In 2003 the footways along both sides of the Bridge were widened as part of a wider scheme to make the Bridge fit for modern heavy traffic. The old parapet railings were demonstrated to be not capable to restraining a vehicle leaving the carriageway from falling into the Harbour below. The work to increase the capacity of the railings required the construction of a new edge beam along both sides of the Bridge to provide an anchor for the new heavy duty railings. The construction of the edge beam enabled the footway to be widened from 1.6 m wide to 2.0 m wide, and at this point both were changed in status to be shared use (i.e. cyclist / pedestrian) for the full length (300 m ) of the Bridge.
Continuing the Hayling Billy route on the mainland southwards from the end of Phase 1, this link runs on the west side of Langstone Road following the route of the former Hayling Billy railway line. It provides a cycle and pedestrian 'bypass' for the narrow section of the main A3023 Langstone Road as it passes through the west end of Langstone village. As with the rest of the Trail, it forms part of the National Cycle Network, route NCN 2 (the South Coast Cycle Route).
The project included changes to the crossing arrangements at the northern end of the village, just north of the Mill Lane junction, improving the former uncontrolled crossing. At its southern end, the work returns to Langstone Road opposite 'The Ship Inn'. A future phase 4N - planned for 2012 - will close the 250 m gap from this point to Langstone Bridge.
Phase 3 was completed and formally opened on 26th February 2010 - a press release is available elsewhere on this site. The opening ceremony was attended by David Willetts MP as well as representatioves of Sustrans and local users - an article in the local newspaper is available through this link >>.
Phase 3 of the Billy Trail, looking north upon completion in 2009
A Public consultation was carried out early in March 2009 with respect to the choice of surfacing materials. The result of this consultation is available through this link.
As part of the design for the scheme a ground level survey at the southern end of the proposed footway construction was carried out in response to local requests for improved flood defences. This showed that the ground level of the new route and / or the existing bund was at or above 3.3 m AOD , which is considered to be the present day 1 in 200 year extreme water level and thus already provides the required standard of flood protection.
Once the 'Portchester Castle to Emsworth Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk Management Strategy' has been completed, and when public funds are available, it is our intention that further investigations are undertaken to reduce flood risk to the Langstone area in light of the potential impacts of climate change, for example sea level rise.