Greenways Scheme

Greenways are a network of largely car-free off-road routes connecting people to facilities and open spaces in and around towns, cities and to the countryside.

Watling Chase Community Forest: The Greenways Project

Greenways are important to encourage walking and cycling, on safe, high quality routes that cater for all needs, linking schools, work and leisure, as well as offering a sustainable transport alternative.

The Council promotes and develops Watling Chase Greenways, which was a national demonstration project initiated by the Countryside Agency, to provide an effective network of Greenways around the whole of Hertsmere borough.

How the Greenways Project works

A partnership was developed within the Watling Chase area to include a wide variety of organisations and individuals with an interest in all aspects of the Greenways initiative. This partnership ensures that key stakeholders are able to influence the development of the Watling Chase Greenways project.

This initial partnership led to the creation of a Steering Group to develop the project. Members of this steering group include representatives of walkers, cyclists and horse riders, all of whom have expertise and local knowledge essential to the successful development of the network.

The initiative tackles strategic issues such as delivering links where people need them, providing for shared use across groups such as equestrians, cyclists and walkers sourcing funding and promoting awareness and support for the concept. 

Having been a national demonstration project developed alongside national partners we have access to examples of good practice, knowledge and expertise developed nationally.

History of the Greenways project

The process was launched in January 1999 from which a community based Steering Group was established. The Steering Group has representatives from user groups, individuals and local organisations and the Borough and County Council.

A 'Swot' Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) was carried out by National Consultants of the Watling Chase Greenways Project, ajt. The assessment identified that:" An exciting opportunity exists to build upon the strengths of the Demonstration Area and create a strategic network of Greenways serving local needs that continues to be a model of good practice."

Scott Wilson Consultants conducted a demand assessment, which was a study to provide the hard facts as to the scale and nature of demand for Greenways from within the local community. The main demand is for leisure activities, with a weaker demand for commuting to work and school. It is estimated that there are 5 million walking trips and about 1 million cycling trips are made annually in the Borough. These figures illustrated the enormous potential for creating a good high quality network.

Where are we today?

19.7 km of the proposed network of 104 km have been created or improved since the start of the project in 1999.  This does not include the part of the network that existed at the start of the project. This is being considered as part of the current review of the Watling Chase Greenways Strategy to determine whether these routes still meet the Greenways standard of improved width and surface.

Dedicated Greenways sign plates have been approved by the Department of Transport and are being put up as routes are being improved/created and as funds allow. These signs make the routes more visible, accessible and identifiable for all users.

Pioneering road crossings have been installed including:

• the 'Cloverleaf' crossing of the A41 using the embankment of the M1(the first time in the country that non-motorised users have legally been allowed to use motorway verge which will set a precedent countrywide);
• a 'Pegasus'  traffic-lighted crossing for shared use by horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians (only the second one in Hertfordshire);
• a 'Dutch ford' crossing of a stream at the bottom of a steep gully approved by the Environment Agency (a new design in Hertfordshire that has now been picked up as a model of good practice by others).

This table shows the key Greenways routes developed from 1999 – 2006

Type	Location	Improved	Created	Length (m)
Right of way	Merryhill, Bushey.		X	1,000
	Tylers Farm, Bushey.		X	400
	Blackhorse Lane, South Mimms.		X	190
	Brookside, South Mimms.	X		2,040
	Shenley bridleway 13, Shenley.	X		1,300
	Packhorse Lane, Well End.	X		780
	Elstree Aerodrome, Hogg Lane.	X		542
	Crab Lane & Commonmeadow Lane, Adenham.	X		2,804
	Saffron Green Greenway, Galley Lane Arkley		X	680
	Blackbirds Lane & Aldenham bridleway 74, Kemp Row 504.	X		504
	Wash Lane, South Mimms.	X		300
Hertsmere Park route	Allum Lane Spinney, Borehamwood.	X		500
	Brook Meadow, Haggerston & Leeming Parks, Borehamwood.	X		820
	Parkfields, Borehamwood.	X		1,332
Highway	Blackhorse Lane, Shenley.	X		1,700
	Swanland Road, South Mimms.	X		1,800
Total				16,602   (10.3 miles)

The way forward

A Greenways Strategy was developed and published in 2003 for Watling Chase. This Strategy provides a 10-year vision for the project and identifies a proposed network of Greenways throughout the Borough and in Watling Chase Community Forest.

Hertsmere Council is reviewing the Greenways Strategy and is currently consulting with stakeholders and interest groups. Please follow this link to view the current (2003) Watling Chase Greenways Strategy.

We recognise that it will take many years to see a comprehensive Greenways network established but it is hoped that commitment from the Council and the Community will allow the vision to be achieved.

Contact us

If you would like further information on any Greenways related query, please contact Hertsmere Borough Council on

Tel: 0208 207 2277

Email: Greenways@hertsmere.gov.uk

Useful external Links:

• Sustrans 
• Hertfordshire County Council 
• Greenways 
• Bike Week web site - Events for cyclists
• Watling Chase Community Forest