National Cycle Network Route 12 between Dancers Hill and South Mimms Services goes under the M25 in a culvert alongside Mimmshall Brook. This diversion avoided the cost of providing a direct underpass, but took the route to the lowest point next to the brook, where it is prone to flooding.
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| The old Wash Lane - Dancers Lane route was severed by the M25 in 1975 |
At the north end of Dancers Lane a new bridleway (No 71) was constructed alongside the motorway to a culvert. It goes through the culvert on a concrete platform next to the Mimmshall Brook, then continues to rejoin Wash Lane north of the M25.
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| Detail from the interpretation board at South Mimms Services |
The route needs to live up to this glowing description. Lack of routine maintenance is evident from the following photos taken since 2017.
Summer 2017
- Narrow, rough single track
- Recently mowed and passable
- Not easily cycled due to narrow width and poor surface...
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| May 2017: north end of Dancers Lane |
Earth has accumulated in this dip, which gets boggy in wet weather.
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| May 2017: Bridleway 71 on south side of M25 |
The bridleway runs for 225 metres parallel to the M25 to reach the culvert. Grass and blackthorn hedges have encroached at each side, but it was mowed in 2017 and there were no brambles growing over the path.
SUMMER 2018 (dry)
- Narrow rough single track
- Very badly overgrown
- Not rideable
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| July 2018: Bridleway 71 |
Grass, brambles, cow parsley and hogweed have not been mowed at all in 2018.
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| August 2018: Bridleway 71 |
By August it was so overgrown that bikes had to be pushed through.
AUTUMN 2018 (DRY)
- Very narrow single track
- Still badly overgrown - had not been mowed
- Not easily rideable by elderly, disabled, road bikes, tandems, trikes...
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| Bridleway 71: 13th Oct 2018 (a dry day) |
The annual cow parsley / hogweed has left tall stalks. Brambles and blackthorn remain.
AUTUMN 2018 (WET)
- Difficult, slippery ramps
- Temporarily flooded under M25
- Not easily passable on foot or bike
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| Slippery slope on south side of culvert |
After a wet day the steep 90 degree concrete slope down to the culvert is slippery, especially in cycling shoes.
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| Flooded culvert under M25 |
Inside the culvert there was a couple of incles of water on top of the muddy concrete platform. The water subsided within two days.
The brook flows north (towards the camera) and flooding is deeper at this end, where a lot of vegetation is blocking the flow. Flooding would be reduced if the brook was cleared out regularly.
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| Slippery slope on north side |
This S bend slope on the north side is very steep and is designed to go above a drainage pipe.
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| Wash Lane north of M25 |
Wash Lane is tarmacked and broad, but a few parts are getting overgrown and there are patches where water and mud are accumulating.
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| Wash Lane near South Mimms Services |
The surface improves going north from here to the junction with Swanland Road.
Autumn 2018 - with a trike
- Brambles across path
- Stalks and grass on both sides
- Slippery ramps and mud under M25
- Not easily walked or cycled
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| Start of bridleway near Dancers Hill |
Dead stalks and long grass on both sides of narrowed track.
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| Half way along the south side |
Trying to avoid brambles across path. Despite taking care and removing visible brambles, two punctures occurred along this bridleway.
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| 90 degree bend on southern slope |
Dismounting would be required here even if vegetation was cleared.
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| Slippery platform after flooding - no problem on 3 wheels |
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| Pushing up the northern slope |
Pushing a heavy bike or trike is awkward and requires strength. Not suitable for elderly or disabled users.
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| Bridleway to north of M25 |
More brambles on the bridleway leading onto Wash Lane.
Improving the ramps and culvert
The ramps are too steep and sharply bent, but there is room to realign them as these photos show:
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| Approach to southern ramp |
There is room on the left of this wooden fence to create a wider sweep, reducing the angle of the bend and the steepness of the slope.
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| Northern slope bends up and over this pipe |
We think the S bend could be straightened out by bridging this gap, creating a straight path with an easier slope.
A
complete set of photos is available.
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