Broadmarsh Cycle Route

Part of the National Cycle Network (route NCN22)

 
This project provides 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 project creates 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 Hilsea 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 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 at opening ceremony David Willetts MP chats with Chris Davies and others, meeting before the opening ceremony at Broadmarsh (127 kb ).
Cutting the ribbon 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 A3(M) and A27, the major routes which the cycleway is designed to avoid (521 kb ).
David Willetts cutting the ribbon David, Anne, Chris and Guy perform the actual opening .... (594 kb )
First users of the new cycleway ... 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).

 

Thumbnail - Harts Farm Way construction View westwards along Harts Farm Way in February 2008 showing construction work for the new shared footpath / cycleway making good progress (105 kb ).
Construction at Broadmarsh April 2008 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 ).
Thumbnail - west end of Harts Farm Way View westwards at the west end of the new cycleway, 23rd May. This end of the route is now almost completed (94 kb ).
Harts Farm Way cycleway approaching Hermitage bridge 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 ).
Harts Farm Way cycleway as it passes the amenity point 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 ).
East end of Harts Farm Way cycleway 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. Havant Footpath 50 (intended to be upgraded to shared use) skirts the northern edge of the Langstone Technology Park campus, where it joins the main north-south route (Havant Footpath 51) under the A27 and thence allowing traffic-free access into Havant town centre via the Solent Retail Park, Park Road North and the Central Retail Park subway to Havant railway station and the Hayling Billy Trail.

Direct Gov UK
Havant Borough Council, Civic Centre Road, Havant, Hampshire PO9 2AX