Experience of the six demonstration prpojects when implementing new Greenways

Network Implementation

There are a range of legal, funding and construction lessons to share.


WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS AND SECTION 106 

There have been notable successes in most of the demonstration areas, although opportunities are usually random and not necessarily frequent. Good communication with planners (and developers) is essential, and involving a development control officer in the steering group is a good way to ensure this. 

LEGAL RIGHTS OF WAY ISSUES 

Legal issues have proven tricky to resolve, and it has often proven easier to have a local agreement with a landowner rather than go through difficult and lengthy legal processes. Having a close relationship with the relevant highway authority rights of way team is viewed as important.   

FUNDING SOURCES 

A key source of funding that has emerged during the demonstration period are the Local Transport Plans. Nearly all of the demonstration projects are tapping into the LTP's, despite originally being recreation based. Those that have not yet achieved this are working towards it. Lincoln has been successful in getting "Community Travel Zone" work funded through the LTP (£600,000 over 2 years).   

Two of the demonstration projects have investigated funding from their Regional Development Agencies, looking to access money from the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), tourism funding support and European funding under Objective 2. These two funding areas have been best exploited where the partnership contains officers with the relevant experience or background. 

Other funding sources used include Landfill Tax, Lottery sources, the relevant Highways Authority and Section 106 agreements. Mersey Forest and Watling Chase have both had access to extra funding from the Countryside Agency though their Community Forest budgets. 

A major funding issue is that of the posts involved. Several of the demonstrations are now seeking funding to continue or start posts, and while there are funding sources for route implementation, it is more difficult to obtain funding for posts. 

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 

As implementation of routes has begun, issues and problems have arisen, along with some interesting solutions. The need for good design is a consistent theme, and in some demonstrations Groundwork has been used because of their experience in this area. The demonstration project process and Countryside Agency funding allowed design issues to be explored in some detail. 

  • Surfacing - there are a variety of materials available, to ensure the surface is appropriate for users and blends in with its surroundings.
  • Gates and stiles - the main issue has been how to keep motorbikes and cars out, while allowing wheelchairs, horses and bikes. Watling Chase are using a new stile design (BS 5709-2001) while Lincoln do not install any barriers unless there is a significant problem.
  • Horse facilities created include set of "horse steps" in Watling Chase, which allow horses to access a stream under the M25 (the adjacent path does not have enough headroom).