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New Bridleway Links Heathfield
to Thriplow |
| by Webmaster
21/05/10 - 21:05
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You may have heard the noise of
diggers and trucks in the fields between Thriplow and
Heathfield recently. This is the start of works to
construct a new Bridleway linking the two communities by
the shortest route. The Parish Council and KWS are each
part-funding Russell Smith Farms to lay a concrete path
(at least 2m wide but typically 2.7m wide) for use by
pedestrians and cyclists, it will also be useful for
kiddies scooters and prams. Alongside this path will be
at least 2m of grass verge for use by horse riders. The
money comes from Section 106 funds received from the
developers of Heathfield some years ago.
The new route utilises the existing footpath from Church
Street to the KWS yard. Then it veers left alongside the
field edge to cross the brook by a new bridge. There is
a right turn through what used to be scrubland to join
up with the old footpath between Heathfield and the
fishing ponds, then the Bridleway skirts the edge of the
Public Open Space until it joins up with the path that
links into Kingsway. The Heathfield Residents
Association have given their approval for users of the
Bridleway to have "permissive use" of the private
Kingsway road until they reach the public network at
either Heathfield Way or Hurdles Way. Of course, the
Public Open Space can also be used to access
Pepperslade. The existing routes from Church Street to
the KWS yard and from the Public Open Space to the Drift
past the fishing ponds, will both be upgraded from
Footpath status to Bridleways.
This new route will mean shorter journey times between
the two communities and importantly will open up a new
network of loops for horse riders, cyclists and walkers.
Together with The Drift (from Church St to the fishing
ponds and onto Whittlesford) and the existing footpath
from Ringstone to the KWS yard, there will now be a
number of options for circular walks from either
Heathfield or Thriplow. The KWS yard will be by-passed
with another extra Bridleway section and the yard will
become off-limits to the public for Health and Safety
reasons. We will unfortunately have to spend some money
to ensure that cars cannot find a way onto the new
Bridleways.
The work is expected to take a few months to complete
but we hope the new route will be usable by the
summertime school holidays. The Parish Council will then
be erecting wayposts and signage along the way to guide
and inform people of the countryside they are passing
through. |
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