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ITEM EX9 -
ANNEX 2
EXECUTIVE–
5 FEBRUARY 2003
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
OF THE SUSTRANS NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK
A summary
of the Sustrans Report – ‘The National Cycle Network in Oxfordshire –
A study of Possible Extensions and Improvements’
- The report includes
a comprehensive review of the Millennium NCN routes in Oxfordshire as
well as description of its possible extensions. The plan in Annex
1 (download as .doc file)
shows the possible extensions to the Millennium Routes discussed in
the Sustrans report. Sustrans had already identified the Thame – Oxford
– Witney – Lechlade alignment as a possible NCN route not only because
of the existence of the route between Princes Thame and Princess Risborough
but also because West Oxfordshire is an area of the County where there
is no Millennium Route. Sustrans are keen to build on the success of
the Phoenix Trail route by extending it through Thame and onwards to
Oxford and beyond into West Oxfordshire.
- The other two
main route alignments investigated in the report are Didcot to Wantage
(and onwards towards Swindon), and Oxford to Chipping Norton via Charlbury.
The route from Didcot to Wantage would follow the line of the dismantled
railway (owned by Sustrans) between Didcot and Upton, and then the Icknield
Way which goes right past the Harwell International Business Centre
(HIBC) which is one of the biggest rurally located employment sites
in Oxfordshire. Improving cycle links will help to reduce the growth
in car based commuting to HIBC.
- The details of
the three main extensions to the NCN in Oxfordshire are set out in the
full report. One of the reasons why these three routes were chosen was
because they would provide missing links from the existing NCN routes
in Oxfordshire to those in neighbouring counties. This would make the
NCN routes in Oxfordshire more attractive for leisure and tourism purposes
and as a result help to generate tourism income for the local economy.
- In total there
are approximately 35 miles of new route described in the report, 21
miles of which would be on existing rights of way. The sensitive improvement
of this very small proportion of Oxfordshire’s rights of way network
would fit in with County Council policy to increase and improve access
to the countryside by maintaining and improving the rights of way network
(Structure Plan policy R4).
- Countryside Services
were consulted accordingly and expressed general support for the proposals
set out in the Sustrans report where they would make use of rural rights
of way. Officers of the appropriate District Councils were also consulted
as were landowners where it was deemed to be appropriate (written responses
to the consultation are in the Members Resource Centre). Needless to
say, if any of the proposals were to be progressed through to implementation,
further and more detailed consultation would need to be carried out
and any views expressed taken into account.
Implementation
of the Extensions to the NCN
- The Executive
is being asked to approve the outline proposals for extensions to the
NCN in Oxfordshire and to authorise officers to work with Sustrans on
their further development including necessary consultation. Such work
would lead to the implementation of the routes subject to satisfactory
resolution of issues raised during consultation and adequate funding
being allocated in future capital programmes. The implementation of
each of the three main extensions is discussed below.
Didcot-Wantage
via Harwell IBC
- Work on this section
is well advanced, with some construction having already been completed:
this includes a stand alone scheme on the Icknield Way close to HIBC
using a combination of previously allocated LTP funds and a contribution
from UKAEA (the owners of HIBC). Subject to the availability of funds
and successful negotiation with landowners and Countryside Services,
good progress could be made towards completion of this section during
2003/04. It is estimated that approximately £250k is needed to complete
this route (a 50% County Council contribution would therefore amount
to £125k).
Thame-Oxford-Witney-Lechlade
- Planning for the
extension of the Phoenix Trail from Thame onwards to Oxford is well
advanced and some funding is already secured. The intention was always
to follow the line of the dismantled railway as closely as possible
although it is felt that such a route is a long term aim given the amount
of negotiation with private landowners that would be needed. The plan
in Annex 3 (download as .doc file)
shows a suitable alternative route along quiet country lanes off the
busy A418 via Shabbington, Worminghall, Waterperry and Wheatley.
- The first stretch
of this route is from the western edge of Thame as far as the A418 Shabbington
turn. The owner of the land over which the dismantled railway runs for
this stretch is implacably opposed to the use of this open farmland
for a cycle route. The only other possibility for the route is the construction
of a cycle track in the southern verge of the A418. For some of this
stretch, the available verge width is not sufficient for an adequately
wide track and non-highway land from the same landowner would need to
be acquired. The owner is similarly opposed to the use of a sliver of
land at the field edge. Given that there is no alternative, the Executive
is being asked to authorise the use of CPO powers to acquire the necessary
land to allow the construction of this vital stretch of cycle route.
This course of action will only be pursued should acquisition by agreement
not be achieved.
- Planning and negotiations
for the route from Oxford to the County boundary are less well advanced
although it is certainly possible that substantial completion of the
route could be achieved by the end of the 2005/06. This would, of course,
be subject to the results of consultations, successful negotiations
with landowners and the allocation of sufficient County Council funds.
It is estimated that approximately £270k is needed to complete the route
from Thame to Oxford. A further £580k would be needed for the route
beyond Oxford to the county boundary with Gloucestershire (total 50%
County Council contribution of £425k). Sustrans have already secured
approximately £180k towards the implementation of the Thame to Oxford
route.
Oxford-Charlbury-Chipping
Norton
- This is not considered
a route that can be pursued in the short term mainly due to the significant
use of public bridleways that is suggested. This would result in an
extensive period of consultation to establish which sections would be
locally acceptable. It may be necessary to search for alternative routes,
some of which may also require negotiations with landowners. An estimated
£590k would also be needed to complete this route. For these reasons,
it is recommended that priority should be given to the other two routes
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