Essex Walks

The Footpath Network and High Speed Rail (HS2)

11th January 2012

    Click on the map to see fullscreen OS map

= intersected PROWs
=passing under viaducts (?)
= rail in tunnel under PROW

Footpaths form part of the highway network, allowing public access to private land along specified and defined routes. These routes have often existed virtually unchanged, for centuries. As such, footpaths are part of the historic fabric of the English countryside. Many, many footpaths have been lost over the years but still, looking at the pattern of the remaining paths in an area can illuminate the importance of individual manor houses. churches and farms in times gone by, give pointers to the location of villages and pubs which have long since disappeared, and can show ancient droving and trade routes.

It's a shame when any of these old routes are destroyed or disturbed, because that part of our history is gone for ever. But local councils do try and keep the paths alive, by for example, creating crossing points, bridges and tunnels to allow foot passage across new road developments, or to replace a rural path with an urban one where there are new housing developments.

The adjacent Ordnance Survey or Google Map looks at the proposed High Speed Rail route (HS2) between London and Birmingham, to assess the impact on the footpath network. There are upwards of 160 paths which will be directly impacted by the new rail line. Although none of the affected paths are in Essex, still for the nation as a whole we hope the rush to get through the countryside 30 minutes faster will not destroy the glories of low speed, low tech access into the countryside along the paths which have, so far, lasted longer than any railway in the world.

NB: The map of affected footpaths and bridleways according to the 'HS2 Revised Line of Route Maps' published by the Department of Transport on 10th January 2012 was extracted from the official DfT ESRI-format data file published on 18th January 2012!. This map is intended for illustrative purposes only - please refer to the original DfT documents for accurate plans.

Site News

5th January 2012

Update: Google Maps API V3

Google Maps driving directions has been added to the map. If you are travelling to the start of one of our walks, you can simply enter your departure location and Google maps will plot a course to the walk with distance and estimated jouney time. Full written directions are also available in a pop-up window.

22nd December 2011

A Christmas Present: Google Maps API V3

The OS/Google interactive route maps have been upgraded. The Google Maps part of these is now running using the latest Version 3 engine. As before maps can be displayed as a road map, a topological terrain map or as a satellire view of the green pastures of Essex, using the top right buttons on the map. When clicked, the numbered map icons display a pop-up information box, and in this version, more than one window can stay open at the same time.

The biggest change is, however, the introduction of Google Street View. This feature, originally available from Google Earth, allows you to see 360° photographic shots of the roads and lanes in an area and to virtually navigate around streets. To start Street View, drag the little yellow man on the Google map onto the area you want to inspect: to return to the ordinary map click on the 'X' top right.

The programming required to convert to this new version was far from straightforward. As always, if you think something isn't working as it should, please drop us an email, so we can, hopefully, fix it.

6th December 2011

The Centenary Circle, Chelmsford

It's been a long time coming, but at last we're pleased to say that the long distance path the Centenary Circle is up on the site at last. The Centenary Circle is a circular footpath circumnavigating Chelmsford. The 21 mile long route has been broken into five sections starting at the village common in Galleywood, south of Chelmsford. The anti-clockwise route then visits Sandon, Springfield, Broomfield and Writtle before returning to Galleywood. We decided to do the walk in one go, and inadvertedly picked what was to turn out the hottest day of the year. If you wish to break the walk over more than one day, each section starts near a bus stop which will take you back into Chelmsford town centre.

Centenary Circle Overview

21st September 2011

Train Stations

The latest improvement to the site is a map showing where all the Essex train stations are. Each icon is clickable to provide a link to the current arrival/departure information for the station, and links to the excellent "Accessible UK Train Timetables" web site designed by Matthew Somerville. He's provided a user-friendly form to get train times to and from destinations and display the information in a simple accessible way.

A link to the map is on the Links page under Travel. Take a look: Essex Train Stations
It should be useful when planning your journey to an Essex Walk.

11th June 2011

Essex Walks is currently undergoing a slight revamp behind the scenes and as part of that we will be breaking walks into two sections - quite simply "Short Walks" and "Long Walks".

What defines a short walk is very much down to the individual's ability and the time and effort required for a walk. To keep it simple, we've called 'short walks' anything under 20 miles, but most new 'Short Walks' won't be anything as long as 20 miles. In response to people who've kindly contacted us, we will be concentrating on mainly circular walks of about 5 - 7 miles, preferably with a nice pub at the end of it.

