South Downs Way - Reconstruction Works

Section of Unclassified road between the A32 and public footpath (058/25) forming part of the South Downs Way National Trail, Shavards Farm, Exton, Hampshire. Grid Ref: SU 618 212. Please see Map 1 below. This section of the trail is locally referred to as the ‘Grinch’.

During the winter months and we have had a fair amount of pressure from South Downs Way’ users and local rambling groups to improve the surface condition and drainage of this section of Unclassified road.

The winterbourne stream (runs parallel to the South Downs Way) that flows east to west from Garden Hill Lane to the A32 has become silted up and vegetated over the last couple of years. This affects the South Downs Way during the winter months as the stream channel is too shallow to hold the volume of water passing through, which then ends up flooding the trail. The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) has, over this year, carried out some work to mitigate the effects of the poor drainage situation yet further work is required.

Unfortunately, over the last two years, during the winter, we’ve diverted people along the alternative SDW route because it has been impassable with surface water and is very muddy and difficult to negotiate for several months into the spring.

In terms of improvement work, we’d like to resurface 230 metres of the National Trail which would also involve raising the surface level by 300mm in order to reduce the impact of the localised flooding on the trail. This would provide a firm and stable surface for walkers during the wet season and will hopefully enable the trail to remain ‘open’/useable during the winter.

Additional information: Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No https://in-tendhost.co.uk/southdowns/aspx/