Sweyne Park Update

January

9

1 comments

We know some residents are unhappy about the state of the bridle path in Sweyne Park.

Here’s a photo before Xmas:

sweyne park before xmas

and here’s a photo this week: (photocredits: Claire Priest Smart)

sweyne park jan 7th

We’re pleased to say that council officers are also concerned – they care about the park too – and want to carry out remedial work when the weather improves. They have told us:

“We are aware of the issues on the bridle path at Sweyne Park, especially the area between Canterbury Close and the school. We will be carrying out reinstatement works to our bridle paths at Sweyne Park, Cherry Orchard and Hockley Woods when the areas have dried out.
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Until the areas have dried out its very hard to say exactly what is required to the areas. We usually top up the bridle paths with a granite dust type material which goes over the top of the larger sub base, and it may be that the path only requires this. If the areas have suffered substantial damage which has caused the sub base to be washed away then we would have to look at replacing the sub base and terram. It would surprise me if we have suffered this much damage as the path that washed away in the 24th August storms at Cherry Orchard (adjacent to the River Roach) still had the terram and sub base in remaining and only required the top redressing. Once the paths have dried out we?ll carry out a proper look and see exactly what work is required and programme it in to be carried out.
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You may also be interested to know we will be carrying out some work to the hedges in Sweyne Park. We will be lowering the hedges (to the height of the old ascot fencing) at the following entrances; the car park, Pooh House, Canterbury Close, Victoria Avenue, Priory Chase/Asda. We will also be reducing the section of hedge from Victoria Avenue to Priory Chase/Asda, if this proves successful we may look to reduce more sections of hedgerow in the future . This work is being carried out to improve visibility along the bridle path, to make it easier to maintain the hedge and to show off the view of the park & Rayleigh when you are walking/cycling/horse riding, along the path.”

About the author, admin

  • It’s not the only one. A lot of the bridleways are flooded/almost unusable at the moment. Not the Council’s fault, they can’t control the weather, but will they, I wonder, be looking at any more of them to see if remedial work is required once the weather improves. I fell over three times this morning on the stretch from Old London Road to the grit bays purely because of mud, which is so slippery the ground just goes away from your feet in places – at least the mud made it a soft if somewhat gloopy landing! and the dog was amused even if I wasn’t.

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