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Part of the regeneration programme for Lydney Harbour proposes a new path from near the sailing club house via an access ramp or steps up to FLY44 known as The Cliff Path. It has been suggested that a circular walk from the Harbour could utilise this new access route to take in the cliff path views, Naas House and fields giving views back across the environs of Lydney. This could be achieved using existing public rights of way.
On Wednesday 10th November 2004 David Street walked these paths to assess their current condition and work required to bring them to a suitable standard. FLY numbers relate to definitive footpaths.
FLY44
David has no information regarding exactly where the new path will come up from the Harbour. He started from the intersection with FLY25 which is above the sailing club house.
At grid ref SO652016 just after the intersection with FLY45 there is a collapsed culvert which needs either a concrete pipe and infilling or a short footbridge to span it.
Position A.
In a further 100 yards some revetting and approximately 4 to 6 steps are required to ascend a bank over tree roots.
Position C.
Further on there are two obstructions by pig wire fencing. The first has been previously trodden down and the second one has been folded back to create an access.
This path is in generally good condition requiring only a minimum of clearance that could be carried out with hand tools by volunteers.
This section affords good views across the river to Sharpness Docks and the Cotswolds. At low tide the piers of the old railway bridge are visible. The path would be enhanced by cutting bushes and trees to create viewpoints.
Beyond the intersection with FLY45 the condition of FLY44, which we do not use, deteriorates and is totally obstructed behind Cliff Farm. There are no waymarks along this footpath.
FLY45 (Short circuit)
It was noted that at the Northern intersection with FLY44 a small amount of hardcore has been tipped at the side of the path. There were also two rolls of pig wire close by.
Position D.
Initially this path crosses pastureland. At the time of walking a heavy tractor had caused some rutting which had caused the surface to become puddled and muddy.
At the pasture boundary there is a galvanised farm gate in good working condition. SO653021.
From this point the path crosses a field close to the left hand boundary. The field has recently been ploughed and the path is not obvious on the ground.
Position E.
At the field corner SO652019 the path is obstructed by a patch of overgrown ground and the overgrown hedgerow. There is an old metal gate visible in the hedgerow. This obstruction should be within the capabilities of volunteers with hand tools.
Position F.
From this point to the Southern intersection with FLY44 at SO651016 the path currently crosses rough pastureland. At the junction with FLY44 there is pig wire across the path that has been trampled down.
There are no waymarks along this footpath. The path can then be followed back down to the dock giving a total walk distance of 1.25 miles.
FLY46 (Long circuit)
From SO653021 this path crosses a field that had been recently ploughed and the path is not obvious on the ground.
Position G.
There would be a need for a waymark post at the intersection with the metalled Naas Lane at SO649020.
The route can use either of two paths from Naas House. Continue along Naas Lane to cross the swing bridge to go along the river side of the harbour back to the dock giving a total walk distance of 1.8 miles.
The alternative is to use FLY25 going South East to reach the end of FLY44 and the proposed new path down to the Dock. This gives giving a total walk distance of 1.4 miles).
FLY25 (South East)
There would be a need for a waymark post at the intersection with the metalled Naas Lane at SO648017.
There is no path obvious on the ground. Currently there is a strip that has been ploughed approximately 50 feet wide from the left edge of the field. The line of the path cuts the corner of this area. The middle of the field is currently fallow and presents a sound surface. The right hand half of the field had been rough ploughed and the last half of the footpath cuts diagonally across this ploughed area.
Position H.
Waymark post needed at junction with FLY44 at SO650014.
These paths would form the basis of themed walks from the Docks. The walks show off the varied scenery and history of this area. There are excellent views down the estuary to the bridges. The cliff top views to Sharpness docks and the remains of the railway bridge piers illustrate the historical link with Sharpness. Also the local farming and forestry are on view together with the interesting Nass House and the harbour area.
In addition to the above mentioned circular walks it is evident that a useful alternative link to the town could be afforded by the improvement of the north western section of FLY25. This runs from Naas Lane through fields bordering the industrial estate to follow Plummers Brook and eventually cross the railway and the bypass to what is currently Lydney Golf Course. We understand that this land north of the bypass is part of the local housing plan. A single strand barbed wire fence at SO646018 obstructs the true line of the path. A section at the far north-western end at the approach to Plummers Brook runs between wire fences and is badly flooded. It requires building up to raise the path above the flood level.
All of these paths are on the definitive public rights of way map and most are currently walkable, however, there are some obstructions. Some of these are “technical” obstructions, that is, the owner had ploughed the path without reinstatement or allowed them to become overgrown. There is also a need for some signage and waymarking. Other hardware required is one gate or stile, a short bridge or pipe with infill and some revetting and steps. With the relevant landowners permission, David would suggest that all of the clearance required is within the capabilities of volunteer labour with hand tools. |
