Category: News

News items from Cycle Hayling

Posted on

Money for local cycle projects!

The Government has announced “A nationwide drive to promote cycling in cities and national parks across England”.

This includes money specifically for cycle projects in the New Forest and South Downs national parks. See the announcement page for more detail.

We understand that the approved projects include a cycle path through the Butser cutting. Some of you might have signed the petition organised by Cycle Hayling committee member Robert Sebley. Robert worked closely with Mike Ashton of Portsmouth CTC who worked on the bid. Our congratulations to Mike, Robert and everyone involved in this bid – it’s been a lot of work over several years!

Posted on

Safe cycle routes to schools update – August 2013

We recently updated the safe cycle routes to schools project page.

This note provides an update on each of the routes we are working on:

Footpath 88 (the Cinder Track)

Shown as route 1 on the map below.

Route now open. Hampshire County Council completed it in spring 2013. All feedback has been positive, which is very encouraging, especially as Hayling residents are renowned for voicing concerns!

Footpath 102 - Beech Grove to Salterns Lane

Shown as route 2 on the map below.

The landowner has given approval for a permissive route, but a “pinch point” is the main factor preventing go-ahead from Hampshire County Council. Cycle Hayling is discussing alternative options with HCC (e.g. short “dismount” section).

Footpath 89 - Higworth Lane to Church Road

Shown as route 3 on the map below.

The land is owned by Parkdean Holiday Park. The site manager has given agreement to the path, but we are awaiting final go-ahead from the chief executive. Havant Borough Council is hoping to implement this route in 2014 if funds allow.

North-south off-road cycle route

Shown as route 4 on the map below.

The landowner of southern section has given agreement.

The northern section still requires approval from Registered Riders Scheme (RRS) and relevant landowners. The RRS are unwilling to share this limited section of their existing routes. Having tried for some time, we have finally managed to open discussions with the RRS, but it is clear there is considerable opposition from RRS leaders to sharing the footpath. We are trying to address their concerns, because this appears to be the only feasible option for providing a safe north-south link. Havant Borough Council shares this view.

Link from footpath 88 to the Mill Rythe Campus

Shown as route 5 on the map below.

The main landowner (Hayling Island Builders Ltd) has given formal agreement to the link, provided they don’t incur any cost. The land is currently leased to A.D. Walter Ltd (a farm), which has been contacted by Cycle Hayling.

Active involvement by both Mill Rythe Headteachers and the Hampshire County Council Travel Team, which has adopted the project.

Site visit already carried out by Hants Principal Engineer. Feasibility study by Hampshire County Council will begin once legal clearance has been obtained.

£10k is potentially available for this project from Living Streets to spend straight away. Total cost may be more than £10k however, so we may need additional funding from Havant Borough Council.

Map showing all the routes

This map shows all the above routes and how they link the schools together. Click the image to see more detail.

Map showing proposed safe cycle routes

Posted on

Billy Trail treasure hunt update

Sorry, we managed to confuse our web site. If you came here to download the Billy Trail Treasure Hunt, or to get model answers, please use this link to go to the page you wanted. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

We launched the treasure hunt over the week-end of 6/7 July to support the other Hayling Billy 50 commemoration events taking place on the same day.

We handed out treasure hunts at the south end of the Billy Trail and in East street in Havant.

Continue reading “Billy Trail treasure hunt update”

Posted on

New money for Hayling’s leisure trails

We initially heard from Andy Leneghan that the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) had allocated £60K to improve access to leisure trails.

We’ve done some digging and Havant has confirmed that:

“£60,000 capital funding has been allocated to Havant Borough Council (HBC) by PUSH to improve access and connectivity to green infrastructure on Hayling Island through enhancements to the Billy Trail and the Seafront footpath/cycleway. HBC and Hampshire County Council will contribute S106 funding to match the PUSH grant which is to be spent on resurfacing work and provision of signage for both trails, including restoration of the old Billy Line signal arm. The work will be carried out during autumn/winter 2013/14 so it will be completed for Spring 2014.”

We’ll publish more details as we learn them.

Posted on

Chris Boardman, Dave Brailsford and Laura Trott ask for your help

If you haven’t already done so, please consider joining with cyclists all over the country to petition the Department for Transport to implement the findings of the ‘Get Britain Cycling’ Inquiry.

You can see a direct appeal from Sir Chris Boardman, Sir Dave Brailsford and Laura Trott here.

We’re over half way to the 100,000 signatures needed to force a debate in parliament. It’s likely that would result in new pledges – and money – from the government to support every day cycling.

Please also consider asking family and friends to add their names to the petition. It takes just a minute or two.

Posted on

All clear (mostly) on the Billy Trail

The stones that made the South end of the Billy Trail difficult and potentially dangerous have been removed.

Cycle Hayling and several users of the Billy Trail raised concerns through a number of contacts, and they have been heard. There is a large pile of the stones in the car park next to HIADS. Hopefully they’ll be removed and not redeployed on the trail.

You should be aware, however, there are still some stones left on the trail. Some care is needed to avoid them.