Council gives Kings Marsh byway in Farndon a makeover

A popular single track, green lane near Farndon has been given a makeover by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Council has completed extensive resurfacing work on the byway at Kings Marsh, just south of Farndon.

The route is a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT), one of only a few BOATs in the borough.  Use by 4x4 vehicles had left it deeply rutted due to the muddy, waterlogged nature of the track, rendering it impassable, particularly during the winter months.

It is an important route for cyclists, horse riders and walkers, as well as for 4x4 vehicles. It provides a traffic free means of getting from the A534 to Wetreins Lane, connecting up the Bishop Bennet Way to the north and south , and linking up footpaths to the east and west, as well as the byway, which continues south from Wetreins Lane.

The track serves as a useful wildlife corridor, with ditches on either side, and hedges containing blackthorn, hawthorn, elder, holly, grey willow and field-rose and many ancient trees.

To prevent damage to the root systems of these ancient trees Cellweb Tree Root Protection system has been used in the resurfacing works, it will also prevent further ruts forming on the surface, by distributing the weight of vehicles more evenly.

Cellweb is a no-dig solution that ensures the loads placed upon it are laterally dissipated rather than transferred to the soil and roots below. The walls of the ‘cells’ are perforated and when combined with the infill of clean angular stone, enable free movement of water and oxygen, ensuring that nutrient supplies to the tree roots are maintained. This will prevent ruts forming, and will protect the trees from root damage.

The work has been made possible this year, with the help from a generous contribution from The Green Lane Association (GLASS), who are keen to preserve the few remaining BOATs in the county.  GLASS is also committed to preserving the new surface and will conduct regular inspections, in order to ensure the new surface is standing up to vehicular use.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said:

“The Council has a duty to keep the surface of Public Rights of Way (PRoW) in a fit state for public use, and for this reason, work to improve the surface of this important PRoW was a priority when resources became available.  I’m delighted GLASS was able to help us restore this important route and that it will reopen again this week (14 October).”

Chris Mitchell, Chairman of the Green Lane Association, said:

“We were delighted to make a financial contribution towards improving the surface of this byway after it had become impassable. Our thanks go to Cheshire West and Chester Council for their willingness to work with us and for the opportunity to make a difference to all users who can now enjoy this route once again.”

It is hoped that in future passing places will be added along the track to allow vehicles to pass each other (and cyclists/horses/walkers) safely, as well as warning signage about the deep ditches either side.

Pictured - After the works on Kings Marsh Byway.