Progress report for the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link
Dr Stuart Withington, Chair Flitch Way Action Group 23 February 2023
I would like to thank Shaun Pledger for his time and enthusiasm as our Chair and Co-chair. Due to pressure of work and other commitments he has stood down but remains a very valuable trustee. Following a vote, I have now succeeded Shaun as the Chair of the group.
As the Flitch Way project has evolved we have now amended our charitable objectives to include an active travel link between the Flitch Way and the transport hub and airport at Stansted. This link is fully supported by Essex Highways, East Herts Council and Uttlesford District Council and we are grateful to Cllr Lee Scott, Cllr Graham McAndrew and Cllr Louise Pepper for their help. We are especially grateful to UDC for funding an options and feasibility study of the routes from Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and Stansted. This report should be available shortly.
Whilst exploring new routes around Bishop’s Stortford I must thank Simon Thorpe and Stephen Skinner from VeloVoice and David Webber from Bishop’s Stortford footpath association for their help and support (as well as a very pleasant evening in the Three Willows!)
Recently the Winfresh banana facility in Little Canfield was acquired by UDC for use as a waste depot and various offices. As the Flitch Way skirts around this site the FWAG have been suggesting that this is an ideal opportunity to re-route the bridleway along the side of the site. This would remove a very dangerous “on road” section of the Flitch Way with no pavement, poor visibility and a blind turning. After written representation and two site visits with Mr Ben Brown, Assistant Director Environmental Services UDC, we are hopeful that this may happen and demonstrate the council’s commitment to active travel.
In June last year the group had a very useful meeting with Cllr Lee Scott and Ms Helen Baker. Cllr Scott is fully supportive of the Flitch Way project but added that council funding was very restricted and most of the work on the Flitch Way would have to come via developers from s106 agreements. It was noted that ECC had recently received nearly £10 million for active travel and much of this has been spent in the major conurbations with little for more rural areas. In February 2023 the government announced a further £200 million for active travel, we hope that some of this money is used to redress the imbalance between urban and rural active travel provision. Essex highways are in the process of appointing a new officer who will have responsibility for the Flitch Way, this appointment has now just been made and we are waiting to be introduced.
I feel I must thank the planners at UDC and ECC Highways for including the Flitch Way when deciding on conditions and s106 funding during consideration of significant developments. This element of funding may be particularly relevant for schemes such as Moors Fields which is obliged to provide a new bridleway bridge over the river Chelmer as well as other works. I note that from 1st June 2023 Active Travel England will be statutory consultees on any development of more than 150 residential units or any large industrial development.
Once we have had time to study the feasibility and options report and the new highways officer has settled in then we should organise a meeting to decide on a way forward. This meeting should include Essex Highways, East Herts Council, Uttlesford District Council and Stansted Airport as well as any other interested parties.
I could not end an annual report with giving heartfelt thanks to our friends and supporters at Essex Bridleways Association and the Friends of the Flitch Way. I must also thank all the wonderful members of the Flitch Way Action Group, without them none of the achievements so far would have been possible. Finally, a special get well soon to our finance officer Sandra Lloyd.
As the Flitch Way project has evolved we have now amended our charitable objectives to include an active travel link between the Flitch Way and the transport hub and airport at Stansted. This link is fully supported by Essex Highways, East Herts Council and Uttlesford District Council and we are grateful to Cllr Lee Scott, Cllr Graham McAndrew and Cllr Louise Pepper for their help. We are especially grateful to UDC for funding an options and feasibility study of the routes from Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and Stansted. This report should be available shortly.
Whilst exploring new routes around Bishop’s Stortford I must thank Simon Thorpe and Stephen Skinner from VeloVoice and David Webber from Bishop’s Stortford footpath association for their help and support (as well as a very pleasant evening in the Three Willows!)
Recently the Winfresh banana facility in Little Canfield was acquired by UDC for use as a waste depot and various offices. As the Flitch Way skirts around this site the FWAG have been suggesting that this is an ideal opportunity to re-route the bridleway along the side of the site. This would remove a very dangerous “on road” section of the Flitch Way with no pavement, poor visibility and a blind turning. After written representation and two site visits with Mr Ben Brown, Assistant Director Environmental Services UDC, we are hopeful that this may happen and demonstrate the council’s commitment to active travel.
