Chase Road Options Appraisal Public Consultation

Introduction to the Chase Road Options Appraisal

The Cannock Chase Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Partnership is exploring different approaches to managing public motor vehicle access along Chase Road. This consultation provides an opportunity to understand why the project is being undertaken, learn about the options being considered, and share your views.

Cannock Chase is both a nationally important landscape and an internationally protected nature conservation site. The Special Area of Conservation designation recognises the importance of its rare heathland habitats and the wildlife they support. At the same time, Cannock Chase is a valued place for walking, cycling, horse riding and enjoying the outdoors.

As visitor numbers have increased over recent years, pressures on some parts of the landscape have also increased. Evidence gathered through visitor surveys and ecological studies indicates that vehicle access and roadside parking along Chase Road can contribute to habitat fragmentation, the creation of informal paths, and disturbance to sensitive wildlife.

The purpose of the Chase Road Options Appraisal is to consider whether changes to public motor vehicle access arrangements could help reduce these impacts while continuing to support public enjoyment of Cannock Chase.

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Why Chase Road?

Chase Road passes between the Sherbrook and Oldacre Valleys, which are among the most environmentally sensitive parts of Cannock Chase. The bridleway currently provides access to several small car parks and informal roadside parking locations.

Over time, this dispersed pattern of arrival and parking has encouraged visitors to access surrounding heathland from numerous locations, contributing to the development of informal desire lines and increasing pressure on sensitive habitats.

Managing how people arrive and move through this area is therefore an important part of protecting the Special Area of Conservation and supporting the long-term health of the landscape.

What has the Options Appraisal done?

The Options Appraisal has examined a range of possible approaches to managing public motor vehicle access along Chase Road, from retaining vehicle access throughout the year to introducing different seasonal or location based arrangements.

The appraisal process included:

• Reviewing the environmental sensitivity of the area and evidence relating to visitor impacts;
• Assessing existing parking and access patterns along Chase Road;
• Developing a long list of potential management approaches;
• Evaluating options against environmental, access, community and deliverability criteria;
• Identifying a shortlist of realistic and deliverable options.

The shortlisted options include:

• No public motor vehicle access along the full bridleway;
• Public motor vehicle access retained to key parking areas;
• Seasonal public motor vehicle access;
• Limited winter public motor vehicle access.

Each option has been assessed to understand its potential benefits, impacts and practical considerations. You can read more information on the options by downloading the consultation boards located at the bottom of this page.

How do the options compare?

The Options Appraisal has identified four realistic approaches to managing public motor vehicle access along Chase Road. The options differ in the amount of vehicle access provided, how parking would operate, and the extent to which environmental pressures may be reduced.

At a broad level:

• Options with the least public motor vehicle access are expected to provide the greatest environmental benefit by reducing disturbance and allowing habitats to recover more consistently over time;
• Options that retain access to key parking areas focus on the most sensitive locations while maintaining some vehicle access within the corridor;
• Seasonal approaches provide different levels of vehicle access throughout the year, balancing environmental protection with flexibility for visitors.

Each option involves different considerations relating to:

• Environmental protection;
• Visitor access and convenience;
• Impacts on local communities;
• Practicality and cost of delivery.

No preferred option has been selected at this stage. The purpose of this consultation is to understand how people view the different approaches and what factors are most important when considering the future management of Chase Road.

Why your views matter

Many people who live locally or regularly visit Cannock Chase use Chase Road and the surrounding landscape.

This consultation is an opportunity to:

• Understand how people currently access and use the area;
• Gather views on the shortlisted options;
• Explore the potential benefits and challenges associated with each approach;
• Identify local knowledge, opportunities and concerns that should be taken into account.

Your feedback will help ensure that the final recommendations reflect both the evidence base and the views of those who use and value Cannock Chase.

What happens next?

The consultation will run for six weeks and includes an online survey, consultation events and other opportunities to provide feedback.

Once the consultation closes:

• Responses will be reviewed and analysed;
• Feedback will be considered alongside the findings of the Options Appraisal;
• The relative advantages and disadvantages of each option will be reassessed in light of consultation responses.

The outcomes of this process will inform the final recommendations of the Options Appraisal and support future decisions about how public motor vehicle access along Chase Road is managed.

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You can follow the project using the button at the top of this page to receive updates as the consultation progresses.

There was a recent webinar carried out to discuss the project detail, and address the initial questions raised. A copy of the recording can be viewed below, with a transcript included within the attachments.

Chase Road Options Appraisal Public Consultation Webinar-20260618_170034UTC-Meeting Recording.mp4