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Centurion Way Railway
Path
A route for
Cyclists and Pedestrians between Chichester and West
Dean |
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To
promote cycling and walking as healthy and
environmentally friendly forms of transport |
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To
provide an alternative 'traffic-free' route between
Chichester and the Downland villages for commuting
and leisure purposes |
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To
provide an excellent training ground for young or
inexperienced cyclists |
The Chichester
to Midhurst Railway was opened in 1881 to improve access to
London. The line included 3 tunnels and 8 stations, the most
notable being Singleton (due to its proximity to Goodwood
Racecourse). The railway's decline started with the withdrawal
of passenger services in 1935 and the line north of Lavant was
closed completely in 1957.
The section between Lavant and Chichester was used for the
transportation of sugar beet and gravel. However, this ceased in
1991 and the tracks were removed in 1993.
In 1994 West Sussex
County Council purchased the disused line south of Hunters
Race Lane and commissioned a feasibility study by
Sustrans. Funding for
the project also came from
English
Partnerships,
Chichester District Council, (who donated their section of
track bed north of Hunters Race Lane) and
Tarmac Quarry Products Limited
(who provided additional land to enhance the scheme and gravel
from their Lavant Pit as a base for the path). The name
Centurion Way was suggested by a local schoolboy and is based on
the fact that the path crosses the course of a Roman road.
Sculptures relating to aspects of local history were provided as
points of interest in association with the
South East Arts Board.
This initial section of Centurion Way south of Lavant was opened
in September 1995. In October 2000,
Sustrans completed a
second study into the path, investigating a possible extension
northwards to connect with West Dean, Singleton and the
South Downs Way. This
time this study was carried out in conjunction with Sussex Downs
Conservation Board as well as the County and District Councils.
The section between Binderton and West Dean was completed in
2001, and provided a route alongside the A286 Chichester to
Midhurst road. Work started on the remaining section between
Lavant and Binderton in April 2002, and was finished in October
of that year. At its northern end the completed path leads into
a network of quiet roads and bridleways leading on towards the
South Downs Way. At
its southern end, the path joins the South Coast Cycle Route in
Chichester.
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