Looe Valley Trails

Friends of Kilminorth Woods, a local environmental group, is increasingly concerned at the support being given by local decision makers to the development of a series of cycle trails centred on Looe, and in particular, the pinning of future developments (such as a Cycle Hub, and harbour extension) on what is currently a vague proposal, and which if carried through will negatively affect the environment.

We have yet to be re-assured by the answers to queries we have been raising since the project was first mooted, both concerning the SE Cornwall project as a whole, and specifically about the proposed route through Kilminorth Woods.

The Aim and Objectives of the Project.
The aim appears to be to create multi-use trails in order to attract additional tourists (500,000 a year) and to benefit local people both directly (with increased leisure facilities, for commuting) and indirectly (through economic development).

We think insufficient attention has been given to the disadvantages inherent in these objectives.

Multi-use.
Multi-use trails attracting large numbers of people of different abilities will inevitably lead to conflict between users. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders do not mix easily. Elderly walkers may not hear cyclists, cyclists may be interrupted by dogs, young families may feel unsafe meeting speeding or motorised vehicles.

Additional tourists.
Popular tourist spots throughout the world, including parts of the UK, are recognising that there is a limit to their carrying capacity. There were moves in the summer of 2021 to declare Cornwall “full”. The attractiveness of such places is reduced, and the damage to the environment can become severe.

Direct disadvantages to local people.
This may lead to a reduction of recreational amenities for local people, through being “pushed out”, or through reduced enjoyment. And surely, only an extremely small number of local people will find the proposed trails useful for commuting or shopping trips.

Indirect disadvantages to local people.
Any economic benefits of increased visitor numbers will be more than offset by increased pressure on scarce resources and local services – such as roads, water, housing, parking, waste collection, health services - and SPACE. There will be increased pressure on an already fragile natural world, which in turn impacts on the human population.

The Proposed Routes.
Access to Looe. Situated on the Looe estuary with a backdrop of the two wooded river valleys, the geography of Looe contributes to its attraction. But this geography inevitably means that access to the town can be difficult, involving steep slopes and river crossings. For this reason, any hopes of constructing a multi-use cycle trail culminating in Looe should first solve this access problem before attempting to plan or construct any routes to Liskeard or elsewhere. Major, and expensive, engineering work could be involved.

Use of roads.
Routes proposed so far will make substantial use of existing roads, including narrow winding lanes and busy highways. This will be dangerous for all road users. National guidelines (LTN1/20) are opposed to using roads for cycle trails, unless it is just a very short section linking longer sections of dedicated cycle tracks.

Kilminorth Woods section. Practical problems.
The proposed trail follows an existing path which on a map might seem an obvious choice. However, when assessed against national guidelines (LTN1/20) there are significant concerns that suggest this route is not suitable for a multi-use trail.

Access points.
Entrance gates would need to be removed to allow free access to the trail. Motor cycling is not permitted in this Local Nature Reserve, and currently there is gated access into the woods, in an attempt to discourage this. (There have been problems with motor bikes in the past.) How would motor cycles be excluded?

Steep gradients.
There are several sections with very steep gradients, making the route unsuitable for many within the anticipated multi-use group. The amount of construction work needed to reduce gradients would create considerable disturbance to the woodland.

Pinch points.
Similarly, there are a number of narrow pinch points where for safety reasons the existing path would need to be widened. This would involve removing trees and banks. This is complicated further in that much of the current track closely follows the route of the Giant’s Hedge ancient monument.

Sight lines.
Improving poor sight lines around bends would require removal of trees.

Vertical structures.
Trees growing close to the track are deemed hazardous and would need to be removed.

Steep drops.
There are steep drops alongside the track. This may mean bringing in material to infill and further widen the track, and/or building fences.

Surface.
The surface of the current track is not suitable for cycle traffic. Any introduced materials would need to be porous to cope with heavy rainfall, and guaranteed not to impact on the soils/flora/fauna of the ancient woodland. Run-off from heavy rain could still accelerate erosion of steep slopes, removing soil from the woodland and adding to deposits in the river.

Removal of leaves.
There is an expectation that leaves should be removed from a cycle track. A route through deciduous woodland such as Kilminorth would require road sweeping several times a year. Presumably if this is not carried out sufficiently there could be insurance claims in the event of accidents. So the surface would need to be robust enough to carry a road sweeping vehicle.

Combined use.
The path through Kilminorth Woods is already popular with walkers including dog walkers. LTN1/20 suggests that cycle traffic should be separated from pedestrian and equestrian traffic where conflict can be anticipated. Closing the current path to pedestrians would be very unpopular, as would requesting dogs to be kept on leads. Additional pedestrian paths might need to be constructed. Dogs could still run onto and along the trail; any fences constructed to prevent dogs accessing the cycle trail would seriously affect mammal movements throughout the woods.

Kilminorth Woods section. Environmental concerns.
Value of the LNR.
The ancient woodland has been of value to the local population for hundreds of years. Once a source of timber, it now provides a quiet refuge, away from the noise of traffic and town, notably throughout the hectic summer months. Especially during the last few years, so many people have come to rely on walks in the woods to maintain their mental health - restoring, calming, reducing stress levels. But even more, healthy woodlands are a vital part of our fight against climate crisis and environmental collapse.

Construction and maintenance.
Currently, maintenance is about ensuring the woodland is a healthy natural habitat, and sufficiently safe for users. It is clear that construction of a cycle track and its on-going maintenance will be noisy and intrusive, damaging the woodland for both wildlife and people.

Visitor numbers.
Responsible management of the woods has to include recognising that there has to be a balance between the needs of the natural environment and the demands of the human population.

