Broadmarsh Cycle Route
Part of the National Cycle Network (route NCN22)
This project seeks to provide a safe and
effective alternative for cyclists using the main south coast
route, the A27. Between Broadmarsh, where the A27 joins the A3M,
and Portsbridge at Cosham, where the M27 starts, the road is three
or four lanes wide with traffic travelling at up to 70
mph
. It is therefore considered to be too
dangerous for cyclists and there have been a number of accidents.
The intention is to create a safe alternative route for cyclists,
segregated from the main road immediately to the south, and
extending through to Havant town centre. To the west the track
continues alongside the A27 via Farlington to Cosham and onwards
into Portsmouth.
Phase 1
The first section was opened to the public on
17th June 2005 in a ceremony attended by David Willetts,
MP for Havant, and
forms part of National Cycle Network route
NCR
22. In attendance for the opening
were Chris Davies of the Cycle Touring Club (Havant) - holder of
the world record for the greatest number of miles cycled by an
individual - Hampshire County Councillor Anne Buckley, and Guy
Beresford from the Highways Agency.
Photos of the opening ceremony are available
below - just click on a thumbnail image for it to open full size
(use your browser's "back" facility to return to this page
afterwards).
 |
David Willetts MP chats with Chris Davies and
others, meeting before the opening ceremony at Broadmarsh
(127
kb
). |
 |
David and Chris get ready to cut the tape, together with local
councillor Anne Buckley, and Guy Beresford from the Highways
Agency. The trees in the background hide the A3M and A27, the major
routes which the cycleway is designed to avoid (521
kb
). |
 |
David, Anne, Chris and Guy perform the actual opening
.... (594
kb
) |
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... and then it's off along the cycle track for its first
public use after opening. (360
kb
). |
Phase 2
Work started in January 2008 to build the next stage of the
cycleway. This provides a shared cycle path / footway on the south
side of Harts Farm Way between the Broadmarsh 'teardrop' junction
at the end of Phase 1 (above) and Southmoor Lane. The new shared
cycle path / footway was built by Caroway Contractors Ltd of
Rowlands Castle, and funded by Hampshire County Council to the tune
of £245,000. It was completed in June 2008.
This provides part of a traffic-free cycle route from Portsmouth
to Havant town centre via Cosham, Farlington and Broadmarsh,
avoiding the A27.
Details of its construction in progress can be seen below - just
click on a thumbnail image for it to open full size (use your
browser's "back" facility to return to this page afterwards).
 |
View westwards along Harts Farm Way in February 2008 showing
construction work for the new shared footpath / cycleway making
good progress (105
kb
). |
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View westwards along Harts Farm Way from the Hermitage bridge
in April 2008. The route is clearly defined and the formation of
the path is ready for surfacing (133
kb
). |
 |
View westwards at the west end of the new cycleway, 23rd May.
This end of the route is now almost completed (94
kb
). |
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View eastwards on 23rd May as the new cycleway approaches the
bridge over the Hermitage Stream. The gravel strip to the right of
the new path houses the drainage system (121
kb
). |
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View eastwards as the new cycleway passes the Recycling Centre
and the entrance to the Durkins construction depot. On 23rd May,
this section still has a few weeks' work before it is complete
(141
kb
). |
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Finally, the view westwards along Harts Farm Way at the end of
this section of the cycleway, as it meets Southmoor Lane. At this
point, the existing footpath is being widened. The Solent Way and
Wayfarers Walk long distance footpaths join the route from the left
(141
kb
). |
From Southmoor Lane eastwards, Brookside Road is provided with
cycle lanes. A footpath (intended to be upgraded to shared use)
crosses the northern edge of the Langstone Technology Park campus,
to join the main north-south route under the A27 and thence
allowing traffic-free access Havant town centre via the Solent Retail Park,
Park Road North and
the Central Retail Park subway to the station and the Hayling Billy
Trail.