Boudicca's Way Project:
Boudicca’s Way
The Boudicca’s Way long distance trail stretches 36 miles from Thorpe Station in Norwich to Diss in South Norfolk. The purpose of this report is to highlight places along the route which need improvements to allow the passage of robust powered pavement vehicles. There are three basic areas of concern when surveying footpaths for easy access which comprise surfaces, signage and barriers. The requirements can be divided into two categories (E) Essential and (R) Recommended.
1. Norwich to Arminghall Lane
The first part of the trail runs from Thorpe Station in Norwich along side the river Wensum and out to Trowse. There was no evidence of any signage in the station or in the city although there was a sign for the Wherryman’s Way by the river. From the station we made our way along the riverside and crossed the Novi Sad bridge following the footpaths out to Trowse. There were no issues with kerbs as all crossing points had been dropped particularly notable on Bracondale across the bridge into Trowse which used to be a problem. In Trowse we turned right into White Horse Lane and one of the kerbs across Dell Loke could do with being dropped. In actual fact the trail runs across the recreation ground and the first Boudicca Way sign was on the exit gate on White Horse Lane. It is easier for power vehicles to stay on the footpath and go round the playing field rather than cutting across although it would be possible. Along White Horse Lane the pavement soon ends and progress is only possible on the road which is often quite busy. After a while there is a stile on the right hand side leading onto the trail which cuts across a field before emerging up a flight of steps onto Stoke Road. This section is a dog leg and can be avoided by staying on White Horse Lane and then turning left into Stoke Road. There are no pavements here and the traffic is dangerous. Going in the road you cross over the busy A47 on a bridge and almost immediately turn left into Arminghall Lane. A short way along there is a gap in the hedge on the right hand side signed with a finger post which marks the beginning of the rural trail proper. You have to go up a moderately high kerb and up a manageable slope to go through the opening in the hedge.
Recommendations
A route map in the station would be helpful and advertise the trail. (R)
One of the kerbs across Dell Loke could be dropped. (R)
The Kerb on Arminghall Lane could be dropped. (R)
2. Arminghall Lane to Arminghall
From Arminghall Lane through the gap in the hedge the footpath crosses a cultivated field. Between the field boundary and the crops is a gulley which is mostly impassable. Across the field between the crops the path descends to a gate which is 810mm at its narrowest point which happens to be the bracket for the return spring which sticks out and could be a hazard for tyres. Beyond the gate the path climbs above a quarry where there are great views back towards the city and county hall. The path here is narrow and can be overgrown if not cut back. As the route descends the surface becomes soft and sandy and is pitted with rabbit holes before a final incline leading into a field. Down across the field the path eventually becomes a green lane where the sign has been broken and continues running beside Arminghall Wood until it reaches a sharp right turn which is clearly signposted.
Recommendations
Bridge the gulley near Arminghall Lane with wood or metal plate. (E)
The bracket on the gate post needs to be recessed. (E)
The stretch of path which is pitted and soft needs shoring up and resurfacing with appropriate material. (E)
The way mark fingerpost needs repair. (R)
3. Arminghall to Shotesham
The path follows the course of the field boundary past a memorial bench and eventually crosses a ditch on a wooden bridge which has a slight step on to it. Up from the bridge there’s a ditch on the left which could be hidden if the under growth isn’t cut back. Eventually the path becomes narrow alongside a fence and the surface is rutted making progress difficult. Turning left onto the road (Caistor Lane) the path continues for a while before going up a steep stony ramp onto a wooden bridge across a ditch and into a field. Following the field boundary the trail crosses a sloping wooden bridge and after a while emerges into High Ash Lane. From here to way follows tarmac road all the way to Abbot’s Farm and is well signed. Following the route away from the farm past some woodland you then turn right into Naiden’s Lane. This begins fairly evenly if not a bit overgrown but gradually descends and the surface becomes very rutted and difficult for a distance before emerging onto The Street in Shotesham. Following the road towards the church the footpath starts again just down Roger’s Lane by the river. Over this section the way marked route diverges twice from the mapped route on OS237.
Recommendations
Fill in and build up surfaces adjacent to all wooden bridges. (E)
Place markers along the ditch edge for when it’s overgrown. (R)
The path leading to Caistor Lane adjacent to the wooden fence needs resurfacing. (E)
A solution to the stony ramp onto the bridge off Caistor Lane needs to be found. (E)
The lower end of Naiden’s Lane needs to be resurfaced taking into account that this path is also used by horses. (E)
4. Shotesham to Saxlingham
From Rogers Lane the path goes into the woods with the river on the right. It can be a bit muddy in the wet but tends to be more slippery than boggy in places. After a while there’s a narrow wonky bridge across the stream but it is possible to ford the river here. The riverbed is stoney and any problems encountered are more likely going up and down the banks. The path goes up through the woodland and emerges into a field at the top. Across the field eventually you pass through a gap in the hedge and over a small bridge and on towards some woods on a wide track way. Alongside fields and meadows you eventually come to a difficult to traverse gulley that can be very muddy. After this obstacle and a muddy path the way arrives at Stubb’s Green. Down the side of the meadow and then right by a cottage the path becomes a wide track between fields running down to a narrow bridge and stile and at the corner of Little Wood. At this point it is necessary to back track and go down to Market Lane where you can pick up the way further down at the north east corner of Little Wood. The path around Little Wood is both narrow and rutted in places due to the field being planted almost to the edge. Going south now after a distance the path cuts diagonally across a field to a bridge onto the high verge on Wash Lane. Across the road you enter another field following the route through to Saxlingham Green. There’s a old red phone box in the village which serves as an information point for Boudicca’s Way. The path goes north out of the village, which is not shown on the OS map, to connect with Hall Lane taking you through to Saxlingham Nethergate thus avoiding walking on the busy road that goes to Hempnall. There is an accessible bus service here connecting with Norwich.
