River Lune Millennium Park Extension - Aldcliffe to Glasson Greenway

Site Description

The Aldcliffe to Glasson Greenway site is a linear site located along the coastline between the maritime village of Glasson Dock and Aldcliffe village in Lancaster district. Located on the River Lune estuary flood plain, the site runs almost parallel with the A588 main road, which connects Poulton-le-Flyde with Lancaster. The site includes the Lune Coastal Path, path verges and the Conder Green picnic site and car park. Between Glasson Dock and Conder Green the path is characterised by loose stone and is bounded on the seaward side by a sea defence wall and on the inland site by amenity grassland. North of Conder Green, the path is either stone or cinder and is enclosed by hedgerows, trees and estate fencing. The hedgerows on the eastern boundary separate the site from Meldham Wood, Lancaster Golf club and agricultural land.

Grid Reference: 345880 460940

Size: 11ha

Site Boundary

View the Site Boundary (size 167kb)

Status Before Work Began

The coastal path is a part of the Lancashire Coastal Way and offers spectacular views of the Lune Estuary and the protected wildlife that uses the estuary. The path between Conder Green and Aldcliffe is also part of National Cycle Network Route 6 which links Lancaster with Preston. The path is currently a permissive path whereby the owner and site manager, Lancashire County Council (Countryside Services), allows use of the path by walkers, cyclists and horseriders. Conflict between different user groups had been increasing along the path, particularly between walkers and cyclists, due to restrictions in path width and inconsiderate use of the path.

The site was in need of improvement and management to alleviate the problems of ponding, invasive vegetation, a hazardous surface (between Glasson Dock and Conder Green), poor signage, deteriorating boundary treatment and vandalised visitor amenities. The path did not meet national cycling standards. The route required improved surfacing and reclamation to a high standard to maximise its potential use and enhance the ecological value of the site.

Previous Use

The greenway follows a former branch line railway linking Glasson Dock to Lancaster. Following the closure of the railway and the dismantling of the line, the site was purchased by Lancashire County Council (LCC). LCC reclaimed the line as the Lune Coastal Path which was officially opened in 1991 as part of the Lancashire Coastal Way. The former station site at Conder Green has been redeveloped as Conder Green car park and picnic site. In June 2000 the path between Conder Green and Aldcliffe was designated part of National Cycle Network, Route 6. The path between Glasson and Conder Green was widened and resurfaced by the Environment Agency as part of flood defence works. However, the loose stone surface of the path was proving hazardous to users, particularly cyclists.

New Use

The site forms the third and final phase of an extension to the River Lune Millennium Park. The Millennium Park is a linear greenway along the former Caton to Lancaster railway line and incorporates a multi-use path used by walkers, cyclists and horseriders. The Millennium Park has been extremely popular with local communities and commuters within Lancaster district and also with visitors from Lancashire and beyond.

The River Lune Millennium Park Enhancement Project has resulted in the Millennium Park being extended to the west to Sunderland point (Phase 1) and to the south to Aldcliffe (Phase 2). These works have been undertaken by Lancaster City Council.

The Aldcliffe to Glasson greenway project (Phase 3) by REMADE resulted in the Lune Estuary path becoming part of the extended Millennium Park. The extension works created a high quality multi-use path which is acceptable to all users and for all purposes, whether recreational or commuting. Works to the amenity areas, verges, bridges, signage and interpretation improved the visitor experience. The status of the path between Conder Green and Aldcliffe was changed to a bridleway.

Aerial Photo

View an Aerial Photo of the site. (size 359kb)

Design

A design was produced for the site by Lancashire County Council Highway Consultancy Services. The design was informed by consultation and survey work including a detailed ecological survey. It is shown here in pdf format.

• Sheet Layout (file size 32.2mb)
• Sheet 1 (file size 36.8mb)
• Sheet 2 (file size 32.7mb)
• Sheet 3 (file size 36.8mb)
• Sheet 4 (file size 36.3mb)

Consultation

Copies of the draft design were sent to adjacent landowners and stakeholders for comment during May 2005. A public consultation event held at Glasson Dock village hall on Wednesday 25 May 2005 was attended by approximately 40 people. The draft design was presented and people were invited to complete comment sheets on the proposals. Copies of the draft design were also made available for viewing at the Dalton Arms pub in Glasson Dock, the Stork Hotel in Conder Green and via the REMADE website. People were also able to give comments on the design via an on-line questionnaire. The exhibition and website generated over 30 completed comment sheets and a number of letter, email and telephone enquiries. A planning application was submitted in June 2005 and resulted in further comments from statutory consultees and members of the public. The application was subsequently withdrawn following legal advice that planning permission was not required.

Comments received as a result of the landowner, stakeholder, public and planning consultations were used to inform and change the design proposals. The design included the following:

• Widening the path to a maximum width of 3 metres between Conder Green and Railway Crossing Lane, Aldcliffe.
• Resurfacing of the whole path (to Glasson) using black limestone.
• Protection of important wildlife habitats.
• Minimal vegetation clearance, informed by ecological advice
• Improved amenity facilities including disabled access ramps at Conder Green picnic site, bird watching leaning posts, extra benches and seating and new bollards at access points.
• All users are to be accommodated. Measures to restrict the speed of cyclists include information signage and rumble strips made from stone setts.
• Improvements to the River Conder Bridge.

A user survey of the site was undertaken on Friday 26 August 2005 to establish a benchmark of current site usage. Upon completion of the construction and landscaping works, further user surveys will be undertaken.

Work-in-Progress

The path re-opened to the public on Friday 23rd December 2005 after widening and resurfacing work. Further work took place from 30th January 2006 to improve the path surface and modify the speed humps. Landscaping work has been completed and new visitor information signs will be installed this summer.

Opening Event

The path was officially opened by County Councillor Clive Grunshaw at Conder Green on 24th June. This was part of an opening event that included organised cycle rides, wildlife walks, cycle simulator, cycle safety checks and binocular display. Many thanks to everybody who attended and helped to organise the event.