Across the river yeo via Tutshill EAR....

26 January 2012

85 people came to a meeting in Clevedon for supporters of the Clevedon and Weston Cycle Route, hosted by Transition Clevedon. Steve Kinsella, a volunteer campaigner for the national cyclists’ organisation CTC, who lives close to the link, explained how the project stood:

After many years of opposition, the Tutshill link has now become planning and transport policy. Since September 2011 John Grimshaw has been negotiating with the 6 or 7 landowners or agencies involved. Steve explained that the fields and existing tracks are used for a dairy herd with frequent animal movements, and by farm machinery. In the parish councils there seems to have been discomfort about people using a minority form of transport. The water agencies have been concerned that their management of the sluices might be affected.

At the date of the meeting no firm agreements had been reached.

Steve said that there are several ways a route at Tutshill can be established. A “permissive path” is a voluntary permit that the landowner can revoke or change. Adding a lease gives a stronger legal basis. Council officers are discussing whether to propose a voluntary agreement or take statutory means, of which their preference may be a bridleway (which can be used by horses as well as cyclists and walkers). There are other legal alternatives the council could take - a restricted byway or a cycletrack. Aside from a complete failure to reach a voluntary agreement, it could happen that an agreement is proposed with conditions that are so restrictive that the link would be unusable for many people, for instance because of poor surfaces or multiple and difficult barriers.

Campaigners need to make clear what is acceptable, and must watch that the council does not lose interest and fail to take the necessary steps to a final legal and rideable route. Supporters at the meeting had many interesting comments and questions.

A campaign group could publicise the route and bring in wider support, and lobby our politicians. The group would think up ideas for getting media attention, for appealing to younger age groups and to cyclists and walkers who are not in clubs or groups. There was also interest in horse riding. We need to use Facebook and Twitter.

The objectives of a campaign would be to get a permanent legal route opened that is suitable for cycling to work, for shopping, for families, and for touring. Commuters will want to keep clean in all weathers, and others will need to carry heavy loads. Families may be using trailers, tagalongs, trikes, or tandems. If conditions are good, people will be encouraged to cycle. We need a tarmac surface and a route that is free of obstructions and hazards.

At the same time we must consider the impact on farmers. A team of Sustrans rangers would be ready to help ensure gates are secured and address any difficulties that might arise in usage. Rangers will be aware of any impacts on farm work and on wildlife in the adjacent site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Experience on other parts of the National Cycle Network tells us that after a route is opened landowners find that their fears are not realised, and cyclists and walkers pass unnoticed. Rupert Crosbee of Sustrans outlined how Sustrans rangers operate. At the close of the meeting some 32 people enlisted to a core campaign group and about 24 as rangers - a very creditable level of interest that demonstrates the support for this route.

14 January
Supporters are being invited to a meeting on 26 January.
Over 350 people have signed up as supporters on this website.

19 December
We now have well over 200 signed up supporters. A supporters meeting is being planned.

20 November 2011
Things are moving on. North Somerset Council has appointed John Grimshaw to negotiate and deliver the Tutshill project. As most of you will know John was founder and CEO of Sustrans, and now works independently. John is a very experienced and skilled negotiator so this is really good news. Tutshill is the name of the sluices over the River Yeo - the short missing link that still has several private land owners.