Broadmarsh Cycle Route
Part of the National Cycle Network (route NCN2)
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.
Work is therefore under way to create a safe alternative route for
cyclists, segregated from the main road immediately to the south,
and ultimately extending through to Havant town centre.
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 2. 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).
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David Willetts MP chats with Chris Davies and
others, meeting before the opening ceremony at Broadmarsh
(127
kb
). |
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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
). |
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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 will provide 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 is being built by Caroway Contractors
Ltd of Rowlands Castle, and is funded by Hampshire County Council
to the tune of £245,000. It will be complete by June.
This will then provide a traffic-free cycle route from
Portsmouth to Havant town centre, avoiding the A27.
Details of its construction will be placed on this page as work
progresses - 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
). |
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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 long
distance footpath joins the route from the left (141
kb
). |
From Southmoor Lane eastwards, Brookside Road is already
provided with cycle lanes. It is then possible to use the marked
right of way within the Langstone Technology Park campus to join
the main north-south route under the A27 and thence 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.