Minutes:
Public Rights of Way (PROW)
Work continued with the Ramblers Association to identify where accessibility of Public Footpaths could be improved by replacing the older ‘step over’ or ‘squeeze’ stiles with new metal or wooden kissing gates. This met targets set out in the Bracknell Forest Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).
BFC had worked with South East Berkshire Ramblers to provide two new mobility kissing gate to replace the old squeeze stile and old step over stile on Binfield Footpath 11. The narrow gate at Binfield Footpath 16 (off of Peacocks lane) had been replaced with a more accessible gate. There had been improvements to the small footbridge on Warfield Footpath 7. A new gate had been installed, replacing an old step over stile along Bracknell Footpath 15, at the junction with Easthampstead Park Conference Centre (EPCC) driveway. Edging along Sandhurst Footpath 2 was due to be repaired or replaced and there was pipe installation at Winkfield Footpath 4 which worked well through winter. Litter clearance on Bracknell Footpath 5, ditch improvements on Crowthorne Footpath 18, and wooden bollards replaced with metal posts at Pendry’s Lane.
There were regular minor repairs conducted by the Parks & Countryside rangers to the surface of the section of the Devil’s Highway (Restricted Byway), which accesses the Forestry Commission car park. This track was heavily used by motorised vehicles, which caused the surface to erode more quickly. BFC were exploring options for a more permanent solution; possibly working with the Forestry Commission in the new financial year
The first section of the Devil’s Highway, leading to the Forestry Commission car park was a private road where a resident had issues with people parking opposite the end of their property entrance, thus causing an obstruction. If the land was owned by the resident then parking a car on that part could constitute trespass. They could erect signage indicating such. If the land was owned by someone else, then the issue could be discussed with them. As the road was private, there was little the Council could do to prevent cars parking there.
Section 106 funded works
Implementation of the Quality Improvements Programme, Phase 1, Year 2, was underway and included:
The aim was for a north-south track from Warfield Park to Hayley Green Wood, and to improve drainage in ditches and grass areas. There were issues on the Goddard Way site regarding visual impact but once the work was finished it would look much better. There was a baseline quality assessment of green spaces in the borough, which was part of the Borough’s Local Plan Review and funding would be targeted at raising quality standards.
Phase 2 works included:
Suitable Alternative Natural Green Spaces
It was not known why the land at Jennett’s Park had not been transferred to BFC yet, as the snagging list had been agreed and no one benefitted from the delay. Peacock Meadows was being used and was accessible.
Members were shown photographs of the SANG improvements at Parks & Countryside managed sites.
At Englemere Pond there was a new section of boardwalk and panoramic photo showing habitat improvements, for example, scrub clearance; the improvements at the site were noticeable. At Longhill Park there were new steps through the woodland and a knee rail in the car park.
Planned work at the Cut Countryside Corridor included:
And at Shepherd Meadows:
Planned work at Ambarrow Court included path works to link Ambarrow Hill with Ambarrow Court of approximately 630 metres involving close liaison with the National Trust; southern entrance project with various drainage and gate works; waymarkers; interpretation board and a cycle-rack project. At Horseshoe Lake there would be bank repair works and path works of approximately 160m.