Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network ... - Sustrans

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countryside for local journeys, and creates a regional network connecting settlements along its way. Approximately one-third is traffic free and the rest on traffic-calmed minor town and country roads. Traffic-free sections provide a suitable place for children and new cyclists to practice their skills. Many routes are also used by walkers, wheelchair users and, in some cases, horse riders. The project reaches all parts of the UK, benefits all sectors of society and has both a local and national significance. 2.3.2 The concept of cycling and walking as a method of sustainable transport was accorded national recognition in 1995 when the National Cycle Network became the first major, and truly national, project to gain the support of the Millennium Commission. Working in conjunction with Local Authorities and others to implement the practical work, Sustrans oversees the co-ordination, design and standards of the overall project. 2.3.3 The majority of the Network uses pre-existing paths or linear features of one sort or another, with very few completely new routes being created. A very small proportion, less than 15% of the entire Network, will require new construction. Many paths use disused railway lines and include restoration of some of their unimproved grassland embankments and cuttings. Over a typical length of disused railway, a 2.5 metre wide path will utilise under 10% of the area. This minimises the environmental impact of the Network, particularly from the construction process, and the disturbance to local wildlife that is often already accustomed to human activity. 2.3.4 The National Cycle Network, and in particular the traffic-free sections, comprises linear features that act as wildlife corridors linking habitats and species which would otherwise be isolated from each other. Further investigation into the use of the cycle and walking routes by wildlife would be valuable and Sustrans is involved in a number of research projects including the use of bridges along cycle routes by foraging bats. The Network also forms a valuable resource for nature education, and Sustrans aims to increase cyclists’ and walkers’ enjoyment of nature along the Network by enhancing habitat for wildlife, and through interpretation where possible. For sensitive sites, management plans are being produced to protect and enhance the route for wildlife as well as for users. These include short-term maintenance e.g. cutting regimes and timing, and longer-term management e.g. embankments and cuttings, bramble, hedgerows, etc. which incorporate maximising wildlife interest. The Sustrans NCN BAP is just one of a number of initiatives that Sustrans is developing to maximise the wildlife potential along its routes. Sustrans produces a series of information sheets, one of which, ‘Ways for Wildlife – wildlife, cycle paths and traffic’, is specifically targeted at the value of traffic-free cycle routes to wildlife. A copy of this leaflet can be found in Appendix 1. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 10
2.3.5 Map of National Cycle Network Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 11
Page 1 and 2: Biodiversity Action Plan for the Na
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Executive Summary 6 1. Int
Page 5 and 6: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 7 and 8: 1. Introduction to biodiversity in
Page 9: Project National Cycle Network Safe
Page 13 and 14: On-going key action plan items and
Page 15 and 16: Association, the British Horse Soci
Page 17 and 18: 7. Links with Local Biodiversity Ac
Page 19 and 20: 9. Habitat Action Plans 9.1 Hedgero
Page 21 and 22: grasses such as tor grass Brachypod
Page 23 and 24: Contribute to the implementation of
Page 25 and 26: Where planting is required in hedge
Page 27 and 28: 10.3 Badger Meles meles 10.3.1 Desc
Page 29 and 30: 10.4.2 Optimum survey time The opti
Page 31 and 32: 10.6 Great crested newt Triturus cr
Page 33 and 34: Loss of food plants for certain spe
Page 35 and 36: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 37 and 38: 12.6.2 Some bat species rely exclus
Page 39 and 40: 13.3 Japanese knotweed Fallopia jap
Page 41 and 42: seed. Young plants are easy to pull
Page 43 and 44: 14. Education and understanding 14.
Page 45 and 46: 16. Glossary HAP Habitat Action Pla
Page 47 and 48: Cumbria LA7 7NH Tel: 01539 567953 w
Page 49 and 50: Ways for Wildlife Wildlife, cycle p
Page 51 and 52: © David Hall © Toby Smedley Visit
Page 53: Appendix 2 - Phase 1 and 2 habitat

Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network ... - Sustrans

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