Huge project to restore popular boardwalk in Woolton Hill almost complete

A project to improve a popular woodland trail in North Hampshire is almost complete.

Last year, a plan came together to completely refurbish the boardwalk connecting Trade Street to Fullers Lane in Woolton Hill in the parish of East Woodhay.

And now, countless volunteer hours later, the second phase to replace and install 120 metres of boardwalk is expected to be completed by the end of May.

The project became necessary after boards and supports from the previous boardwalk, installed about 20 years ago, began to rot and become unsafe due to the boggy terrain beneath.

But with £10,000 from East Woodhay Parish Council and £15,000 from Hampshire County Council secured and a National Landscapes grant, £70,000 was raised for materials to build a new boardwalk consisting of timber and recycled plastic, expected to last up to 70 years.

East Woodhay Parish councillor Mark Rand explained the project’s importance.

He told newburytoday: “This was in such a mess previously. It was slippery, it was broken, it was falling apart.

“Now it’s a bit wider, it's got edging. It's incredibly well used.”

The route is known for its flora and fauna and native daffodils on display in springtime.

HCC’s community engagement ranger for the West Access team Gemma Clinch said: “This structure is going to last the community a long time.

“And when it comes to looking after it, if some of these boards rot out, it’s a simple procedure of undoing the screws and putting another one in.

“It’s cost so much because we've been using plastic. If we had gone solely with timber, it wouldn’t have cost as much, but we’d be back in 10 years doing the same thing.”

The boardwalk is a public right of way on land mostly owned by the county council, which will maintain it going forwards.

But none of this work would have been possible without HCC’s ranger team and dedicated volunteers, who worked through wet and winter conditions.

“It’s the volunteer power that I want to celebrate,” she added.

“It’s people who just want to give something back during their retirement and feel they are still of use.

“We’re very lucky we’ve got the amount of people we have.

“Some county councils are literally running on two rights of way officers and contractors only.

“And that means they don’t have the manpower or time to build a volunteer team.”

Neville Pickett and Steve Bailey, both from Basingstoke, explained why they have volunteered for the council for the past five years.

Mr Pickett said: “I was a carpenter and joiner years ago. Now I’m retired. It’s got me back out.

“[The current project] was better once we got through the mud. It was exhausting to walk in.”

Mr Bailey added: “This is very therapeutic for me. I was an electronic scientist and engineer, so I’m enjoying every minute.”

Volunteers transported the materials, weighting 20 tons in total, down to the site by hand and using wheelbarrows in November.

Metal railings will be added to some parts as well as ramps at either of the boardwalk.

Both councils thank neighbouring properties for their continued patience.

The route is thought to predate the Kinder Scout mass trespass of 1932 when hundreds of walkers protested against wealthy landowners denying public access to open countryside in Derbyshire. But it is probably much older.

Footpaths are often placed to lead to specific areas.

Trade Street was previously home to a pub and post office, which could explain why the route evolved into the cherished local amenity it is today.