Anti-social behaviour.
Littering, lighting fires, camping, riding bikes off-track, vandalising fences, all currently occur in the woods. Friends of Kilminorth Woods support the CORMAC Ranger to try to minimise the effects on the woodland. Although only a small minority of current users are responsible, their actions damage the environment and reduce the general public’s enjoyment of the woods. The cycle trail, encouraging large numbers of people into the woods, is bound to increase these problems, as well as introducing noise, putting additional stress on this fragile habitat.

Disturbance.
Disturbance is key. Wildlife needs space, with minimal human impact, in order to thrive. Increased disturbance poses a threat.

Any development proposals which could have even potential negative impacts on the existing natural environment, should not be allowed to go ahead.

Kilminorth Woods section. Public benefit.
The woods are maintained as a nature reserve and for the benefit of the public. But the benefit to the public lies in the reserve being a secure home for nature. Nibbling away, with a little development here and a little more disturbance there, risks eventually undermining the whole fragile ecosystem. As it gradually becomes degraded, so does its work of protecting soils, storing carbon, purifying air, contributing to our own physical and mental well-being. Its ability to provide a safe haven for a wide variety of flora and fauna becomes diminished: its public benefit becomes diminished.

Summary:

Friends of Kilminorth Woods cannot support the current proposals for cycle trails.

Re: Looe - Cremyll Route. It is very difficult to make out the route from the map provided on the website. Please can a better map of the route be provided in order to allow us to comment, as you are requesting.
I have concerns about the safety of cyclists on the narrow roads that seem to be included in the route. As a driver, I often encounter traffic going too fast in the opposite direction on the narrow/winding sections. I am concerned for the safety of cyclists who find themselves in the path of these vehicles. Neither do I like the idea of having to slow down to cyclists' speed on journeys because of the difficulty of passing cyclists on these same roads. At the projected 500,000 extra cyclists per annum this could be most/all journeys. (An off-road track on the seaward side of the B3247 road hedge could work in some places - even better with a wild flower strip on the seaward side of the track - but this would be expensive in a time of cash shortage.) If the route into Looe is Shutta Hill, this is residential especially at the bottom and extremely steep. I do not think that residents on foot will feel, or be safe, if cyclists are encouraged to use this route - some cyclists are bound to go too fast. I have found that it is not possible to relax as a pedestrian even on a flat multi use trail.
If we had a ready-made route, like the disused railway track for the Camel Trail, I would welcome the opportunity to cycle in this part of Cornwall, but we don't. People can already get out to explore the countryside on foot, using our beautiful footpaths, without the need to widen or straighten or flatten routes all at the risk of destroying the things that people currently enjoy. I really think that public money would be better spent elsewhere, especially now.

I understand the aim of this project is to mirror the success of the North Cornwall cycle links, including the Camel Trail, which attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year to the local area. I do believe however that comparisons with the Camel Trail, an abandoned railway line which is relatively level, safe and family friendly, should be made with caution.

The terrain around Looe, the area I am interested in, is hilly and difficult for all but competent and reasonably athletic cyclists and the proposed routes are sometimes potentially hazardous or pass through locations with a high environmental sensitivity such as Kilminorth Woods nature reserve and the West Looe river valley.

Much as I would like to support cycling locally, I question whether Looe has the appropriate geographical characteristics to ever become a successful and viable cycling destination and the public money spent trying to promote the idea would be better used elsewhere.

You are conducting a survey by inviting folk to 'Have your say on the recommended Looe to Cremyll route' but I can't find adequate detail of the roads being used. As you know from my previous query in October, I am interested in the route(s) out of Looe.

Hi, You say that details of the Looe to Cremyll route and potential enhancement opportunities are now available for comment. I’d like to provide feedback but the map provided does not appear to have any detail of the route(s) out of Looe. Where does it start and does it go up the hill of St Martin’s Road or up the Shutta or the Coastal path via the Wooldown or some other route?

Where possible, please separate cyclists from pedestrians, it is a nightmare walking with dogs where cyclists are whizzing by. We need spaces where welll behaved dogs can run and have some freedom. It’s not reasonable to develop facilities then only allow dogs on leads, whilst giving priority to cyclists. Im very excited about the project and look forward to walking on these routes. I hope there will be poo bins and a good cafe on route.

I'm supportive of the project and objectives it hopes to meet, I would like to see more off-road provision considered and proposed as young families with cycles/ strollers, dog walkers with multiple pets, groups of cyclists or runners for example do not have the facillity to alway mount a hedge to make way for passing traffic on narrow rural lanes. The safety considerations that extend to the A390 section and the more established routes will have to be supported effectively due to the speed and consideration (or lack of) that some road users exibt on these stretches of road if the investement in the project is gong to be valid and ultimately used by locals and visitors.

The idea of ‘multiuse trails’ sounds very good when applying for funding but in real life they really don’t work. As a mother of a horse riding daughter I know that horses hate bikes as they rush up behind them with no warning often causing horses to spook or bolt which can be very dangerous for riders. My husband and I are keen walkers often with the grandchildren but when walking on tracks or paths also used by bikes you can’t ever relax as you have to be constantly watching out in front and behind for bikes to ensure the kids or dogs don’t step out in front of a bike which could be lethal! On the other hand we do like cycling on dedicated bike trails with the grandkids especially if the trail is nice and flat with few inclines. I really think multiuse trails should be avoided on safety grounds.

So much of the trail appears to be on the road (the red route option). As a rambler and dog walker this is not very usable for me. I know it is not easy to provide off road routes but there will be more take up of the route if there are more off road options.