Track resurfacing in Wanstead Park
Late January 2011 saw the beginning of resurfacing work on the track that runs from the Park Road access to Wanstead Park along the north edge of the Heronry Pond and up Warren Lane to Warren Road.
View of site works from Park RoadThat part of the track which follows the eastern boundary of Wanstead Golf Course between Heronry Pond and Warren Road – which I have called Warren Lane for convenience – was itself resurfaced earlier last year, and the new surfacing will presumably be of similar width and material.
I did question the necessity of resurfacing Warren Lane, as I have never perceived it to be a difficult surface to walk on, nor – I would suspect – difficult to cycle on. Albeit it appeared to be a consolidated earth surface, it was quite smooth, quite firm and only in on or two places subject to mud after wet weather. It was also quite wide: easily enough for a pushchair and a cyclist or pedestrian to pass each other. (see here)
"...improve your cycle path"
Similarly, that stretch of track along the north edge of Heronry Pond was a good surface, for walking and cycling, and although not as wide as the surface in Warren Lane, passing has never seemed a problem. It is only a few years old, anyway, I believe. And this was the track by which, in July last year, a lovely stretch of short and insect-haunted grassland was scalped. (see here) I think I may see why now; was it in preparation for the barrier-fence whilst the present work is going on? You see, that is where the people have to walk for the moment.
However, from the end of the pond to Park Road, the track narrows to pass between encroaching vegetation, and the surface in places can be muddy and even. In other words, it perhaps warranted resurfacing and widening. So why spend money doing all this work, when the majority doesn't really need it?
The route along the north edge of the pond
I ask that question because there are a couple of things that worry me. The notices displayed at the way-leave gates by Park Road – where the track begins – and at the Warren Road and Wanstead Park Avenue entrances to the Park refer to this as improvement "to your cycle path". Is that what it is? I may be being picky, but surely it is a dual-usage path? And I am being picky because there is also a strong campaign to allow cyclists to use routes within Wanstead Park proper – that is, the portion within the fenced surround. At present, bye-laws prohibit this, although those bye-laws are frequently broken.
Now, the arguments for-and-against this are up for discussion. The present suggestion is that a route between Wanstead Park Avenue and Warren Road would be of great benefit to cyclists, alleviating a long detour around Heronry Pond and encouraging an eco-friendly and safe route between Aldersbrook and Ilford. This argument has a lot in its favour, and presumably – from a pedestrian point of view – might have an added bonus in that the cycles would need an upgrade of the present silly surface between the ponds!
Mud and ruts for pedestrians - a typical scene within the Park
But there we have it – from a pedestrians point of view. Because after I had a look at the construction work going on for the “cycle path”, I walked down to the Grotto to see the work that had gone on there, and continued along the west edge of the southern arm of the Ornamental Water, ie between the Grotto and the Dell Bridge. A pedestrian nightmare - as is the opposite edge of the southern arm, where something like porridge has been laid as a surface. The track I was walking on (not officially accessible to cyclists) is a morass of mud and vehicle-churned ruts. This is common in the Park, and makes my visits so often a displeasure and – really – a pain.
The upshot is – why have pedestrians become the losers in this allocation of surface renewals? What with horses in the Exchange Lands and the potential of cyclists in the Park – what is being done regarding the inummerable problems that pedestrians have in and around the Park? Oh, yes; the Wren Group did some work on opening up bramble-grown paths by Northumberland Avenue, by the Shoulder of Mutton, and in Chalet Wood. Well done the Wren Group: one up for nature and pedestrians!
Paul Ferris, 30th January 2010