A 10-year long argument about the old railway footpath that runs alongside Embankment Road in Bembridge appears to be over, with the imminent reopening of the path in the New Year.
The British Rail branch line to Bembridge was closed in 1953. Since the lifting of the rails, it has been used as a welcome footpath giving a quieter walk than the Embankment Road, whilst offering glorious views of the ponds and wildlife.
Despite this age-old access, in more recent times the path has been the subject of much discussion with the local RSPB who wanted new restrictions imposed on the path. This was despite the Environment Agency seeing the area as ripe for visitor access.
Due to these difficulties, a local resident of St Helens, Nippy Wade, set up a petition to regain recognition of the path as a public right of way. Nippy comes from a long line of local boat builders and played all over the marsh as a nipper. He argued the path had always been used by local people since the railway closure and, as such, met the criteria for a public right of way.
A petition and application to the Isle of Wight Council was submitted nearly 10 years ago – but not much happened since. He joked at times about how he wondered if he would still be alive to see its reopening.
However, his application has at last been successful with a deed of dedication signed by the Isle of Wight Council, RSPB and Bembridge Harbour Authority in August of this year.
Yet frustratingly the path is still not open. There was discussion about the route of the path at the Bembridge end, which was solved by the Harbour investment company allowing the path to follow the original route alongside the houseboat owners’ car park.
The Council agreed to pay for new fencing and a local working party, organised by the Harbour Farm Nature Group, cleared away the years of bramble and old waste that had been tipped there, quickly filling up a huge skip kindly paid for by Bembridge Parish Council.
That clearance left a newly uncovered, very steep bank down – far too steep to scramble down. Once again, the Isle of Wight Council came to the rescue and paid for a set of wooden steps installed on Harbour Authority land.
Andrew Holman, chair of the Harbour Farm Nature Group, has said:
“Yhis has been an astonishing act of perseverance by Nippy Wade, without him we would have much less public access to nature than we have now. And this path is just the start, we will continue our battle to gain access to the old farm for a nature walk and other bird watching facilities for the benefit of all.
“Before the path opens, we just need a Parish Council dog poo bin and some signs pointing the way. The Nature Group is also adding signs reminding people of the law on not allowing dogs to disturb wildlife in this most sensitive of areas.”
The Group and the Parish Council plan to hold a public opening ceremony to mark this occasion in the New Year. This will be followed up with their plans to extend the footpath further. It is hoped that the path can be re-opened right up to the back of Spinnaker Chandlery.
Potentially disastrous for the wildlife living here. How long will the kingfishers, greenshanks etc. hang around once dogs start jumping in the ponds? Harbour Farm is a very sensitive area with rare species such as bittern living close by, public access should not be allowed.
Kingfishers and all the other wildlife were living there 45 years ago when we used to walk the path with our dogs. We used to fish the big lake, which contained very large carp, and Eels amongst many other fish. So it’s not potentially disastrous at all. As a compromise maybe dogs should be kept on leads.. well done Nippy wade
Majority of dog owners don’t keep their
dogs on a lead.
Fine the dog owners who don’t.
Go to RSPB Minsmere or any reserve on the mainland and you’ll see bird hides and nature walks.
Its well know how to mix people and wildlife, for the benefit of both, ridiculous to suggest otherwise.
Indeed wildlife needs people involved and informed to ensure their futures.
Trying to lock up an area with spurious arguments just antagonises people. Hence Nippies right of way application for this path.
Whilst including people means funding and a future.