Changes to public access in and around Havant Thicket Reservoir site

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Portsmouth Water has announced changes to access at its Havant Thicket Reservoir site and in nearby woodland.

Fencing is in place around the site, to keep the public safe ahead of the main construction works starting in Spring 2024.

The bridleway running east to west across the reservoir site is also due to close. This will be no earlier than Monday 14 August and Portsmouth Water will confirm the date closer to the time. The alternative route will run north of the reservoir site, through Havant Thicket woodland (marked in blue on the map).

Many areas of the reservoir site will remain open to visitors throughout, in line with Portsmouth Water’s commitment to enable public access as far as possible during construction. This includes Memory Park woodland, which is next to Swanmore Road, Havant, as well as Gipsies Plain, on the eastern side of the site.

The route of the new Northern Access Route for the reservoir, which follows the path of an existing Forestry England track through Havant Thicket woodland, has closed to the public. The arrangement has been well publicised via signs on site and was planned in liaison with Forestry England, which looks after the woodland.

Local authorities have reviewed and approved the changes to public access, and these are being carried out in accordance with Portsmouth Water’s approved planning application for the reservoir.

Ruari Maybank, Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir Project Director, said:

“Our number one priority is safety which is why we have made changes to public access arrangements on site. We’re very grateful to our local communities for everyone’s patience and understanding as we implement these changes. We remain committed to maintaining safe access for visitors as far as possible during construction. That’s why Memory Park woodland and Gipsies Plain on the reservoir site will stay open.”

“We’re working to publicise the changes to access as widely as possible, including via social media updates, our regular e-newsletter and other communications activities. New signs are also being put up on and around the reservoir site and in Havant Thicket woodland, so that visitors understand where they can go. We would like to thank our colleagues at Forestry England for their support on changing access around the woodland.”

Once finished, Havant Thicket Reservoir will secure future water supplies and help protect rare and sensitive chalk streams in Hampshire, by enabling less water to be taken from them. It will also provide a new green leisure facility to benefit people and nature, with a new 5km network of paths for walkers, joggers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Portsmouth Water has announced changes to access at its Havant Thicket Reservoir site and in nearby woodland.

Fencing is in place around the site, to keep the public safe ahead of the main construction works starting in Spring 2024.

The bridleway running east to west across the reservoir site is also due to close. This will be no earlier than Monday 14 August and Portsmouth Water will confirm the date closer to the time. The alternative route will run north of the reservoir site, through Havant Thicket woodland (marked in blue on the map).

Many areas of the reservoir site will remain open to visitors throughout, in line with Portsmouth Water’s commitment to enable public access as far as possible during construction. This includes Memory Park woodland, which is next to Swanmore Road, Havant, as well as Gipsies Plain, on the eastern side of the site.

The route of the new Northern Access Route for the reservoir, which follows the path of an existing Forestry England track through Havant Thicket woodland, has closed to the public. The arrangement has been well publicised via signs on site and was planned in liaison with Forestry England, which looks after the woodland.

Local authorities have reviewed and approved the changes to public access, and these are being carried out in accordance with Portsmouth Water’s approved planning application for the reservoir.

Ruari Maybank, Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Reservoir Project Director, said:

“Our number one priority is safety which is why we have made changes to public access arrangements on site. We’re very grateful to our local communities for everyone’s patience and understanding as we implement these changes. We remain committed to maintaining safe access for visitors as far as possible during construction. That’s why Memory Park woodland and Gipsies Plain on the reservoir site will stay open.”

“We’re working to publicise the changes to access as widely as possible, including via social media updates, our regular e-newsletter and other communications activities. New signs are also being put up on and around the reservoir site and in Havant Thicket woodland, so that visitors understand where they can go. We would like to thank our colleagues at Forestry England for their support on changing access around the woodland.”

Once finished, Havant Thicket Reservoir will secure future water supplies and help protect rare and sensitive chalk streams in Hampshire, by enabling less water to be taken from them. It will also provide a new green leisure facility to benefit people and nature, with a new 5km network of paths for walkers, joggers, cyclists and horse-riders.