Long walks will be a section for Trails - long distance footpaths that can't be walked in a day, for example The Essex Way. We are currently working on more Essex long-distance paths for the web site which will hopefully provide better (free) documentation of certain routes than is generally available at the moment. The trails will be chunked into walkable sections with the emphasis on getting to the start and finish of each section via public transport, as not everyone has someone able to pick them up in a car at the end of a day's walk.

21st November 2010

The Essex Way

The complete guide to the Essex Way is now complete.
It's a little different to most you'll see, not least, it's backwards - from Harwich to Epping.

The Essex Way

14th October 2010

Ordnance Survey Search

A new facility to look up placenames, postcodes and GB Grid References has been added to the site. A link is on the main menu under "Map Search".
This doesn't have any walk routes - these are under the "Walks" heading, but it does provide the opportunity to scroll over an Ordnance Survey map of the Essex area, and includes a new zoom level of detail called 'OS VectorMap™ District' released under OS OpenData.
The general idea was to provide an easy way to find out the Grid references and co-ordinates of points on the map. The map allows you to place a marker pin on the map, which when clicked, will pop-up to show the marker's position with a GB Grid reference, Longitude/Latitude Co-ordinates (in decimal format), and a 12 digit grid references. (For an excellent explanation of these systems see Grid References).
There is a restriction on the number of map tiles that can be loaded from the Ordnance Survey server, so at the moment this service is restricted to the general Essex area. Sorry!

9th August 2010

We thought 'how can you have a website called "Essex Walks", without the biggest Long Distance Path in the the county - The Essex Way - being included?'.
Well we're working on it. We're composing a guide a little different to most you'll see, not least, it's backwards - from Harwich to Epping. This should be up on site by the end of November.

26th March 2010

This site is featured on the Ordnance Survey OpenSpace application developer's Gallery.

28th January 2010

Web site development began in mid-August 2009, and is still very much a work-in-progess.

A large backlog of our favorite walks remains to be uploaded.
Now that the snow has melted, more walks are planned.

Access Essex Newsletter

22nd December 2011

Here's a little plug for an online newsletter that should be of interest to walkers in Essex.

The Access Essex Newsletter is published quarterly by Essex County Council's Public Rights of Way team, and provides updates and information for anyone with an interest in Public Rights of Way within the county. Each edition provides updates from local groups, information about improvement programmes, and an events diary.

• Winter 2011
• Summer 2011
• Spring 2011
• Winter 2010/11
  

Please note Essex Walks is not affiliated in any way to Essex County Council

National Trust to Create 100 miles of New Footpaths

The National Trust is planning to create 100 miles of new footpaths in 2011. The organisation is concerned that its public image focuses too much on country houses, and wants to promote the 660,000 acres of land that they look after.

Fiona Reynolds, Director General of the National Trust, commented that people have lost their ability to connect with nature, and that as a result, people are scared. There is a feeling that unless there is a nice marked path, walkers might be trespassing or get lost. The footpaths that the charity is going to be creating will make it easier for people to get out of the gardens attached to country houses and into the parks, woodlands and surrounding lands.

Dame Fiona Reynolds said: 'We want to play our part in helping to reconnect the nation with outdoor spaces, whether in the Lake District or a local park. Over 100 years ago, one of the trust's founders, Octavia Hill, argued that quiet, air and exercise, together with the sight of sky and growing things, were human needs common to all people. A growing body of research backs her intuition, but over a century later we still don't seem to value enough the physical and spiritual refreshment we get from our surroundings.'

The project will culminate during the October half term this year when the charity will hold a 'walking festival', and members of the public will be invited to help finish off the 100 miles of new paths and take a walk in the countryside.

Mayflower Walk 2011

Preparations for the tenth annual Mayflower Walk are now underway, and it's a great opportunity to raise money for charity and make a start on walking the Essex Way. The Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club are once again organising this enjoyable event to take place on Sunday 29th May 2011 ( Spring Bank Holiday weekend ) and will be providing water stations along the route from Harwich to Manningtree.

The 13.8 mile route sets off from the Low Lighthouse on Harwich seafront and meanders through Dovercourt, across the Tendring peninsular and through Little Oakley and Ramsey to the banks of the River Stour.
It then continues to Bradfield and Mistley before ending at Manningtree.

Shorter routes from Harwich to Wrabness or Wrabness to Manningtree are also available.

