Option E - Chilworth Link There is scope for completing the 'missing link' between the North Baddesley to Rownhams cycle route, and the cycle routes around Chilworth to the east. Above is a proposal using Rownhams Wood, and the roads on the Science Park at Chilworth. It would be along Forestry Commission land in the woods (A to C), then a short stretch on H.C.C. land at C. The cycling surface in the woods is suitable for cycling from A to just before B, but would need some improvement from there until it meets the road at D.

A - Start of the proposed route  C - the exit from the woods onto Hampshire County Council land

B - the point at which surface improvements would be required D - the exit point onto the road network on the Science Park

Last Updated 26/06/09

Comments:

Mike

I have been passed your enquiry concerning your interest in promoting cycling routes in the Forestry Commission woodlands in Rownhams Wood and Lordswood. I have noted your interest and proposals.

As you know the Forestry Commission is a significant supporter of cycling throughout the UK mainland, providing many cycling routes, networks and facilities and supporting events and activities. However the Forestry Commission Woodlands in the Southampton area are owned by others and leased to the Forestry Commission for the purpose of Forestry, (timber production). It is not possible for us to designate cycle routes within these woods, under the terms of our current lease.

There is also strong interest in these woods form other groups including horse riders and orienteers. Any designations would require careful consideration and integration with existing and other future uses of the woodlands and can only be made with the agreement of the landowner, and appropriate changes made to the lease. We are engaging with a number of bodies, including local authorities, to investigate ways in which we can broaden the use and increase the public benefits that we deliver on these sites. This process will inevitably take time.

As you may know there is extensive unofficial cycling activity in theses woods, including the provision of dangerous, unregulated and illegal excavations and constructions. I am very keen to see this curtailed and do not want to promote these activities. I am cautious about raising unrealistic aspirations or sending mixed messages to the public or our partners.

If you feel it would be useful to meet and explore these issues further, I am happy to do so, but I can not realistically envisage much progress in the immediate future due to the restrictions placed on us by our landlords.

Kind regards

Nick Hazlitt - Forester West Beat - 18/06/09

Another nice idea, particularly for leisure cycling. It would also link up with the very useful route, inexplicably classed as a footpath on the Definitive Map, running from The Clump (as was) down to Coxford Road.

John Heath  26/06/09