On 05th June 2012 I performed an inspection ride
of NCN52, between Higham-on-the-Hill and Attleborough, Nuneaton. The ride was
dual purpose; 1, to check the state of the Weddington Country Walk / Coventry
Canal off road section and 2, to perform a reconnaissance ride of the braided
section of the route that passes through the town centre. The latter was to
make recommendations for possible renumbering, as per current SUSTRANS practice
concerning split or braided routes.
My findings were as follows:
A.
The Weddington Country Walk (WCW) is overgrown
in two places:
1.
Weeds are crowding the path in places between
the A5 and A444.
2.
Where the path near Sandon Park becomes very
narrow, Hawthorne & Nettle are growing through the fence on both sides,
making riding quite hazardous
B.
There is a lot of damage to signage (see
photographs) along WCW thus:
1.
Reminder sign damaged at farm track over bridge
near A5.
2.
Damage to “Busy Road” warning sign near A444.
3.
Signs damaged or completely torn away at Sandon
Park.
4.
Graffiti over sign on Stoney Road.
5.
Signs damaged at entrance to Coventry Canal –
Midland Road.
C.
The Railtrack improvements and diversion of
railway lines, means that the Stoney Road area is in a state of constant flux
and will be for a considerable amount of time. This will cause requirement of
frequent updates to signage.
D.
There is very little signage along the Coventry
Canal in either direction, this requires rectification. Signs that are in place
are damaged or covered with graffiti.
E.
The signage of the “alternative” braided route, via
Nuneaton town centre is rather sporadic and ambiguous running in a Southwest
direction; running Northeast, some of the signing is almost non-existent.
F.
At Pingles Park (The Wem Brook Trail) the white “National
Cycle Network” direction signs (as shown in Photograph 6) have all suffered
damage, most missing at least 1 arm some having none.
I conclude that the on road route via Nuneaton town centre,
is possibly the more viable route to sign as route 52. I suggest that the route via Weddington Way,
Sandon Park, Stoney Road and the Coventry Canal could be renumbered as NCN (52) or (52A) or Regional Route
RCN (52) or (52A). This should
be applicable between where the route diverges at the A444 Weddington Road and
where it reconverges, with the Coventry Canal at the Shepperton Business Park.
This option will require less expenditure for replacement of signs.
I am prepared to perform some of these corrections, between Higham-on-the-Hill
and Shepperton Business Park, but I also think that the Nuneaton group should
have a chance to share in the improvements.
Kev Regester – West Leicestershire Ranger – NCN52 Weddington
Way
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