Final Strawberry Line Management Plan

92 Pages·2012·11.8 MB·English

Strawberry Line LNR
MANAGEMENT PLAN

2012-2016

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CONTENTS

Page Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 4.0 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES
1.1 Purpose of plan 1 4.1 Site Analysis 36-37
4.2 Qualitative Assessment 38-41
2.0 POLICY CONTEXT 2-3 5.0 VISION, AIMS, OBJECTIVES & ACTION PLAN
5.1 Vision 42
3.0 SITE DECSRIPTION 5.2 Aims 42
3.1 Location and access 3 5.3 1 and 5 year priorities 43-44
3.2 Relationship to green infrastructure 4 5.4 5 year action plan 45-62
3.3 Ownership and Designations 4-5 6.0 FINANCE
3.4 History 7-8 6.1 Existing expenditure 63
3.5 Overview of the Strawberry Line today 8-9 6.2 Aspirations 63-64
3.6 Mapping the Strawberry Line 9-21 7.0 MONITORING & REVIEW 64
3.7 Description of Key Features 22-34
3.8 Detailed site statistics 35 APPENDICES
3.9 Existing management arrangements 36 Appendix 1: Partnership groups and their relationship to 65-66
the Strawberry Line
Appendix 2: Verge cutting prescriptions map 67-71
Appendix 3: Freehold and permissive routes map 72-73
Appendix 4: Woodborough Green map 74
Appendix 5: Gang Wall map 75
Appendix 6: Flora and fauna in the Winscombe area map 76
Appendix 7: Proposed milestone markers map 77
Appendix 8: CVRWS Byelaws 78-84
Appendix 9: Biddle Street SSSI Citation 85
Appendix 10: 2011 Public consultation results 86-90

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Strawberry Line Management Plan 2012-2016 January 2012

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose of the plan

The need for site management plans has been identified as a key issue in the recent Green Infrastructure Strategy for the District1.
This is the second management plan that has been written for The Strawberry Line. It covers the period 2012 – 2016.

This plan has been prepared following public a consultation (see appendix 10) in order to provide a framework within which all
future management is carried out; and enable any person involved to understand how and why decisions are taken. It identifies
specific objectives and priorities for management within the next five years, and sets out aspirations that may be delivered in the
future. For the detailed action plan, see pages 45-62.

Actions within the management plan will be taken forward by North Somerset Council in partnership with the Strawberry Line
management committee (see appendix 1 for list of representatives).

The structure of the plan has been developed using existing good practice including CABE Space’s ‘Guide to producing Green
Space Management Plans’2, and guidance within Green Flag3.

1 North Somerset Council’s Green Infrastructure strategy can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk

2 CABE Space promotes well-designed parks, streets and squares as a crucial part of our towns and cities. Its publications can be
found at www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=484
3 The Green Flag is the national standard for parks in England and Wales. More information can be found at
www.greenflagaward.org.uk

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Strawberry Line Management Plan 2012-2016 January 2012

2.0 POLICY CONTEXT

The Council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy is the primary document describing the need for management plans to deliver the
objectives for land under its management. It defines green infrastructure as:

“… the network of parks, open spaces, waterways, woodlands, trees, countryside, green corridors and the coastal strip
within and between our towns and villages, across the whole of North Somerset.”

The following relates to the key headline areas described in the Sustainable Community Strategy4 and the North Somerset Council
Corporate Plan5.

North Somerset Council’s corporate plan draws from the community strategy and highlights key aims for the council. The Green
Infrastructure contributes to a number of these priorities, including:

 Enhancing health and well-being
 Protecting and improving the environment
 Building safer and stronger communities

The council has also identified nine key areas where it plans to focus its efforts until 2011 and several of these priorities relate
specifically to the role of Green Infrastructure:

 Address environmental concerns.
 Make our streets and communities safer.
 Ensure development is well planned, with a focus on creating quality facilities and employment opportunities.
 Improve customer services.

North Somerset Council has a Play Strategy6 that identifies a number of important priorities for play in North Somerset. One of the
key priorities is to 'develop and improve more neighbourhood play opportunities in the parks and open spaces epically for the 10 -16

4 www.northsomersetpartnership.co.uk
5 http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8E8E9677-D982-4DA9-8468-
1AC17DB765E0/0/publication_20080820_CorporatePlan20082011.pdf
6 See http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Education/Childcare+learning+and+play/leafletsandpublications/play.htm for a link to North Somerset Play
Strategy
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year olds that are accessible, sustainable and to promote the use of the natural open spaces.' As stated in the Design for Play
guidance.

