Access
Access Proposals Document --> click here
Associated Documents and References for "Access Proposals" document are available for download here
The main references used were the following:-
1. Guidance_For_Motorcycles_On_Towpaths.pdf – A British Waterways document in association with the Fieldfare Trust (countryside accessibility charity). Very useful and informative but be aware our situation is slightly different (eg we don’t have horse drawn boats and tow paths are flat). If you only have time to read one document read this one. The photo of a cyclist negotiating a barrier unconventionally is particularly interesting !
2. Sustrans Guidance.pdf – Sustrans is a cycle access campaign group and this document is dated (1998).
3. Nottinghamshire Barriers.pdf - A Nottinghamshire Council report on barriers in that County – includes photos of barriers.
4. Motorcycle Barriers Demo Event – Nottingham Council demo day of various barriers and the results of a survey of various users that day.
5. Motorcycle_barriers.pdf – A Haringey Council document with photos of barriers.
Other web sites and web documents were used, in all cases an assessment of the reliability of the information was made based on the standing of the organisation.
Below are photos of current official access points to the woods.
Dryburgh Cresent East Entrance
These photos shows boulders around the bypass of this entrance with a fixed post maximum gap is 0.93m. There is a gap in the boulders which is sufficient to get a car or van into the woods, and evidence that this has happened.
This photo shows two boulders part way along the path between Dryburgh Cresent entrances, one of which has been moved. Usable path width 1.0m
Dryburgh Crescent West Entrance
Two views of this entrance with no barriers or restrictions, maximum width 1.85m
Ham House Entrance
The main entrance from Ham Drive, the large boulder, granite and concrete post combine to demonstrate that no vehicles are allowed gap 1.05m wide. The posts and boulders are set about 1m down from the gateposts and the gap between the shorter granite post and the gatepost in the right hand photo has a gap of 1.45m, albeit with a 90mm kerb.
Photos showing a ring of boulders on the access from Tewksbury Ave, the gaps are sufficient to allow disabled access, the number and arrangement demonstrate that vehicles are not permitted, although many of the gaps are easily wide enough for bikes. Note in the right photo the offset boulder gives a gap of 1.5m
Abbottsbury Way Entrance
Abbotsbury Way entrance which is split into two paths, neither have any barriers
West Ham Lane (junction with Mowhay Road)
The middle post is not fixed and can easily be removed and the gallows gate opened to it’s fullest extent. It is obviously not as originally intended. The current gap is 0.9m. In this case, there is an open invitation to bikers and for car access, whereas, a disabled person requiring 1.2m width may not be able to remove the post and gain access.
Mowhay Road Entrance
The entrance from Mowhay Road towards Weston Mill green lane, the gate from part way down Mowhay Road up into the woods and the access from the Weston Mill bypass to the far end of Mowhay road. The bypass gate is not locked and left open. The path in the second photo is steep and the first part is rocky it is unsuitable for disabled access and has been bypassed. At the Weston Mill Road end of Mowhay road, tyres tracks were visible.
East Ham Lane Entrance
The first photo above show the upper barrier and kissing gate to Ham Lane, these have not been bypassed and are effective. The gap for entering the gate is 0.88m, the gap inside the gate is 0.75m. It is probably possible to get a small push chair through and may be possible to get a small electric wheelchair through but the dimensions are considerably smaller than those recommended. The second photo shows the lower gate to Ham Lane having been bypassed, the bypass blocked by a boulder and this then bypassed – probably by cyclists. The boulders at the east end of Ham drive in the third photo with the post which is removable and prevents cars accessing the short length of lane to the top barrier (about 50m). The gap between the post and the closest boulder is 0.84m
The first photo shows both gates and the boulders from Fountain Crescent. The second photo is a close up of those boulders.
Weston Mill Bypass entrance to Weston Mill green lane
The gate provides access to the area of rough ground outside the Nature Reserve, the boulders further stop car access. The bypass of the boulders and the gate clearly show tyre marks and are no deterrent to bikes. The third photo shows the access from Weston Mill green lane to the old stables, the lug on the gallows gate has been cut off making it impossible to lock this gate.
'Bestways' Entrance
The “Bestways” entrance, from the first photo you can see the concrete ‘kerb’ projecting about 150mm high. The photo on the right shows that this kerb is easily bypassed by crossing the entrance to the nearby factory as the fence is missing for at least 30m (and is then in a state of disrepair).
The 'Bakery' Entrance
The gate at the Bakery entrance, this appears to be a kissing gate with the central part missing, the remaining cage part has bars further restricting access. This provides access to a path currently unsuitable for disabled / push chair access but allows access to the upper lever of the woods for bikes.
Honicknowle Lane Entrance
This access is open to all and is 3.2m wide, the new bridges (one is just visible in the background) are 1.2m wide. The black bridge / walkway has a 1.1m walkway width.