UCR: Fordwater/Riverside Road

Location: Fordwater Rd, Chichester, West Sussex, UK
  • Overall Rating: 1
  • Location: East Lavant, West Sussex.
  • OS Explorer Map 120, 'Chichester'.
  • Starting OS Grid Reference: SU864080
  • Starting GPS Co-ordinates: N50 86' 50" W000 77' 30"
  • Finishing OS Grid Reference: SU863068
  • Finishing GPS Co-ordinates: N50 85' 40" W000 77' 60"
  • To see: River LavantChichesterGoodwood.
  • ALWAYS follow the Greenlane Code!
Update 05/03/2016: An anonymous user (below) has posted an update! Apparently this byway is now almost completely blocked at its northern end. I can't imagine why you'd want to drive this one anyway, but from now on, really don't bother!

A bit of confusion exists for your explorers over the correct name of this byway: all the maps say Fordwater Road, whilst the sign at the northern entrance reads 'Riverside Road'. Can anyone clear this up?

It's also a bit of a misleading byway on the Ordnance Survey map, on which it looks as though it is possibly a through route, but essentially this byway is a dead end (for now). Starting from the northern end just west of Goodwood race course, it's pretty overgrown with a firm surface of mud over gravel. Very soon after passing the sewage works the River Lavant (also known at this point as Ford Water) appears to block further access, as the right of way seems to either change into a footpath that continues alongside the river on it's east bank, or, being a winterbourne, the River Lavant may possibly carry vehicular rights at this point and so act as the byway. The UCR certainly seems to enter the water here after all, but then there is no obvious egress from the river at the other end of the ford, clearly marked on the OS map.

Over the other side of the river, the byway quickly becomes the tarmaced access road for a housing estate. Not much of interest there, then, but nearby to the west lies the great city of Chichester, which is well worth a visit. Also nearby is Goodwood aerodrome and motor racing circuit, which I am sure needs little explanation.

Our green lane code states: "Don't drive water courses unless you absolutely have to and are certain there is a right of way." and therefore we insist that you do not drive this byway and certainly do not endorse entering the river until more information has been discovered and the status of this greenlane cleared up. Does anyone know any more about it? 

The byway appears to enter the River Lanvant here...
EDIT: I found this comment on another reputable green laning website, but that by no means clears it up for us, nor does the video from a trail biker below it:

It's hardly a primary source, but that website shows somebody called 'Roy' said about this byway....
"[The] southern end is tarmac down to where the lane actually becomes the river for 200-300 yards or so, this river (Lavant course) is usually dry in summer, but the outfall from the local wastewater treatment works runs in to this section close by, so it is flooded all year round! Can be deep in places, stick to bank side next to foot way, deep sections on other side from memory, you don't want to fall in this!! Northern end of lane now getting narrower due to lack of use."


View Fordwater/Riverside Road in a larger map

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's blocked now at the north end and is inaccessible. Don't try this as you can't get out and will have to turn round and go back on yourself.

Anonymous said...

It is possible to enter from the northern end by a small gap.
rode up the river, was ok to start with but got a bit deep, made it ok but need to keep to the path side

Dempo said...

Thanks for the update!

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