In 2006, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act was introduced for all public bodies to conserve and enhance
biodiversity 7 under this duty. To meet this obligation, the local authority needs to ensure that appropriate management for
biodiversity is undertaken on its landholdings. Green infrastructure management plans provide a practical mechanism for meeting
this obligation, as they include aspirations and actions for biodiversity.

Management of open spaces that contain locally important habitats and species can also contribute directly to aims of the North
Somerset Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) – Action for Nature.8 Management plans present opportunities to implement some
of the actions within the LBAP, so that priority habitats and species are taken into account in the management of green spaces.

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 Location and access (Map 1)

The Strawberry Line Heritage Trail follows the dismantled Cheddar Valley Railway Line from Yatton Railway Station (ST4265), to
the West of Yatton and Congresbury, running South to Sandford. The trail continues South through Sandford and Winscombe
(ST4157) to Shute Shelve Tunnel at the A38. The Strawberry Line continues beyond the A38 into Cheddar (Somerset), where it is
owned and managed by the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society (CVRWS).

The 8 mile long line is physically broken in a number of places by the A370, A368 and minor roads.

The Strawberry Line provides permissive access for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, with access points in the villages of
Yatton, Congresbury, Sandford and Winscombe. Parking is available in the villages of Yatton, Congresbury and Winscombe.
Horse riding is permitted on a trial basis on a one mile section between Congresbury and Sandford.

7 Biodiversity, or biological diversity, refers to the number of species of plants and animals in a given habitat.
8 See https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Environment/Conservation/Wildlife/ for link to Action for Nature

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3.2 Relationship to other green infrastructure

The Strawberry Line is an important green corridor in North Somerset, providing connections between towns and the surrounding
countryside. The line falls within the Somerset Levels and Moors landscape which is recognised as being nationally important for its
ecological and historical interest. From Sandford to the A38 the line runs through the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB). The line provides important habitats for a variety of locally and nationally important flora and fauna, and is
designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and Local Wildlife Site (LWS) for the majority of its length. There is a designated Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) between Yatton and the A370 at Congresbury which includes a number of UK BAP Priority
Habitats e.g. Reedbed and coastal floodplain and grazing marsh. Further south, the line adjoins Puxton Moor SSSI and there is a
Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Site (RIGS) within Shute Shelve Tunnel.

The line provides an important recreational facility for local residents and visitors, especially dog walkers and cyclists. It is
designated as part of the National Cycle Network and provides links with additional routes in this network, and surrounding public
footpaths - providing extensive access for sustainable travel. The line also attracts tourism from the wider area, and is enjoyed by
people who visit the line for recreation and rural retreat.

3.3 Ownership and designations

3.3.1 Typology

The Strawberry Line is designated as a “Green Corridor”. The Green Infrastructure Strategy states that the management of these
sites should maximise their social, environmental and economic potential.

3.3.2 Ownership

North Somerset Council (NSC) is the freeholder of the majority of the site from Yatton Station to the A38. Ownership of the line is
not continuous, but permissive access from other landowners allows a continuous route (see appendix 3).

3.3.3 Legal issues

The Strawberry Line is protected in the Replacement Local Plan under policy T/1 – Existing and proposed railway lines and T/8 –
Strategic cycle routes. The Replacement Local Plan Recognises the importance of the disused railway line for its nature
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conservation value and its recreational potential. The importance of the line will continue to be reflected in the emerging Core
Strategy.

The majority of the line within North Somerset Council ownership is designated as a LNR under Section 21 of the National Parks
and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and amended by Schedule 11 of the NERC Act 2006.

The Biddle SSSI which runs between Yatton station and the A370 (see map 1) was designated under the Wildlife and Countryside
Act (1981) in 1994. The SSSI includes the ditches and six metres on both sides of the ditch, measured from the tops of the banks.
Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) manages the nature conservation interest in this section under a 10 year
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement. The path is not managed by YACWAG but is the responsibility of NSC. See appendix
9 for the citation/reasons for notification. A separate management plan (Strawberry Line, Biddle Street SSSI section Habitat
Management Plan December 2007, Halcrow Group Ltd) has been written for the SSSI section as a condition of Natural England’s
consent for formalising the dual cycling and pedestrian route. Copies of this plan are held by NSC and YACWAG.

