A MINISTRY of Defence (MoD) team based at Longmoor has worked closely with Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Service to complete the final section of the Shipwrights Way.

The final section will run between Whitehill, Greatham and Liss.

As a bridleway, this path will always remain open –even during military training – and is for walkers, cyclists and horseriders.

Hampshire executive member for culture, recreation and countryside county councillor Andrew Gibson said: “Cyclists and horse-riders currently do not have access to this land so this would represent significant new access, thanks to the support of the MoD.”

In agreeing the final route and path design officers have been able to meet the training requirements of the MoD as well as taking into account the concerns of conservationists, residents and other groups who use the area for leisure.

The county council has formally decided to accept the bridleway dedication and a planning application has now been submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority, seeking permission to construct the path on the ground.

In addition to the new section, which will run over MoD land alongside the A325, it is planned to use existing cycle routes and pavement through Greatham, as well as Greatham Bridleway 11, which takes users southwards towards Liss Forest and crosses the A3 by bridge.

Cllr Gibson added: “We have worked with the MoD to find a route parallel to the A325 which will be attractive, which won’t interfere with training and which will complete the Shipwrights Way.”

Starting from Alice Holt, the Shipwrights Way passes through Bordon, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hayling Island and Portsmouth, finishing at the Historic Dockyard.