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Sustrans and the National Cycle Network - a brief history
The origins of the National Cycle Network (NCN) can be traced back to the significant date of July
7th 1977 (7/7/77), when a group of Bristol based environmentalists, driven by a desire to do something about the dangers to the environment highlighted by the recent oil crisis, set up a group called Cyclebag (Cycle Bristol Action Group). Within two years they had started a programme of building cycle routes that continues unabated, but on a vastly increased scale, into the new millennium.
Sustrans (an abbreviated form of Sustainable Transport) evolved from the early Cyclebag when it became necessary to set up a
charitable company to take ownership of land, provide consultancy, and to build cycle routes on a large scale.
Then on 11 September 1995, Sustrans won the lottery! A millennium commission award of £43.5 Million really started to bring
the Sustrans vision of a National Cycle Network into being. This award has been added to by local authorities, central government, and many other partners, so that by now expenditure on the NCN has easily exceeded
£200 Million.
The main aim of the NCN is to popularise cycling and so get large numbers of people to cycle for many of their journeys. The
UK has a large number of cycles per household but amongst the lowest levels of cycle use in Europe. The NCN aims to help change that by providing routes that are suitable for novices (such as children and adults
who've not cycled recently) so that they are encouraged to cycle.
The original, and probably still best known, Sustrans project was the Bristol and Bath Cycle Path. This entailed conversion
of a previously derelict railway formation. The project took many years, and even now is being developed to cope with its success. The most recent usage counts indicate about 1.7 Million journeys a year on this
path, about half being by cycle although many shorter journeys are by pedestrians. The smooth traffic free surface is also much appreciated by wheelchair users. It is the classic Sustrans path, with high levels of
use resulting in more investment, so higher standards, and in turn more use. It is just such a virtuous circle that the NCN emulates.
The other main Sustrans projects at the moment are safe routes to schools, rural travel initiatives, safe routes to
stations, and the guardianship of disused railways.
If you'd like more details about Sustrans contact the public information line on 0117-929-0888, or visit the website at www.sustrans.org.uk . As the routes near completion, Sustrans will publish maps as part of its national series. For now, the best way to check on open sections is on the website, where you'll find the current maps with the ability print out sections that you are interested in.
The Routes in Dorset
Route 2 - The South Coast
This will run from Bodmin to Dover, entering Dorset just north of Lyme Regis near Monkton Wyld. It is mostly along quiet
country lanes passing through the West Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) encompassing parts of the Marshwood Vale and the Bride Valley. The route is already signed as far as the outskirts of
Dorchester, and spurs are planned to the coast at Lyme Regis, Charmouth, and West Bay.
From Dorchester, the route will be via Wool and the Sandbanks Ferry to Poole, with spurs to Wareham and Corfe Castle. The
sections through Poole and Bournemouth are largely in place, but improvements are being planned and signing is not yet complete. The whole route through Dorset is due for completion by 2005.
Route 25 - Poole to Bath via Blandford Forum, Stourhead, Longleat, and Frome.
This proposed route holds great attractions, including access to Wimborne Minster, Kingston Lacey, the Georgian town of
Blandford Forum, and the picturesque town of Shaftesbury with its Abbey and Gold Hill.
It will provide a traffic free environment over much of its length including the Holes Bay Cycleway and the Castleman
Trailway. The proposed North Dorset Trailway along the formation of the Somerset and Dorset railway line matches the intentions for the NCN rather neatly, and it is hoped that this Trailway is implemented and it
will then be incorporated as part of route 25.
The route from Gillingham to the border with Wiltshire is already open, and the section from Wimborne Minster to Blandford
Forum is now being planned in detail, with the local authorities hoping to open it during 2002/2003. Some of the southerly sections are also open at interim status, with improvements planned for the future.
Route 26 - Portland Bill to Longleat via Yeovil and Sherborne.
The Rodwell Trail in Weymouth was the first section of this route to open, and provides an excellent traffic free ride, with
wonderful views over the sea towards Portland. Leaping to the north, the section from Maiden Newton to Southover was opened during summer 2001, and the route within Dorset from Dorchester to Sherborne should be
signed during spring 2002. Some of this route will be opened at interim standard until further works are completed during 2002/2003.