In addition to the policies outlined in the Local Plan the Strawberry line is subject to specific byelaws (see appendix 8).

The majority of the line (except the section between Sandford and Congresbury) is designated as a LWS, and Shute Shelve tunnel
contains an area of exposed tufa, which is designated as a RIGS. These are both non statutory designations that are included in the
Local Plan. Positive management of these sites will contribute towards NSC meeting Local Biodiversity Indicator NI197 targets for
implementing positive conservation management to ensure biodiversity enhancement.

3.3.4 Leases, covenants and land charges

There are various charges and covenants associated with the Land along the line. These are generally around accommodation
accesses that relate to the former railway line. Details are held by North Somerset Council.

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The Strawberry Line Draft Management Plan March 2011
Map 1 Location of Green Corridor

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The Strawberry Line Draft Management Plan March 2011

3.4 History of the Green Corridor

The Cheddar Valley Branch Line was built by the Bristol and Exeter Railway Company in 1869 and was amalgamated into the
Great Western Railway in 1876. The line ran from Yatton to Winscombe and on to Cheddar and Wells. After operating for nearly a
century, passenger trains ceased in 1963 and the railway finally closed in 1965.

Through natural succession the Strawberry Line has developed a variety of interesting habitats that are home to a diversity of flora
and fauna. The line has become an important Green Corridor for people and wildlife alike. Unlike most of the surrounding
landscape, it has not been subjected to intensive agricultural management - the rhynes are of high wildlife value and the grassland
and scrub provide habitats for mammals, small birds, amphibians and invertebrates.

In 1978, the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society (CVRWS) was formed with the aim of safeguarding the line as a long distance
recreational route and wildlife site. Following the purchase of the North Somerset Council (then Woodspring District Council) section
of the line in 1983, the CVRWS began work developing a walking route along the line and managing the railway corridor for wildlife.
In 1990 the Society went on to develop the route south to Cheddar as a walk and cycleway under the ownership of Sedgemoor
District Council.

In the 1998 the section of the line between Winscombe and the A38 at Shute Shelve (and on to Cheddar in the District of
Sedgemoor) was upgraded to provide a trail for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.

In 1994 the Biddle Street SSSI 9 was designated to include most of the section of the line between Yatton Station and the A370. In
1999 the Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group (YACWAG) was formed. YACWAG shares management responsibility with
NSC and Natural England for the SSSI section of the Strawberry Line. In 1999 the majority of the line was designated a LNR under
the North Somerset Local Plan.

Since 2003 NSC has worked in partnership with CVRWS, YACWAG, Mendip Hills AONB and Parish Councils to develop a large
scale project successfully securing grant aid to carry out the following:

 Surfacing improvements to the trail between Yatton Station and the A38 at Shute Shelve (with associated access controls) to
develop the line as a multi-user trail.

9 http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1006788.pdf

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Strawberry Line Management Plan 2012-2016 January 2012

 The purchase of part of the former station site at Congresbury to establish a continuous route.
 Construction of easy access ramps at Station Road, Sandford and Ilex lane and Woodborough Road, Winscombe.
 Installation of directional signage.
 Installation of solar powered lighting in Shute Shelve Tunnel
 Installation of Toucan Road Crossings on the A370 and A368.
 A variety of habitat management works including coppicing, hedge planting, hedge laying and rhyne restoration.

3.5 Overview of the green corridor today

Maps 2a - 2l show the existing layout of the green corridor.

The line is managed in partnership with a number of agencies and organisations (see section 3.9) and supports a diverse flora and
fauna. It is recognised for its ecological, historical and recreational interest, providing important Links between towns and the
countryside within North Somerset.

The Strawberry Line is divided into two distinct landscapes:

Yatton Station to North of Nye Road

 Biddle Street SSSI runs from Yatton Station to the A370 at Congresbury
 The surrounding landscape is characteristic Levels and Moors - flat, low-lying
pasture intersected and drained by a network of rhynes
 The track bed is on a slightly raised embankment with rhynes running either
side. Culverts allow water to pass underneath in places
 The rhynes support a rich variety of plant and invertebrate species both within
the water and on the banks
 The tall vegetation and reeds/grass/scrub verges between the rhynes and path
provide a valuable habitat for birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals
 Hedgerows and pollarded willows are a prominent landscape feature

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