Cycle Routes Around Emsworth.
Richard Jannaway
Living on a flat plane we should be in ideal cycling country. However,
the history of cycle paths in our area is one of fragmentation and
delay. The report commissioned in 1995 and published a couple of years
later shows an excellent plan with Primary Routes, Feeder Routes and
Leisure Routes interlinking to give pleasant, safe and convenient ways
to cycle to Havant, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Westbourne and
Chichester. There was a pledge to double cycle use by 2002 (compared
with 1996)
What we actually have nine years after the report was commissioned is a
few fragmented designated paths, like the short stretch between
Westbourne Avenue and Westbourne, a narrow cycle lane on the Havant
Road and a nice plan. Meantime cyclists have to negotiate heavy traffic
on narrow roads, meaning for example, that a simple journey to Rowlands
Castle, 3 miles to the North, requires cycling down uneven winding ‘B’
roads with fast traffic and poor visibility.
Strategic routes
These routes exist mostly on paper although some progress is being made
outside the ward. Especially welcome is the new route under
construction from Hart Farm Way, (near the amenity tip) across
Farlington Marshes which will enable cyclists heading for Portsmouth to
avoid the A27 west of the A3M junction and ride along a pleasant
harbour-side path instead of risking death on the A27, as happened
recently to a woman who was on a round Britain cycle ride.
School Run
It’s not just cyclists who are suffering from the lack of facilities,
the whole town is congested by traffic from the school run twice a day
and our children are less fit and healthy because so few of them can
safely cycle, or walk to school. Travel plans have been created by the
two primary schools and will be implemented as funding becomes
available. The key route runs from behind the school in Victoria Road,
through the Washington Road underpass, across the recreation ground and
across Horndean Road at the school crossing point to link up with St
James School. There are draft plans to extend it up into North Emsworth.
This route has considerable problems at present. It begins within the
Emsworth Primary School grounds and is thus only available during the
morning and evenings. There is a gate at the back of the school grounds
which has to be kept locked at other times. The school has plans to
fence the path off from the playing field, so that the public can
safely be allowed to use it. The rest of the route has a poorly
maintained path, past Glenwood special needs school, and through a
graffiti-scarred underpass beneath the railway and the A27. It then
runs across the recreation ground, where it needs improved designation
and lighting.
Underpass at end of Washington Road
Into Havant
The route to Havant needs little work. A safer crossing and proper
markings on the underpass near the A27 roundabout is needed although
the cycle path into Havant town is along the road and restricted in
places.
Conclusion
The Havant cycle plan seems to have stalled and needs to be kick
started with some new enthusiasm.