In June last year the group had a very useful meeting with Cllr Lee Scott and Ms Helen Baker. Cllr Scott is fully supportive of the Flitch Way project but added that council funding was very restricted and most of the work on the Flitch Way would have to come via developers from s106 agreements. It was noted that ECC had recently received nearly £10 million for active travel and much of this has been spent in the major conurbations with little for more rural areas. In February 2023 the government announced a further £200 million for active travel, we hope that some of this money is used to redress the imbalance between urban and rural active travel provision. Essex highways are in the process of appointing a new officer who will have responsibility for the Flitch Way, this appointment has now just been made and we are waiting to be introduced.
I feel I must thank the planners at UDC and ECC Highways for including the Flitch Way when deciding on conditions and s106 funding during consideration of significant developments. This element of funding may be particularly relevant for schemes such as Moors Fields which is obliged to provide a new bridleway bridge over the river Chelmer as well as other works. I note that from 1st June 2023 Active Travel England will be statutory consultees on any development of more than 150 residential units or any large industrial development.
Once we have had time to study the feasibility and options report and the new highways officer has settled in then we should organise a meeting to decide on a way forward. This meeting should include Essex Highways, East Herts Council, Uttlesford District Council and Stansted Airport as well as any other interested parties.
I could not end an annual report with giving heartfelt thanks to our friends and supporters at Essex Bridleways Association and the Friends of the Flitch Way. I must also thank all the wonderful members of the Flitch Way Action Group, without them none of the achievements so far would have been possible. Finally, a special get well soon to our finance officer Sandra Lloyd.
Flitch Way Link maps
Click on the maps to download
Status Report updated February 2023
Bishops Stortford to Flitch Way at Start Hill
Uttlesford District Council via Cllr Louise Pepper have funded a route options study to determine the optimal way to link Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and on to the station and airport at Stansted.
Uttlesford District Council via Cllr Louise Pepper have funded a route options study to determine the optimal way to link Bishop’s Stortford to the Flitch Way and on to the station and airport at Stansted.
Butleys Lane to Ongar Road (The Brambles development)
In December 2021, it was agreed via planning approval that this section of the route is to be provided by the developers of Staggs Farm and will form an important route to the proposed new development of Helena Romanes School. The s106 funding to secure this route has been agreed but the start date for the development has yet to be decided.
In December 2021, it was agreed via planning approval that this section of the route is to be provided by the developers of Staggs Farm and will form an important route to the proposed new development of Helena Romanes School. The s106 funding to secure this route has been agreed but the start date for the development has yet to be decided.
Ongar Road North Development (“The Brambles”)
The bridleway through the Brambles development opened in 2020. We have been impressed with Redrow’s commitment to the construction of this well-made track. They also upgraded the footpath section up to the bridge over the B1256 to New Street. We are grateful to the developers for fulfilling their obligations. |
Ongar Road Crossing
A pedestrian crossing is to be provided by the developers of the Oaklands estate. At present the proposed crossing is poorly sited. It would make sense to move and upgrade it so that everyone wishing to cross the Ongar Road can use it. At the very least this crossing will slow traffic and make Ongar Road safer for pedestrians, riders and cyclists and we understand that Essex Highways are working on this. |
Smiths Farm Development
Work on the Smith’s Farm development stalled several years ago and is still awaiting a ruling from the European Courts. The Bridleway connection from Maynard Park estate is still in the plans but there are no dates yet for the continuation of this development.
Chelmsford Road Crossing
This crossing on the Flitch Way has been highlighted as dangerous on many occasions and indeed a recent accident has reinforced this view. A new crossing is part of the Smith’s Farm development, but this has been in planning on for over ten years. As a result, a temporary solution of a pedestrian refuge has been put forward and is currently awaiting a decision from the Local Highways Panel.
