Rights of Way (ROW) Improvement Plan

Report on the Condition of public Footpaths and Bridleways

WALBERTON, BINSTED & FONTWELL ‘

The only types of rights of way in Walberton are Footpaths and Bridle ways. These are mainly used for three reasons, to get somewhere, for recreation, and for exercising dogs and horses. ’All these but particularly the first two, should be encouraged, among other things for health reasons and to allow people to expand their appreciation of the countryside. Thus it seems to me that our priorities should be to provide all our rights with “all weather” surfaces and keep them free from overgrown vegetation. Ideally there should always be a path alongside any road in Walberton.

 

Roads needing paths
The Street
Walberton to Barnham alongside Barnham Lane
Copse Lane junction alongside West Walberton Lane to Arundel Road
Yapton Lane
Eastergate Lane

New paths
A new path which could be useful is to create a link (ideally a cycle way) from the junction of Copse Lane with the A27, across to Tye Lane and onto Yapton Lane. There are people who cycle from Fontwell to this point and then have to cross and cycle on the A27 to continue towards Arundel.

Disabilities
The demand for more convenient access within the Rights Of Way network continues to rise and these paths are increasingly valued by many within the community as a recreational resource. To facilitate disabilities, wheel chairs/pushchairs, all our rights of way paths should have gates at each entrance and exit with “all weather” surfaces and keep free from overgrown vegetation. The replacement of stiles with gates, or the removal entirely of such structures; would surely depend upon the landowner giving permission. In addition to widening access opportunities to more potential users, I believe this would benefit all path users by increasing their convenience of access.

Current State of Rights of Ways
It was decided that we seek the communities’ views on the state of the local network and find its major users, by producing a brief questionnaire. This has been entered in the Parish Plan which once printed will be circulated throughout the village.

Improvements needed
338 Old Scotland Lane, could provide a valuable cycle link with Arundel but would need much work to be carried out. The section between paths 3400 and 347 is very water logged. Path 347 is temporarily closed by WSSC due to a burst water main. This has been like this for over a year now. The 338 path in this area has to be bypassed through the woods, parallel to 338, by pedestrians wishing to use this path. After contact with WSCC, concerning the state of the Old Scotland Lane path I have been informed that the Walberton, Binsted and Fontwell area is due a review in January 2006.

Bridleways
Bridleways 338 Old Scotland Lane, could provide a valuable cycle link with Arundel but would need much work to be carried out. It is very water logged between paths 3400 and 347 Path 347 is temporarily closed by WSSC due to a burst water main. This has been like this for over a year now. The 338 path in this area has to be bypassed through the woods by pedestrians wishing to use this path. After consultation with various horse riders in the area covering the three main bridleways concern was expressed with the lack of visibility at junctions caused by overgrown vegetation and fast traffic.

After discussions with horse riders the following investigations were carried out and found to be wanting.

Bridleway 392, the Copse Lane/A27 junction, is particularly dangerous because vision is reduced by approximately 25 meters blocking the view of traffic coming from the east. The same problem exists on the opposite bridleway coming from the north.

Bridleway 2825, access is along London Road through the A27 underpass and into Slindon Wood. Leaving the underpass and crossing Duke’s Lane on the north side of the tunnel, is vet dangerous, to horses, riders and pedestrians due to the restricted visibility of fast traffic coming off the A27 into Duke’s Lane.

Bridleway 336/397, is very dangerous, to horses, riders and pedestrians due to the restricted visibility of fast traffic travelling east on the A27.

Bridleway 347/3 86, is very dangerous, to horses, riders and pedestrians due to the restricted visibility of fast traffic travelling east on the A27. Path 347 is temporarily closed by WSSC due to a burst water main.

 
New Routes
There appears to be a requirement for a path from the junction of Arundel Road and London Road down to Wandleys Lane, through Wandleys Farm or Woodfield Farm to Wandleys Copse, through the Nurseries and Brookfield Farm to Walberton Green. A circular route could be made by leaving the village at the village green, going up Copse Lane up to Arundel Road to the beginning of the new path as detailed above.
From Eastergate Lane turn south between the Nursery and Stoney Brook Farm, continue south, bypassing North Choller Farm, continue parallel to Banham Lane. Turn left between

Path        Access Code^#           From                              To                                 

318                                          Walberton Lane               Barnham Road
326        1,5,7,8,10,11,12,13   St. Marys Church             East of Barnham
327        1,5,7,8,10,11,12,13   Lychgate                         Barnham
328        1,3,7                          The Meadows                  Yapton Lane  
330                                          East of Barnham              South
332        1,5,7,8                       Barham Lane                   Lychgate
333        1,13                           Car Park                          Yapton Lane
334        1,2,8,10,11,12,13      Village Green                    West Walberton Lane
335        1,6,10,11,12,13         Hilton Hotel                      Hedgers Hill
336        1,3,9,11,12,13           Binsted Lane                    A27
337        1,6,10,11,12,13         Hedgers Hill                      Binsted Lane

338  BW 1,6,8,9,10,11,12,13   Binsted Lane                    Tortington
340        1,8,10,11,12,13         Binsted Lane                    A27 Havenwood Park
341        1,8,10,11,12,13         Mill Ball                            Old Scotland Lane
342        1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13   From 431                        Arundel P School
347        1,10,11,12,13            Arundel P School              A27
354        1,10,11,12,13            Binsted Lane (Oakley C)   Binsted Lane
355        1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13   Binsted Lane (Oakley C)   South
355/1     1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13   Marsh Farm                     Hoe Lane
361        1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13   Hoe Lane                        Tortington Manor
365        1,2,6,8,10,11,12,13   Hoe Lane                        South
386  BW                                   A27 Tree Nursery            A29 Madehurst
388                                          A27 (3400 cont)             Joins 386
397                                          A27 (336 cont)               Chichester Lodge

 

^#Codes