Recommendations
Bridge the river with an adequate structure. (R)
Lay surfacing material at various places in the woods. (R)
Even the ground on the exit into the field. (E)
At the gap in the hedge and bridge even the ground. (E)
Even the ramp into and out of the gulley. (E)
Lay surface material in the gulley. (E)
Lay surface material on part of path leading towards meadow. (R)
Remove stile. (E)
Replace narrow bridge and even out approaches. (E)
Even approaches to bridge near Wash Lane. (E)
Ramp the verge on Wash Lane. (E)
Improve signage in Saxlingham Green. (R)
5. Saxlingham to Tasburgh
Follow the sign up Pitts Hill and turn off the road by the finger post. Along side the field the going is ok but when you come to a T junction there is no signage. Turning right the path is muddy in places when wet and eventually comes to Windy Lane. A short distance along the road the trail turns left onto a track into the Redwings Estate. Down the track some distance you encounter the first of thirteen inaccessible kissing gates. You must do a diversion round this by staying on Windy Lane, crossing the busy A140 and following Tasburgh Road until you pick up the trail again where it leaves the Redwing Estate. The rest of this section is on road or footpath through Tasburgh, back across the A140 and down Fairstead Lane. Crossing the main road into Fairstead Lane from Church Road is difficult and potentially dangerous.
Recommendations
Waymarking at the T junction is necessary. (E)
It may be necessary to grid surface some of the muddier parts of the trail towards Windy Lane. (R)
Across the Redwings Estate the 13 kissing gates need upgrading to be made accessible. (E)
Some surface improvements need to be made on the path through Redwings particularly rabbit holes and some quite uneven surfaces. (E)
Dropped kerbs and path improvements would make crossing the A140 into Fairstead Lane safer. (R)
6. Tasburgh to Tyrrel’s Wood
Along Fairstead Lane the route has been altered from the map to go down Chestnut Loke which isn't signed. There is a cable across the loke by the B1527 but easy to go round. Turn right and a short way down the road the way is signed again along a track. The surfaces are soft in places and eventually the track goes onto Brick Kiln Lane past Morningthorpe and right on to The Street beside Fritton Common. There are concrete filled oil drums across the path after the common and then the surface becomes very uneven in places with mole hills. From Anson's Lane the way goes across farm land which can be very difficult depending on crops planted up to hedges and fields being deep ploughed across the path. It's easier here to divert south down Anson's Lane and reconnect at Wood Green down Wood Lane. From Wood Green the path goes south with some bad but passable rutting arriving eventually into Tyrrel's Wood. In the wood there are some muddy patches and narrowing particularly around the inaccessible board walks. There is one almost impassable gully to cross before you continue and arrive at the car park in the southern end of the wood. Signing in the wood is inadequate when going south to north.
Recommendations
Chestnut Loke needs signing both ends. (E)
Path needs diversion down Anson's Lane and Wood Lane. (R)
Smooth out some of the rutting on approach to Tyrrel's Wood (E)
Some muddy patches in Tyrrel's Wood need stabilising. (E)
Deep gully in Tyrrel's Wood needs bridging. (R)
At least one additional sign post is needed in the wood. (E)
7. Tyrrel's Wood to Pulham Market
From Tyrrel's Wood car park turn left and follow Wood Lane turning right into Hardwick Road at the crossroads. Follow the finger post across the field, which can be badly tram lined, towards Foxholes. It may be necessary to divert on the road if the field is impassable. Going on to Duck's Foot Road the signage is concealed and not obvious. The path runs behind a hedge parallel to the road and crosses a bridge before turning right along a field margin. Again the signing needs improving. Follow the field edge before turning right down through the wood to an impassable bridge. It is now necessary to find your way to Barnes' Road to approach Pulham Market. The way comes into the village near the bowls club but there is another impassable bridge before a narrow footpath over some difficult roots. In Pulham Market the route passes by the Old Bakery nearby a way marker post.
Recommendations
Improve signage in the vicinity of Duck's Foot Road. (R)
Level earth kerb opposite Foxholes. (R)
Replace both bridges. (E)
Level out some of the tree roots. (R)
To be continued……