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Souwes Survey

3XDecember 2024 by Strider

Route description

This avoids the issues with SouWes 1 (see reviews) but is broadly similar. It's a route of huge skies, drained fenlands, and many ditches and footbridges. For a while it follows the Mardyke Way, and there are also many very prominent fingerposts. In some places I've had to draw the route line by eye. I did my best to ensure important positions like turning and crossing points, or paths being on correct side of hedges, ditches etc. The surfaces are split between tracks, fieldside paths (clear from crops but might be muddy) and just a little road walking (in West Horndon on pavements and Fen Lane has a wide verge and clear views, about 1km total). Towards South Ockendon the "Bulphan Fen Solar Farm" is being installed (Jan 2024) and there were "Heavy Plant Crossing" signs on some tracks. You could break the journey halfway by heading east on Fen Lane to Bulphan where there is a very small shop, bus stop and pub, one review of WesBas 1 says this is fair road walking (verge). Both ends have takeaways, convenience stores, a pub (no food?), Essex bound buses plus train stations. Only South Ockendon is within the TfL Oyster zone for contactless/pay-as-you-go and TfL bus routes. https://www.thurrock-history.org.uk/MardykeWay.htm

About the surveyor

Coming soon.

Survey Contents

Grading

Path surface grading

3 Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections.

Accessibility grading

X Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.

Photos

Photos from surveys are coming soon.

Facilities

  • Not present at time of survey Public toilet
  • Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet
  • Not present at time of survey Supermarket
  • Not present at time of survey Restaurant
  • Not present at time of survey Vegan restaurant
  • Not present at time of survey Accommodation
  • Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50
  • Not present at time of survey Campsite
  • Not present at time of survey Bothy
  • Not present at time of survey Free wifi
  • Not present at time of survey Public phone
  • Present at time of survey Mobile Phone Coverage
  • Not present at time of survey Train station
  • Not present at time of survey Bench
  • Not present at time of survey Picnic table
  • Not present at time of survey Bus stop
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry

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Challenges

  • Not present at time of survey Scrambling
  • Not present at time of survey Wading
  • Not present at time of survey Swimming
  • Not present at time of survey Climbing
  • Not present at time of survey Stepping stones
  • Not present at time of survey Very slippery
  • Maybe present Very muddy
  • Not present at time of survey Very icy
  • Not present at time of survey Likely to flood
  • Present at time of survey Long grass sections
  • Maybe present Crops encroaching on path
  • Not present at time of survey Diverted path

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Obstacles

  • Present at time of survey Stiles
  • Present at time of survey Step and kerbs
  • Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
  • Not present at time of survey Flights of steps
  • Present at time of survey Gates
  • Not present at time of survey Kissing gates
  • Not present at time of survey Locked gates
  • Not present at time of survey Disables access gates
  • Present at time of survey Cycle barriers
  • Not present at time of survey Ladders
  • Not present at time of survey Cattle grids
  • Not present at time of survey Fords
  • Present at time of survey Narrow bridges
  • Not present at time of survey Ferry required
  • Not present at time of survey Acceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking
  • Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings
  • Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads
  • Present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads
  • Not present at time of survey Railway crossings
  • Not present at time of survey River crossings
  • Not present at time of survey Cattle possible
  • Not present at time of survey Horses possible
  • Not present at time of survey Tidal area
  • Present at time of survey Potential falls
  • Present at time of survey Exposed to elements
  • Not present at time of survey Remote area
  • Not present at time of survey Mountainous area
  • Not present at time of survey Military training area
  • Not present at time of survey No visible path
  • Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds
  • Not present at time of survey Other hazards

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Accessibility

  • Not present at time of survey Free of stiles
  • Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs
  • Present at time of survey Free of flights of steps
  • Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles

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Measurements

The narrowest part of the path is 40.00cm

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 4.00%

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 3.00%

The steepest camber gradient across the path 4.00%

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned

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Successfully completed

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Expert recommendations

  • Small Pug-sized dog
  • Small Labrador-sized dog
  • Large St. Bernard-sized dog
  • Standard pram
  • Off-road rugged pram
  • Standard wheelchair
  • Off-road rugged wheelchair
  • Standard mobility scooter
  • Off-road rugged mobility scooter

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Terrain

12.00% of the route is on roads

20.00% of the route is paved

10.00% of the route is lit at night

20.00% of the route is muddy

5.00% of the route is over rough ground

15.00% of the route is through long grass

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Report a problem with this data

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