Every penny of sponsorship raised is given to charities and good causes: 25% of the money raised from sponsors goes to the Rotary Club charity fund and the remaining cash goes to the charity chosen by individual participants,

In recent years, the event has raised in excess of £10,000.

Entry costs £5 for adults, £2 for under 12s and £30 for groups/organisations (of at least eight people).

For full details, including an entry form, go to the Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club website - entries should be returned to the Rotary Club, 7 New Road, Mistley, Essex, CO11 2AE by 20th May 2011.

National Express (East Anglia) will provide free travel to or from Harwich, on the Mayflower Line trains, for all those participating on the day

Forest Sell-Off

25th October 2010

Ministers are planning a massive sell-off of Britain's state-owned forests as they seek to raise billions of pounds to help cutting the deficit, the Telegraph reported.

Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, is expected to announce plans within days to dispose of about half of the 1.85 million acres of woodland overseen by the Forestry Commission by 2020, according to the newspaper report.

The controversial decision will pave the way for a huge expansion in the number of Center Parcs-style holiday villages, golf courses, adventure sites and commercial logging operations throughout Britain as land is sold to private companies, the report added.

"We will ensure our forests continue to play a full role in our efforts to combat climate change, protect the environment and enhance biodiversity, provide green space for access and recreation, alongside seeking opportunities to support modernisation and growth in the forestry sector," a spokesman said.

Allan MacKenzie, the secretary of the Forestry Commission Trade Unions, warned that they would fight the sell-off.
''Once we've sold it, it never comes back. Once it is sold, restrictions are placed on the land which means the public don't get the same access to the land and facilities that are provided by the public forest estate,'' he told The Sunday Telegraph. ''The current system means a vast amount of people can enjoy forests and feel ownership of them. It is an integral part of society.''

'Green' exercise good for your mind

2nd May 2010

Just five minutes of exercise in a "green space" such as a park can boost mental health, researchers claim.

There is growing evidence that combining activities such as walking with nature boosts well-being. In the latest analysis, UK researchers looked at evidence from 1,250 people in 10 studies and found fast improvements in mood and self-esteem.

The research looked at many different outdoor activities including walking, gardening,and horse-riding and in locations such as a park, garden or nature trail.

The biggest effect was seen within just five minutes.

With longer periods of time exercising in a green environment, the positive effects were clearly apparent but were of a smaller magnitude, the study found. Participants were found to be significantly less angry, depressed, confused and tense after engaging in the activities and all their self-esteem levels significantly improved.

Green and blue

Every green environment improved both self-esteem and mood; the presence of water - such as a lake or river - generated greater effects

Study leader Jules Pretty, a researcher at the University of Essex, said those who were generally inactive, or stressed, or with mental health problems would probably benefit the most from "green exercise".

Full journal article as PDF

Rights of Way - A Big Step Forward

25 March 2010

Natural England Report highlights a new way ahead for old public rights of way

Representatives of the key national interests in public rights of way united today in delivering a ground-breaking set of recommendations to Government designed to improve the law and procedures concerning old public rights of way.

The Group's report - Stepping Forward - is a blueprint for wide-ranging change that would deliver real benefits for the general public, landowners, farmers and local authorities alike.

Old rights of way have long been one of the most difficult areas of access legislation. At present, many old rights of way such as footpaths and bridleways are not recorded on the official 'definitive map' held by county councils. The result is a lack of clarity for the public about which routes they can use, plus periodic concerns for landowners when claims to record such routes suddenly arise.

To look for solutions, Natural England - with the approval of government - convened a special working group at the end of 2008, with balanced representation from the main interest groups in public rights of way. The result is today's report which has achieved unexpected consensus among all of the Group's 15 members.

Squarely in the Group's sights is the bureaucracy of the existing procedures for recording pre-1949 rights of way. The Group identifies a range of ways to make the procedures simpler, quicker, more flexible, and more cost effective. It also suggests measures to make them less adversarial and more constructive, with new scope for authorities to agree practical solutions with occupiers where old routes conflict with modern land use.

The Group has also recommended retaining the 2026 cut-off date contained in current legislation whereby pre-1949 routes that have not been recorded by 2026 will be extinguished. Fixing a date will deliver greater certainty in the future about where public rights exist, while the Group's detailed recommendations will help ensure that the process to record or otherwise protect useful or potentially useful routes can be completed ahead of the 2026 deadline.

Natural England has forwarded the Group's 32 unanimous recommendations to Government, which will now consider its findings.

