Improvements to the Castleman Trailway are at the half-way point!
Work to the east of Horton Road has been completed, with the removal of the central ‘bund’ (left following utility works), drainage improvements and regrading of the path in places, and a foundation layer laid along the path ready for the final stone surface.
The trail will be fully open from Ashley Heath as far as Verwood Road (near the junction with the A31) by the end of February.
From the end February until the end of March this work will continue to the west of Horton Road – improving the condition of the trailway for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
Barriers on the route are being replaced with bollards to improve accessibility for mobility vehicles and wheelchair users, as well as for people on bikes and horse riders.
Work started on 3 January and is currently scheduled to finish in mid-March. The project is being funded in part by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
Thank you, Thank you. It will be a much nicer surface to ride on.
Thank you so much. This link from Ringwood will be much used.
In the past I have made a few comments to the Council about the accessibility to the Trailway for disabled people who rely on mobility scooters such as myself, the galvanized barriers situated at the entrances did prevent many scooters access, l spoke to Will Holland and he told me that his understanding was that this problem was being addressed as part of upgrading of the Trailway. On the 22nd Feb l went down to the entrance at the Ashley Heath end and was really impressed by the improvements and the consideration made for the disabled. “Well Done” Dorset Council , IF the public respect what has been done for them they will benefit by it for a long time
As someone who commutes to Ringwood using the trail this interruption has been a complete pain. Forcing me back into my car. The only other viable route is the footpath adjacent to the A31 which is in terrible condition and makes for an awful ride. I have tried it and it’s downright dangerous as it’s in such a bad state.
I am looking forward to the improvements as it will make the ride a lot better.
But please, in future, DCC please communicate clearly about what and when. There are no warning signs, no diversions in place which pushed me onto roads with grumpy motorists who like to get far too close.