Midhurst Greenway Plans

Following the Public Meeting on Friday 4ᵗʰ Feb 2022 the South Pond Group have submitted these comments in response to the WSCC new Plans for the Midhurst Greenway. 

Jubilee Path – The woodland is classified as Ancient Woodland and in a conservation area surrounded
by scrub and grass verges which is all part of the habitat and ecological balance. This is a quiet
rural path and widening the path to 3 m will remove much of the grass verge which helps with
drainage and provides areas for other species. No ecological survey has taken place and
consideration has not been given to bats that use this wildlife corridor as we know from our bat
identification evenings. In the original plans the new path was going to the south side of the
existing Jubilee Path away from the Woodland/Stream and now it is cutting right into the existing
grass areas. In a recent discussion with SDNPA advising us about the care of the woodland these
areas are needed for biodiversity. Consideration has not been given to the surface to be used as
tarmac is non permeable preventing drainage, increasing run off and is not environmentally
friendly. In 2021 photographs were taken by local residents of stag beetles and recordings were
sent to Peolpe’s Trust for Endangered Species. This beetle is protected under the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 1981 and listed as a priority species showing the importance of this woodland and
surrounding area.

South Side – Although we wish to support the idea and benefits of cycling we strongly feel that the
cycle track should go along the South Side. This path is not used so frequently and away from most
people and wildfowl roaming because of the bank. Many towns have calming facilities for cyclists
and the Chichester Road bridge could be adjusted possibly with a chicane to make it safer for
cyclists using the short distance up to the wharf to turn right. It would have the added advantage
of slowing traffic along that road. The plans are already affecting the path and road crossing on
New Road so there appears that there shouldn’t be a problem for WSCC working on the Chichester Road
with the added money saved on the path and bridge.

The Bridge – This iconic bridge is used by mobility scooters, dismounted cyclists , walkers,
families and those enjoying the view. When there is not enough room people wait at the ends as it
is a short distance. Widening it to 4m will encourage cyclists to come along the downward sloped
path to the bridge and cycle over which will encourage a greater speed and put elderly and small
children at greater risk. The existing bridge is an area where bats circulate as we have found on
our bat evenings and this will be affected when trees and shrubs are removed for this widening.

Community Area – The paved area around South Pond is the only area in the centre of town where
people can gather sit and relax without any traffic. It attracts visitors often staying at the
local hotels. Mothers/Grandparents, children and toddlers can wander at will and the elderly can
enjoy the environment when walking or sitting on the benches particularly popular in summer are the
ones in the shade. Moving these seats forward into the middle of the path would spoil the area
provide no shade and at present is prone to flooding. The wild fowl roam and families enjoy
feeding them without concerns about cycle traffic. The area from the bridge to the pond is used
by SPG for school visits to pond dip, and children looking at other creatures living in and around
the environment. Mobility scooters already using the area are naturally slower. A 3m tarmac path
will completely change this area and in places take it right to the pond edge where a shared path
with cyclists will make it more likely to be unsafe for mums with buggies and toddlers let alone
elderly.