The Cycling City revealed further adjustments to the plan for a cycle ramp through Wickham Glen at the Snuff Mills AGM. This artist's impression gives a good idea of the changes. These were:• The exit on the Blackberry Hill would be in the same style as the current exit on to Frome Terrace
• Some additional steps would be taken to ensure the exit on to Blackberry Hill is as safe as possible
• There would be no fencing along the pathway
• A woodland environment would be recreated with sensitive planting
• The damage to the rest of the path through Wickham Glen, caused by the construction work, would be repaired with a dust and stone path no wider than the existing path
• Bollards would be placed at the entrance to the new path to prevent vehicular access
Snuff Mills Action Group still has serious concerns about this scheme. these relate to:
• The safety of pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists exiting on to an accident blackspot on Blackberry Hill
• The likelihood of conflicts between cyclists and other users occurring due to speeding downhill along a smooth path
• The changes to the character of Wickham Glen; a tranquil place in a Conservation Area
However, in view of these changes, we are reviewing our objection to the planning application and will be sending a statement to the Planning Committee in time for their meeting on 20th October. If you wish to let them have your views about this revised proposal email them at: democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk no later than noon on 19th October.
Update: Our final position on this matter, sent to the Councillors is appended as a comment.
4 comments:
Snuff Mills Action Group has objected to the proposal to build a ramp through Wickham Glen as part of proposals to create better access for cyclists through the area. Our reasons for objecting related to the high adverse impact of the current proposal on the character of Wickham Glen not being outweighed by the benefits of the current for all users.
Snuff Mills Action Group
Snuff Mills Action Group is the recognised park users’ group for Snuff Mills, Oldbury Court and Wickham Glen. We work to improve the area for all users and wildlife and campaign to protect and enhance the area. This has included raising nearly £50,000 of lottery money through the People’s Millions public vote to improve Snuff Mills for everyone and campaigning to save Grove Wood from creeping development and destruction by an unsympathetic landowner.
We have over 250 supporters who are either resident in the local community or are regular users of the greenspaces in the area. Our supporters are diverse, including families, older people, people with disabilities and cyclists.
Status and character of Wickham Glen
Wickham Glen is an attractive and tranquil area of natural greenspace next to the River Frome, forming an extension of Eastville park, providing a natural greenway, linking Eastville with Stapleton and beyond. The Glen is located in the Stapleton Conservation Area. One of the unique characteristics which led to this designation is the amount of high quality greenspace around Stapleton. Wickham Glen is also a Site of Nature Conservation Importance as well as public open space.
The Glen is a historic place with links to the Civil War. It known to be home to protected species including kingfishers and bats and visitors enjoy the natural surroundings and feeling of being in a rural location.
Our original reasons for objecting were:
1. A 3m width of path was not required
2. Gradient and design was not appropriate for wheelchair users
3. Current proposed exit point was not wheelchair friendly
4. No provision for safe crossing of Broom Hill
5. Alternative routes were available
6. A better scheme was possible
With regard to the last point, Snuff Mills Action Group proposed that the current scheme could be improved by:
• Reducing the width of the ramp to 2-2.5m
• The ramp should exit at the current path exit point by Frome Terrace
• The materials for facing and surfacing the ramp should be sympathetic with the character of the Conservation Area.
The revised application by the Cycling City Team goes some way to improving the scheme. It proposes to reduce the width of the path to 2.5m. At a presentation by Nick Pates of the Cycling City Team given at the Snuff Mills Action Group AGM, he also stated that the new proposal would also deliver these changes:
• The exit on the Blackberry Hill would be in the same style as the current exit on to Frome Terrace
• Some additional steps would be taken to ensure the exit on to Blackberry Hill is as safe as possible
• There would be no fencing along the pathway
• A woodland environment would be recreated with sensitive planting
• The damage to the rest of the path through Wickham Glen, caused by the construction work, would be repaired with a dust and stone path no wider than the existing path
• Bollards would be placed at the entrance to the new path to prevent vehicular access
Mr Pates also explained that objections from the Environment Agency, because of flood risk, prevented the option of the ramp exiting by Frome Terrace along the existing public right of way being taken.
Snuff Mills Action Group still has serious concerns about this scheme especially:
• The safety of pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists exiting on to an accident blackspot on Blackberry Hill
• The likelihood of conflicts between cyclists and other users occurring due to speeding downhill along a smooth path
• The changes to the character of Wickham Glen; a tranquil place in a Conservation Area
However, on balance, we now regard the benefits of the scheme to slightly outweigh the disadvantages. We would therefore be willing to withdraw our objection if the Committee can gain a cast iron guarantee that:
• The exit on the Blackberry Hill will be in the same style as the current exit on to Frome Terrace
• The exit on to Blackberry Hill will be made as safe as possible
• There will be no fencing along the pathway through Wickham Glen
• A woodland environment will be recreated with sensitive planting and that Snuff Mills Action Group is consulted about this because we can advise on the right trees and shrubs
• The damage to the rest of the path through Wickham Glen will be repaired with a dust and stone path no wider than 2m, ideally 1.5m
• Bollards will be placed at the entrance to the new path to prevent vehicular access, made of timber or galvanised steel, painted black
• Sensitive signs, in keeping with the Conservation Area, will be put up to discourage cyclists from speeding
• The base of the ramp will be suitably tied into the resurfaced stone to dust path by means of a 5m long pennant stone surface or similar to be in keeping with the Conservation Area. This will aid in the protection of the end of the tarmac ramp and also help to reduce the uneven wearing of the stone to dust path due to the change in surfacing. It may also act as rumble strip to cyclists thus helping to reduce their speeds.
• The railings/fence along Blackberry Hill will be repaired and replaced with the same or similar fencing and painted black. The cycle track may not open until this has been done
Councillors approved the cycle path at their meeting, subject to some stringent conditions.
Thanks to everyone who supported this campaign. We hope that the Glen will not now be spoilt.
I still think the whole idea is crazy - this ramp was inspired not by a desire to improve access to this area of the park, but to enable the spending of a budget dedicated to cycling. These are two different objectives.
I guess it's no further use complaining about this. But I am simply amazed that the residents of the nearby cottages don't seem to have objected, based on possible impact on their homes.
One final thought: how will the "cast iron guarantees" be enforced? Remember that the only real reason that the Council had to seriously consult in the first place was because of the need for a planning application.....
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