Work on the Smith’s Farm development stalled several years ago and is still awaiting a ruling from the European Courts. The Bridleway connection from Maynard Park estate is still in the plans but there are no dates yet for the continuation of this development.
Chelmsford Road Crossing
This crossing on the Flitch Way has been highlighted as dangerous on many occasions and indeed a recent accident has reinforced this view. A new crossing is part of the Smith’s Farm development, but this has been in planning on for over ten years. As a result, a temporary solution of a pedestrian refuge has been put forward and is currently awaiting a decision from the Local Highways Panel.
Byway 57 was closed for several months at the start of 2020 for ECC to implement welcome improvements to the surface and drainage and we participated in a scheme initiated by responsible off-roaders to place gabions next to the byway to deter rogue drivers trespassing on neighbouring land and damaging the river banks.
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It has been another exciting and productive year for the group. I would like to formally welcome Stephen Skinner from the East Herts cyclists and Cllr Louise Pepper from Uttlesford District Council to the group, I am sure they will both prove to be valuable assets.
Next Steps
Continue to forge good and collaborative relationships with Hertfordshire County Council, Uttlesford District Council, Stansted Airport and Essex Highways.
Try and make the Flitch Way a top priority project for Great Dunmow Town Council in order to ensure that S106 money will be available for the project. As all councils have declared a climate and environmental emergency, active travel has been pushed to the fore and we should hope to capitalise on this welcome change in priorities.
Next Steps
Continue to forge good and collaborative relationships with Hertfordshire County Council, Uttlesford District Council, Stansted Airport and Essex Highways.
Try and make the Flitch Way a top priority project for Great Dunmow Town Council in order to ensure that S106 money will be available for the project. As all councils have declared a climate and environmental emergency, active travel has been pushed to the fore and we should hope to capitalise on this welcome change in priorities.
Authorities helping achieving our vision
In order to achieve our vision of connecting the Flitch Way with a definitive bridleway we have established a good working relationship with the planning authority Uttlesford District Council, planning process on applications affecting our route.
Essex Highways are supportive and have adopted the connection project. At our first meeting with Garry White (Manager of the Public Right of Way team) on the 15th Jan 2010 he reported that the project has scored highly on the Essex County Council works list as a most important strategic creation project and he entitled the project the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link.
We verified the route by exploring each phase on foot. Since then planning applications for housing developments around Great Dunmow have had potential to impact on the viability of the project.
Although all planning and design considerations are negotiated by Uttlesford District Council Planning Authority and Essex Highways, we recognise that we need a positive relationship with the housing developers, to communicate to them the needs and aspirations of the project and to gain their good will in the provision of requirements. In this we have been successful.
The housing developers recognise that connection with our project is beneficial to the facilities provided for their developments by providing access to the Flitch Way and for cycling and walking to places of education, employment, leisure, shopping etc.
Essex Highways are supportive and have adopted the connection project. At our first meeting with Garry White (Manager of the Public Right of Way team) on the 15th Jan 2010 he reported that the project has scored highly on the Essex County Council works list as a most important strategic creation project and he entitled the project the Great Dunmow Flitch Way Link.
We verified the route by exploring each phase on foot. Since then planning applications for housing developments around Great Dunmow have had potential to impact on the viability of the project.
Although all planning and design considerations are negotiated by Uttlesford District Council Planning Authority and Essex Highways, we recognise that we need a positive relationship with the housing developers, to communicate to them the needs and aspirations of the project and to gain their good will in the provision of requirements. In this we have been successful.
The housing developers recognise that connection with our project is beneficial to the facilities provided for their developments by providing access to the Flitch Way and for cycling and walking to places of education, employment, leisure, shopping etc.
Support from key stakeholders
We also have the support of the following organisations - Sustrans, Cycling UK (formerly the C.T.C.), The Ramblers Association, British Horse Society and most prominently Essex Bridleways Association. The Essex Country Parks Flitch Way rangers and the Friends of the Flitch Way support the project and see the securing of this viable and safe bridleway link as a significant and worthwhile goal.