The Network in Dorset - a true partnership project
The NCN forms the main element of Dorset County Council's commitment to encouraging cycling. It
aims to encourage local people to cycle for both leisure and utility journeys, while also providing well signed routes for visitors.
Whilst the County Council takes the lead in developing the Network, the project is a partnership with active involvement and
financial support by associated local authorities. These include West Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, and East Dorset District Councils, and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Within the County of Dorset, Poole,
Bournemouth, and Christchurch Borough Councils have their own plans for the NCN. Funding is by these local authorities and several external sources such as landfill tax and the Regional Development Agency. For
'off-road' sections, the Dorset Countryside Service works closely with the other partners. Meanwhile, Sustrans provides support in many forms, including land negotiations, a network of volunteer rangers who report
on the routes, advice on standards, and overall coordination of the NCN.
The route deliberately passes through or close to many villages and hamlets, so providing easy access to facilities,
especially for refreshment stops, but also for other services such as guest houses and visitor attractions. In many parts of the United Kingdom the Network has provided the dual benefit of a noticeable income
for local services, and encouraging travel by non-polluting means.
Within Dorset, the NCN will make use of a wide range of quiet country lanes, bridleways, traffic-calmed roads, and some
shared foot/cycle paths.
A route opening in West Dorset
31st August 2001 saw the culmination of 3 weeks work by Sustrans volunteers, when local cyclists and other guests attended the opening of the Maiden Newton to Southover section, a key off-road link of route 26. This work was jointly funded by Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council, with Andy Elliott, the local Dorset Countryside Service Ranger coordinating the work on the bridleway section.
John Grimshaw, Sustrans Director, presided over the opening ceremony, where John Peake and Mary Penfold (Chairs of
Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council respectively) unveiled a fossil tree milepost positioned to overlook the river Frome.
The fossil tree is one of a series of mileposts along the NCN. This one, designed by John Mills, depicts the passage of time
from early primitive creatures to the ultimate demise of fossil fuel driven technology. Fixed to the milepost is a time trail disc. These mysterious symbols, based on the theme of time, are part of a national
treasure hunt designed to "add another dimension to your journeys along the NCN"! The only person who knows the answer to the Mystery of Time is Charlie Harrow, the Time Trail artist.
DCV work on Sustrans land at Maiden Newton
As part of its guardianship of disused railways, around 450 miles of railway formation are owned
by Sustrans. This leads to responsibility for over 700 bridges and some 40 viaducts. Sustrans Civil Engineers are supported by a network of volunteers who report on the state of the various structures, and these
volunteers are often able to help with minor maintenance work.
On 23 & 24 February 2002, DCV will be working on the Sustrans owned section of the old Bridport branch line at Maiden
Newton. We've been asked to remove vegetation from two bridges to reduce damage to the pointing, and to do some vegetation clearance and coppicing for Dorset Countryside Service who manage the public access and
nature conservation aspects of the site.
Sustrans has a part time (1 day a week) manager in Dorset, DCV member Gareth Morgan. He can be contacted on 07966-204899
or emailed at garethm@sustrans.org.uk <mailto:garethm@sustrans.org.uk>.
Some questions and answers about the National Cycle Network in Dorset
1. What is an 'interim status' route?
It's a section that is open, but does not yet fully meet the required standards for the NCN. It could be that improvements
are planned to signing, surfaces, access controls, or traffic management.
2. Why are access controls that get in the way of cyclists used?
The policy is to minimise the use of access controls. However, where the route is along a bridleway farmers will sometimes
need gates and/or cattlegrids to control livestock. In urban areas, on traffic free sections, there is often a need to prevent access by motorcycles. In practice, the best method of preventing inappropriate use is a
high level of legitimate use, and as routes become more popular access controls in urban areas can be removed or reduced.
3. What do the National Cycle Network signs look like?
The basic standard is a white number on a red background, used in conjunction white cycle on a blue background. Newer signs
also include the NCN logo.
4. Can I help look after the route near my home?
Yes, most definitely. Local volunteers are an essential part of the NCN philosophy. Depending on your location, you might
keep an eye on signs, help keep off-road sections clear, or comment on proposals for the route. If you are interested, phone the Sustrans public information line on 0117-929-0888, and ask for details of the
volunteer ranger scheme.
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