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We’re making tracks (From Salisbury Journal)
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We’re making tracks
1:00pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in New Forest News By Miranda Robertson
Fordingbridge mayor Malcolm Connolly watches district and county councillor Edward Heron cut the ribbon flanked by parish council chairman Peter Turner.
rESIDENTS and ramblers are now enjoying better access to the New Forest National Park, thanks to a new footpath created by Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service.
The council has been working closely with volunteers from the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society, Breamore Parish Council and the New Forest National Park to establish a route along the old Breamore railway line, to create better access to the north-west area of the park and avoid the need for people to walk on busy roads.
The new path will run from Burgate Cross to South Charford, passing through the Breamore train station and covering a distance of just under two miles.
The council’s executive member for culture and recreation Keith Chapman said: “With the opening of this path, not only will more people be able to access even more of Hampshire’s beautiful countryside, but they will also be able to do so on a safe, off-road route.
“By working together with residents, volunteers from the Ringwood and Fordingbridge Footpath Society, the New Forest National Park authority, Breamore Parish and Cranborne Chase AONB, we can create a safe route between Breamore and Fordingbridge for everyone to enjoy.”
Vicky Myers, the New Forest National Park Authority’s lead member for enjoyment, said: “This new path provides improved access for recreational users in the north-west area of the New Forest National Park.
“It is great that residents of Breamore and local walkers worked together to restore this old railway line, which will benefit so many people.
“The National Park Authority is pleased to have been able to support this worthwhile project that will enable people to enjoy such a picturesque area of the National Park.”
The railway station closed in 1964, one of many victims of Beeching’s cuts.
It remained standing, and unusually was not vandalised. The building was restored to provide offices within the last ten years.
