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Radford Park - Jen (16th Dec 2013 - 15:54:28) As a regular visitor to Radford Park I am very pleased to see that coppicing and clearing of the undergrowth is currently on-going. However what a shame that as there are obviously some funds available that the state of the footpath at the Locke Road end of the park is so poor. It is barely passable. The slightest bit of rain and it becomes a quagmire, particularly near the bridge and steps from Locke Road. The surface in much of the area is either extremely muddy or even dangerous where the path has eroded on the soft areas leaving small pieces of hardcore sticking up ready to trip us over! Another problem in the same area is that trees have been blown over into the river nearly blocking the flow of water so this is causing the river banks to erode much faster. It is possible to envisage the path actually disappearing in the near future. I don't mean to sound like a grump - the existence of Radford Park is great for us local residents. But it could be so much nicer!

Re: Radford Park - dawn (17th Dec 2013 - 11:59:27) I do hope that you will send this info into the Parish Council.

Re: Radford Park - Godricuk (17th Dec 2013 - 13:09:55) well said , as a regular user I agree entirely - it's long overdue for some improvements at the east end of the park - perhaps the council could include this either in the end of financial year tidyup works or put some funding in for improvements next year ...and hopefully the works can .during next summerCan we have a responce from the Parish council please?

Re: Radford Park - dawn (17th Dec 2013 - 13:26:22) The PC respond to comms sent to them at the Parish Office. You can visit, phone, email or write in.

Re: Radford Park - Jen (17th Dec 2013 - 14:13:20) As Dawn has suggested I have emailed the parish council separately. I await a response with interest. If other users of the park, dog walkers etc, agree with my comments I would be very pleased if they could also respond otherwise I fear my comments will be falling on deaf ears!

Re: Radford Park - Paul Robinson (17th Dec 2013 - 15:38:23) Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread. May I, as Chairman of the Parish Council Recreation Committee, reply to some of the questions asked here. The pathway between the Radford Park car park and the new steps near Locke Road is a problem that has been with us for many years and one that we plan to address in the spring of 2014. The annual inundation of water that reduces the area to a bog is due to a spring that rises near the inspection hatch and the fact that the walkway follows the original path of the river beneath the bank at the rear of the houses. This will only be addressed by digging some form of drain to take the water away and / or building up a hoggin path above the seasonal water level. This work will need to be done professionally and will cost a considerable amount of money. Some funding is already in place but more will be sought in the form of a grant to deal with this area and also to address the uneven path way that runs from the London Road 'River Gate', along the river bank flanking the Bramshott Place border. During the so-called 'Great Storm' in November we lost six large trees in the park and these have been dealt with. The trees in the river bed have been there for some time and were recently complimented when an officer of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust visited the park. It seems that they approve of such casualties as they provide an excellent habitat for birds such as Kingfishers and Dippers. We on the Recreation Committee share your enthusiasm for this valuable village feature and that is why, after a period of neglect we are investing a considerable amount of money in improving the access to the park with three new sets of steps and the proposed improvements to pathways and also in time. We have formed the Radford Park Working Party and have identified areas that require particular attention. We Plan to make a start on Saturday 11th January 2014 when we will be concentrating on clearing small trees, brambles and shrubs around the green area and down the river bank. All are welcome to join. Please see posters for more information. Paul Robinson

Re: Radford Park - godricuk (17th Dec 2013 - 18:06:55) I am very pleased to hear of the parish coucil plans. Re the spring and the boggy area I would support getting a professionals advice in order to ensure the precious public money is wisely spent but surely a series of small shallow drainage ditches would be very effective and could be easily achieved by the park group without great expence? The very similar path connecting Liphook road and midhurst road in shottermill has an all seasons raised timber walkway which is very effective across the boggy ground - I believe it was cheaper than building up the hoggin path which was a continuing maintenance problem . Whatever the solution I am sure it will be beneficial to the park and it's users.

Re: Radford Park - Ed (17th Dec 2013 - 18:39:25) The erosion of the river bank is due to dogs scrambling out of the river, it is evident near the steps from Locke road and also near the bridge by the pond. This has been seen as a problem for some time. Keep up the good work by clearing the trees, remember this was a meadow.

Re: Radford Park - Jen (18th Dec 2013 - 10:17:29) I am pleased to read the comments from Parish Councillor Paul Robinson that this is a long recognised problem. However if the expense is holding back any works I think alternatives should be considered such as Godric's example of the solution used at the river in Shottermill. Regarding Ed's comment that the erosion of the river bank is due to dogs scrambling in and out this may well be another cause of the rapid erosion but the result is the same. If the path in that area is to be saved the bank needs to be protected in some way. I read with interest the call for volunteers to help tidying up the park however I see it is to work on the other end of the park which already seems quite reasonable compared to the Locke Road end. It would be great to see some more volunteers in addition to the Liphook In Bloom stalwarts for this type of work. I wish you good luck and hope to be able to attend.

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