The National Cycle Network project was the first Millennium Project to be awarded Lottery Funds. It is intended to be a high profile endeavour designed to persuade the British public that cycling is a thoroughly modern way of travelling  and a responsible way of moving into the next Millennium. 

 

Many of our neighbouring countries have five or ten times the level of cycling - our 2% in 1996 compares with 10% in Sweden with its more severe winters; 11% in Germany with its higher wealth; and 15% in Switzerland with its hiller terrain.

 

The very low levels of cycling in Britain are a consequence of the failure to make provision for cycling in transport policies over the last two generations with the result that cycling is very much more dangerous in Britain than in these other countries - for example it is ten times more dangerous mile for mile, or trip for trip, than in Denmark and perhaps not surprisingly the level of use here is only a tenth of theirs'.

 

In July 1996 the Government published its National Cycling Strategy document which aims to quadruple cycling over the next decade. This Strategy calls for 'road space (and time) to be reallocated from private vehicles to cyclists' and points out that 'cycling is a high quality way to enjoy the countryside and a good way to introduce people to cycling for everyday transport needs'. Havant Borough Council has its own local strategy.

 

The National Cycling Network (NCN) is a key component in this cycling strategy. It aims to provide each local authority with the opportunity to create a flagship project for the encouragement of those who generally don't cycle to start cycling again. To this end National routes should be safe and attractive for novice cyclists, should be useful for everyday journeys to work and school, and should be memorable such that the public is persuaded to cycle more frequently. To meet this ambition the NCN should reach from town centre to town centre wherever possible providing radial routes through the town for everyday journeys , links into the countryside for casual recreation and longer distance routes for tourism.

 

THE HAYLING BILLY TRAIL The Hayling Billy Trail from Fairfield Road to Langstone Ferry is highlighted as a strategic leisure route in the proposed Cycle Route Network, and is included as such in the Council's Cycling Strategy. The Hayling Billy Trail will link to the South Coast Cycle Route (SCCR) which is Route 2 of the NCN , and will form part of it in an option to route the SCCR via the Ferry rather than following a route down the eastern part of Portsea Island.   At present the high level of traffic on Langstone Bridge in effect truncates any possible journey by bicycle for all but the most experienced. Sustrans considers that the early completion of this route will demonstrate the popularity and potential for cycling in the area and will become the catalyst for wide ranging changes in transport practice for the benefit of local citizens and visitors alike.

The intention of the Hayling Billy Trail is to create one of the premier routes in England with the provision of: