Version Control ................................................................................................................... i Contents .............................................................................................................................. ii 1.0 Summary ................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Site Summary ......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Vision Statement ..................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Site Description ........................................................................................................ 2 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 2 2.2 Geography and Landscape ..................................................................................... 7 2.3 History and Archaeology ......................................................................................... 7 2.4 Habitats and Wildlife ............................................................................................... 7 2.4.1 A Green Corridor ............................................................................................. 7 2.4.2 Secondary Woodland ....................................................................................... 8 2.4.3 Horticultural and Invasive Non-Native Species ................................................. 9 2.4.4 Hedgerow ........................................................................................................ 9 2.4.5 Grassland ........................................................................................................ 9 2.4.6 The River Lea .................................................................................................. 9 2.4.7 Wildlife Records ............................................................................................... 9 2.5 Access, Facilities and Infrastructure ...................................................................... 10 2.5.1 The Green Infrastructure Network .................................................................. 10 2.5.2 Cycling ........................................................................................................... 10 2.5.3 Public Rights of Way ...................................................................................... 11 2.5.4 Access Points ................................................................................................ 11 2.5.5 Path Surface .................................................................................................. 12 2.5.6 Park Furniture ................................................................................................ 12 2.5.7 Signage and Interpretation ............................................................................. 12 2.5.8 Bridges .......................................................................................................... 13 2.6 Community and Events ......................................................................................... 14 3.0 Aim & Objectives .................................................................................................... 15 4.0 Management Prescriptions .................................................................................... 17 4.1 A Safe and Sustainable Multi-user Route .............................................................. 17 4.1.1 Surfacing ....................................................................................................... 17 4.1.2 Access ........................................................................................................... 17 4.1.3 Lighting .......................................................................................................... 19 4.1.4 Tree Surveys ................................................................................................. 19 Lea Valley Walk Greenspace Action Plan 2019 - 2024 ii 4.1.5 Structures ...................................................................................................... 19 4.2 Habitat Management ............................................................................................. 20 4.2.1 Secondary Woodland ..................................................................................... 20 4.2.2 Horticultural and Invasive Non-Native Species ............................................... 21 4.2.3 Hedgerow ...................................................................................................... 21 4.2.4 Grassland ...................................................................................................... 21 4.2.5 Protected Species .......................................................................................... 21 4.3 Signage and Interpretation .................................................................................... 21 4.3.1 Signs and Waymarks ..................................................................................... 21 4.3.2 Entrance Signs .............................................................................................. 22 4.3.3 Interpretation.................................................................................................. 22 4.4 Grounds Maintenance ........................................................................................... 22 4.4.1 Path Clearance .............................................................................................. 22 4.4.2 Dog and Litter bins ......................................................................................... 23 4.4.3 Fly Tipping ..................................................................................................... 23 4.5 Community Involvement........................................................................................ 23 4.6 Funding ................................................................................................................. 23 5.0 Action Plans and Maps ............................................................................................ 1 YEAR 1 MAP 2019 - 2020 ............................................................................................. 3 YEAR 2 MAP 2020 - 2021 ............................................................................................. 5 YEAR 3 MAP 2021 - 2022 ............................................................................................. 7 YEAR 4 - 5 MAP 2022 - 2024 ........................................................................................ 9 6.0 Specifications ........................................................................................................... 1 S1. Path Side Vegetation.................................................................................................. 1 S2. Woodland Management ............................................................................................. 1 S3. Invasive Non-Native Species ...................................................................................... 2 S4. Disposal of Rubbish ................................................................................................... 2 S5. Signage ...................................................................................................................... 2 S6. Interpretation .............................................................................................................. 3 S7. Furniture ..................................................................................................................... 3 S8. Surfacing .................................................................................................................... 4 Lea Valley Walk Greenspace Action Plan 2019 - 2024 iii 1.0 SUMMARY 1.1 Site Summary Site Name: Lea Valley Walk Site Address: