A good
mix of interested parties from both Woodhall Spa, Roughton and
Horncastle attended this meeting, including those who live near
the route, horse riders, cyclists and walkers. Also in attendance
were representatives from Horncastle, Roughton and Woodhall Spa
Parish Councils, East Lindsey District Council (ELDC - Councillors
Aron and Newton) and Lincolnshire County Council (LCC - Councillor
Clarke). The meeting was also supported by Mary Powell (Lincolnshire
Waterways Partnership), Jonathan Stockdale (LCC - Pathways Officer),
Andy Ratcliffe (LCC - Highways Officer) Allyson Ingamells (ELDC)
and Nicola Jones (Sustrans).
Organiser
and chairman Samantha White outlined what she hoped the meeting
would achieve (i.e. demonstrate public support and the need for
a feasibility study for an upgrade to be undertaken, in recognition
that this was a well used route, but not currently accessible for
all). She explained that the route in question was the track bed
of the former Woodhall Spa to Horncastle branch line. The section
between Thornton Lodge and Sandy Lane was currently owned by LCC,
known as the Spa Trail and deemed suitable for cycles, walkers
and horse riders. The remainder was under private ownership, so
a feasibility study would have to consider the options for recreating
a continuous link. A feasibility study would also need to include
an ecological study to ensure wildlife habitats were protected/improved
because parts of the trackbed were designated as a Site of Nature
Conservation Importance (SNCI). It was also suggested that that
for an upgrade to be successful the centres of Woodhall Spa and
Horncastle would have to be linked up.
 Samantha
invited the LCC, ELDC and Sustrans officers to each give an short
presentation of their work and how it could help the project.
Mary Powell
(LWP) presented a selection of photographs of the now open Lincoln
to Bardney Lock section of the 'Water Rail Way' . The 'Water Rail
Way' is based on the former Great Northern Railway - Boston to
Lincoln line.
Nicola
Jones (Sustrans) provided an insight into the work currently being
carried out to convert sections of the Boston to Lincoln line into
a cycle, walk.and bridle way (the route should extend to Kirkstead
Bridge from Lincoln in the near future). She also outlined the
potential for re-linking the Woodhall Spa to Horncastle branch
line to it at Kirkstead and thus onto the national network of Sustrans
routes. She stated that a feasibility study was the relatively
cheap part of the project! Although railway track beds are flat
it can be quite a long process to get the construction right. Nicola
also spoke of the positive impact existing routes have had on the
areas in which they are situated. She was also able to reassure
the audience that annual usage figures of say 15,000 people was
in reality only a steady trickle not a stampede, because it averaged
out to 1 person every 15mins during a 10 hour daily period.
Allyson
Ingamells spoke of ELDC’s commitment to sustainable transport,
health and increasing community involvement in physical activity.
Allyson also informed the meeting that the local plan protected
disused railway lines for exactly this kind of activity, so it
fitted in well with ELDC’s policies. She was able to provide
the meeting with a 'ball park' figure of what a feasibility study
was likely to cost - approx £15K.
Jonathan
Stockdale (LCC) saw this as an opportunity to improve the route
in terms of its ecological value, acknowledging that the line could
be managed better and stating that he had himself been thinking
about possible options of how to link up the Spa Trail section
to Woodhall Spa and Horncastle respectively
Samantha
then invited questions and comments from the floor. There was healthy
participation and it provided a good insight into opinions on the
existing route, particularly from members of the public who lived
close to it and/or used it ( horse riders and cyclists). It was
agreed unanimously that the route was well used, even though some
sections were difficult to negotiate.
Items
discussed:
Why change it? - it’s fine how
it is - The counter argument being - why should it
only be accessible to a few, surely it should be accessible
for all. Currently pre-schoolers on bikes, pushchairs and wheelchair
users cannot access it and in some places even mountain bikes
would find it a struggle. A consultation and/or feasibility
study would resolve these questions. by the end of the discussion
period everyone agreed something needed to happen.
Problems for local residents
Concerns
were expressed that an upgraded path/track might could attract
trouble makers, noise, disturbance and car parking problems. Reassurances
were given that these sort of problems were unlikely and were not
the experience of those living close to comparable Sustrans routes.
Car parking problems may in fact be reduced as people would be
encouraged to start from home rather than drive to where the Spa
Trail currently starts. A feasibility study and planning permission
would look at these issues and address concerns.
Dangerous
Roads
The Horncastle
to Woodhall Spa road was far too dangerous, so the Spa Trail bridleway
was extremely important to horses and riders. The same can be said
for cycles and walkers, which is why it is imperative to look at
safe routes for everyone. Again the feasibility study would look
at the user and ensure that future plans were fully inclusive.
Maintenance
A well
used route is more likely to be well maintained. Bids for funding
would have to take into account maintenance costs and ensure there
was a long term commitment.
The pros and cons of various surfaces was discussed ie. tarmac, grass,
hardcore etc
Two cycling
enthusiasts, with more than 130 years experience between them,
outlined how beneficial cycle routes were to all.
Reassurance
came from several individuals attending the meeting that all comments
(for and against) were important if a feasibility study was to
be effective. To attract funding the feasibility study has to be
robust, as funders are alert to projects that simply don’t
add up.
Councillor
Clarke suggested that the consultation could be carried out ahead
of the feasibility study.
A vote
was then taken on whether those present felt a feasibility study
should be undertaken, Unanimous support was shown, even by those
that had concerns about how an upgrade would affect them. This
was a very positive start to the project and gave a clear indication
to ELDC and LCC officers that the public wish to see this route
being looked at.
At this
point the meeting was closed. Details of further meetings will
be advertised in the local press and on this website. A web page
will be dedicated to the project and this will contain meeting
agendas and minutes. Meetings, will hopefully, alternate between
Horncastle and Woodhall Spa.
A number of people representing users of the Spa Trail came forward
and said they would like to be part of a working group.
NB
If anyone, who was unable to attend the meeting, would like to be
on the working group then please contact Samantha White on 01507
524275 (email: samanthawhite01@hotmail.com)
With the
tremendous support from LCC officers and the first step of the
consultation process started we are sure the funding for the feasibility
study can be found.
Samantha
White (Chairperson & Secretary)
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Arts
& Crafts
Walk, cycle or ride the Spa Trail on 3 miles of flat, surfaced path/bridleway along the mid-section of the old Horncastle to Woodhall Junction railway line and part of the Horncastle Canal.
Walkers can continue by public footpath into Woodhall Spa and Horncastle.
The Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership has secured funding to improve the Spa Trail between Sandy Lane at Woodhall Spa and Thornton Lodge Farm at Horncastle. 
