Introduction
The project was set up to look into the development of a Greenway network on the Isle of Axholme, (possibly using derelict railways as a central backbone) which would help to maintain the area's unique access, linked to its historic landscapes.
Aim
To enable the residents of the Isle of Axholme (and particularly those living in Haxey village) to put forward their ideas and suggestions on the proposed Greenway for the Isle.
Objectives
1. To develop Greenway designs appropriate to the needs of the local people.
2. To identify problems and opportunities for the future development of the Greenway.
3. To develop a group of local community representatives who would be more directly involved in the future development of the greenway.
The Aim and Objectives given in the first phase of this report were redefined following the events outlined in Haxey. The revised aim and objectives were:
Revised Aim
To consult the residents of the Isle of Axholme on the unique access on the Isle and how to maintain and improve it in relation to its unique landscape history and ecology.
Revised Objectives
1. To identify problems and opportunities for the future of access on the Isle of Axholme
2. To develop access prorposals appropriate to the needs of all the key stakeholders, including local people and visitors.
3. To develop a group of key stakeholder representatives (including local people) who would be more directly involved in the future management of the access.
The development of a Greenway may still play a role in this development but is not a pre-requisite.
Description of the Area
The consultation was about the development of a Greenway network throughout the Isle of Axholme and beyond. The Isle is a historically fascinating area in North Lincolnshire through the middle of which runs a disused railway track bed formerly built to aid transportation of farm produce to market. The area is still an extremely important farming area, dominated by wide flat open expanses broken by areas such as Axholme, which are former islands prior to drainage in the 17 century. There are still a number of important and interesting land-use practices including strip farming and associated traditions. there are a number of other interesting visual landscape features around the isle including some impressive churches and a number of old windmills. The area is probably best known as being the home of Methodism and for the large numbers of coached visitors, many from America, visiting the area.
The current railway track has become quite overgrown and provides an important visual belt of trees and shrubs through the landscape as well as an important wildlife corridor in an open field system. It is currently used by walkers and cyclists on an informal basis and is seen as an important wild recreational asset to local people.
Along the route are a number of features including the recreation area near Epworth, which has open grass, a play area, toilets (known for undesirable activity) ponds, car parking and picnic benches.
There are numerous linking footpaths, small public lanes and farm tracks along the route which runs north-south through the 'island'. North of the 'island' is the M180 (which may be passable in the future and allowing links to a National Sustrans route, which runs east - west approximately 40 miles north.
The track bed is still quite solid but has drainage problems in a number of places. Some of the bridges have now collapsed and around the Epworth area, part of the track is now lost to commercial development. Whilst much of the track bed is owned by the Council, there are exceptions and again the main area of concern is around the Epworth area.
Methodology
The process was run by Ian Goldthorpe from the North Lincolnshire Council and supported by Steve Evison of NIF.
A number of elements were included:
1. Initial mailing around key interest groups and others in the area who had expressed an interest.
2. A training event for local facilitators and local government support staff. In the event, this only occurred in Haxey (due to the poor initial response to requests for supporters/facilitators).
3. Model making of the village centre with Haxey Primary School prior to the first event.
4. A simple interactive exercise with Haxey pupils to discuss possibilities - focused on the railway line through the village.
5. Children at all the local schools made simple card cycle hats with the dates and venues publicised on them to take home and show their parents.
6. All day Planning for Real events at Haxey, Belton and Epworth, all of which started around 10.00am and continued into the evening - generally 7.30pm
7. Interactive mini Planning for Real event type activities with primary school children at both Belton and Epworth.
8. Informal discussions with local residents, shop-keepers and others in all three villages.
Telephone: 01724 297387 or 01724 297388
Email: Tim Allen or Bob Dawson or Pete Bailey
