Turnpike Field Recreation Area

Recently, Audlem acquired ownership of the 11.5-acre parcel of land adjacent to Green Lane, the Shropshire Union Canal and Shropshire Street. Not only does this ensure that there will be no unwanted development there but this wonderful asset also offers a variety of valuable potential uses for villagers and visitors.

An obvious decision was to adopt the traditional name for the land – Turnpike Field. The name stems back from the historical toll-house that existed at the junction of Green Lane and Whitchurch Road. So, in the future it will be referred to as Turnpike Field Recreation Area.

To help plan and manage the development of the land, the Turnpike Field Working Group (TFWG) has been formed comprising of several Audlem Parish Councillors, aided and abetted by volunteers from the community:

Councillors: Steve Boyes, David Higham, Lynette Hopkins and Nigel Mottershead.
Community volunteers: Michael Cookson, Steve Elliott, Judy Evans, Neil Goodyear and Ralph Warburton

As plans for the field (which will be based on the inputs from Audlem village) are formulated, additional helpers will be undoubtedly be required.

Numerous suggestions have already been put forward at previous public meetings but 2 are of immediate urgency:

• green car park feasibility
• access for pedestrians close to the village.

Green Car park

So called because it maintains the appearance of a grass field, whilst facilitating regular and safe parking of cars. The provision of such a car park, which is based on support expressed by the majority of villagers present at recent open meetings, is to provide additional capacity for tourists and villagers as Audlem continues to expand. The existing gated access from Green Lane will need to be redesigned for this purpose.

The current activities of the Working Group are aimed at obtaining costings and planning approval for this and for a permanent, wheelchair friendly pedestrian access from Shropshire Street, as soon as possible.

Pedestrian Access

A temporary, non-wheelchair friendly, gated pedestrian access will be provided in the very near future, close to the canal bridge on Shropshire Street.

This will supplement the 2 existing access points where the public footpath crosses the field at its southern end, linking Green Lane next to Grey's Bridge, to the canal at Lock 11. Incidentally, this footpath is one of the oldest in Audlem as it was actively used in the 19th century as a route to Audlem Station.

Tree Survey

This was carried out a few days ago and included trees with a Tree Preservation Order. This was necessary for insurance purposes and, of course, Health and Safety!!

Himalayan Balsam Survey

This will be treated Spring 2019 as it is now too late in the season. A notice at each end of the public footpath close to the infested areas are to be placed advising walkers etc. not to touch or pull out the balsam as this would simply spread the balsam further. Its not dangerous – just a very invasive, non-native plant.

Further Information/Contact

In the coming weeks the TFWG will be inviting ideas from all Audlem village organisations and villagers so to produce a long term development strategy. Hopefully some of these ideas may have been obtained in time for the next scheduled public TFWG meeting on Thursday 28th February, Town Hall at 19:30.

Further news will be provided on an ongoing basis using newsletters, village notice boards, AudlemOnline and public meetings.

In the near future a new Turnpike Field website will also be created.

If you would like to contact us, our email address is: turnpikefield2018@gmail.com

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