Route 3 - the Hale Trail
Route 3 - the Hale Trail
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Route 3, the Hale Trail, is an off-road route that starts on Route 2 in the
south east corner of Farnham Park
. It follows the eastern edge of the Park, across
a stream
then through a
short stretch of wood
. Following the eastern edge of the park, the path
passes the end of Oast House Lane
, continuing
up to the Hale Green park exit
. It should provide the residents of Hale with a pleasant, safe,
convenient route into the town centre, via Route 2, avoiding the heavy
traffic on the Upper Hale Road (A3016) and Six Bells Roundabout.
The Cycle Rights Network (Farnham)
has proposed an extension from the top of Route 3 across to Heath End where
it would join the Weybourne Way (Route 2 extension). Leaving Farnham
Park at the Hale Green exit, Route 3 would continue right, following Parkside
and Nutshell Lanes to the Upper Hale Road (A3016).
Crossing the Upper Hale Road with a right turn followed almost immediately
by a left turn brings cyclists into Heath Lane. A right turn into Bethel
Road and right again at the top into Alma Way would then take cyclists to
Alma Lane and the trafffic light controlled crossing of the A325.
The main length of Route 3 was completed in 1999 / 2000 but was never officially opened as a cycle route because it was not built to a standard suitable for mixed use. The path was constructed just 1.3m wide and has vertical edges with up to 15 cm drops both sides into sodden ground. Being very popular with walkers, the path is hazardous and awkward to cycle at its current width. Hopefully this will be remedied by widening the path, perhaps with an unobtrusive run-over strip of grass paving.
The proposed extension of the Hale Trail to Heath End requires little more than signage along quiet residential roads. Work to add cycle lanes at the Alma Lane / A325 traffic lights is already being considered by Surrey County Council. The only other area of significant work would be to add traffic calming adjacent to the short section along the Upper Hale Road between the Nutshell Lane and Heath Lane junctions.