Poul Christensen, Chair of Natural England, said: "Rights of way are a vital means by which people can enjoy our beautiful countryside and engage with nature, farming and their local heritage. Through this remarkable consensus, the Group has shown how these benefits can be secured for future generations while removing much of the uncertainty, bureaucracy and cost currently involved in the recording process - and promoting practical solutions to potential conflicts. The Group's Stepping Forward report is a triumph of pragmatism, fairness and commonsense and we commend it to Government unreservedly"

Copies of the Stepping Forward report can be downloaded via the Natural England website at http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NECR035

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

The Wild Places of Essex

08 February 2010

BBC2 - Essex Wildlife on Wednesday 10th February 2010 at 8.00pm

This looks promising! One of the new Essex RSPB Conservation areas - Rainham Marshes- is covered in this BBC2 programme, which is a coincidence because Essex Walks plans to feature this site for a new walk route for the spring.

Multi-award-winning writer Robert Macfarlane sets out on a journey to explore the unexpected landscapes and natural history of Essex, revealing that there is far more to the county than the stereotypes of white stilettos and boy racers.

Macfarlane spends a year travelling the county's strange and elemental landscapes of heavy industry, desolate beaches and wild woods. He encounters massive knot flocks over the Thames, peregrine falcons at Tilbury Power Station, water voles within sniffing distance of the municipal dump, deer rutting in earshot of the M25, barn owls, badgers and bluebells in Billericay as well as a large colony of common seals.
Link: The Wild Places of Essex- BBC Website

NFU and Ramblers team up for safety

26 August 2009

The NFU and The Ramblers are urging people to enjoy the countryside, but to enjoy it safely, and have provided new signs and advice for walkers with dogs strolling near cattle.

Walkers will see the new yellow and black signs reminding them that dogs can harm or scare farm animals. The signs give a clear reminder to those using public footpaths to keep dogs on leads but - importantly - to let them go if they're being chased or feel threatened by cattle.

NFU Deputy President Meurig Raymond said: 'Farmers take care before placing livestock into fields, particularly those with a footpath, but equally the public should also be aware and must know what to do if cattle approach them. That is why we support the advice of the Ramblers for walkers with dogs. However we must not forget that the countryside is where farmers earn their living and that is where cattle and sheep will be grazed.'

Tom Franklin, CEO of the Ramblers, said: 'The British countryside is working land where animals graze in close proximity to walkers, which is why it's such a pleasure to walk in. As with any working environment there are certain risks and it is untenable to remove all those risks from our surroundings.

'Incidents of people being attacked by cattle are few and far between, thankfully, and it would be counter to the interest of people who walk and farmers alike to see cattle closed off behind fences in fields. We urge people who walk not to let the very low risk of cattle attacks put them off enjoying the countryside when it is at its loveliest.'

There is also some simple advice that walkers can follow to minimise the risk of an accident happening:
Do

• Try not to get between cows and their calves
• Be prepared for cattle to react to your presence, especially if you have a dog with you
• Move quickly and quietly, and if possible walk around the herd
• Keep your dog close and under effective control on a lead

Don't

• Don't hang onto your dog. If you are threatened by cattle - let it go as the cattle will chase the dog.
• Don't put yourself at risk. Find another way round the cattle and rejoin the footpath as soon as possible
• Don't panic or run! Most cattle will stop before they reach you. If they follow just walk on quietly.

Essex RoWIP

31 July 2009

Essex County Council launched the Essex Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) on 31st July 2009.

The RoWIP assesses whether the existing rights of way network (footpaths, bridleways and by-ways) meets the present and future needs of the population of Essex, including specifically the ability of blind and partially sighted people and those with mobility problems to use rights of way. Also it looks at the opportunities for open air recreation and enjoyment provided by rights of way.

Essex County Council will use the RoWIP to identify changes to be made to the network - both in the way rights of way are managed and maintained, and improvements to the network - in order to improve provision for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people with mobility problems.

As part of its research for this, Essex County Council surveyed many thousands of households and interviewed interested groups. They concluded that the greatest priority for rights of way was better maintenance (including cutting back overgrown vegetation, clearing dog mess and litter, and improving or replacing unsafe stiles), followed by clamping down of the illegal use of motor bikes and other motorized vehicles.

Other priorities include better signage and reducing fragmentation of the network.

To read the full report click Essex PROW Improvement Plan