Minutes:
The Chair opened the floor for questions and observations.
The Forum was made aware that the landowners had been experiencing some security issues along Mare Lane, from Phoenix Fishery to the motorway. As such, logs and other objects were being put in the restricted byway, blocking access to that section. Whilst the restricted byway does come to a dead end for users such as horse riders, it does still get used and there was a footpath linking off it, which was also useful.
Working alongside the landowner and the leaseholder, officers were going to install a bridleway gate which would restrict illegal use by quad bikes, speeding motorbikes and other issues which were being experienced. It would still allow for required vehicle access by the landowner and year-round access for restricted byway users. There was also an understanding that once the gate went in, all the vegetation around that entranceway would be cleared.
Officers updated
members on the replacement of the footbridge on Warfield Footpath
6, which went from Malt Hill to Brockhill along the new Windmill SANG. The bridge
crossing over the culvert is about a third of the way down from
Malt Hill. A contractor was starting next week who was going
to replace that bridge and put a new bridge in. A Temporary Traffic
Regulation Notice (TTRN) was in place for a five-day
closure.
Sheila raised the matter about the Hayley Green track use. Following submission of the evidence forms to Bracknell Forest Council, there had initially been an expectation that this would trigger the process to investigate if there was enough evidence to make a claim for an unrecorded right of way based on long, uninterrupted use. BFC had since sent out an update to all involved, advising that to trigger this process they required a formal application to be made to them. The application would be in the form of a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) application. It could take some time to process and once applied for, it was non-transferable i.e. that person/body had to continue with the application for its entirety.
The necessary evidence was required, as well as providing a certification to landowners that they have applied for said use and once the application was received, the certificate and all the user evidence came to the Council who facilitated that process. The Forum noted that for a right of way to be claimed use, it needed to be that 20-year period of unbroken use without signage, without gating, without various other means that would otherwise make that process redundant. It would also need to relate to the entire length of the route. Although the Council did obtain some evidence, such as resident forms, it was the applicant who was expected to collect other evidence. Sheila highlighted how a request has been put to Warfield Parish Council, to head-up the bid. Members felt the parish council might be an ideal applicant and would have an interest with the residents in mind. The idea for a permissive path was dismissed by the landowners at the time it was raised. Ramblers was also suggested as an alternative organisation to put forward an application.
Rose advised that the Council have been approached by Surrey County
Council who were in the process of reviewing and updating their
rights of way improvement plan. It was particularly interested in
current or future cross boundary or access projects, routes or promotion. They would be putting some
feedback together, noting thoughts from the Forum that there was
possibly no cross boundary footpaths or rights of way.
Hugh had made a request of an entrance to Frost Folly from Church Lane and if there was anything that could be done to progress that. It was noted that discussions had taken place with planning and highways it needed to establish where the entrance way should go. There were some initial concerns from highways in terms of the bend,
(Action: Rob, Hugh, Colin to visit site to look for a possible entrance way).
Rose brought to the Forums attention the walks for wellbeing
programme, which was currently run by the public health team. The
information was available on the public health portal and
information would be placed on notice boards.
Walks for Wellbeing - Public Health Portal - Bracknell Forest Council | (bracknell-forest.gov.uk)
Sheila asked in terms of the Blue Mountain and Amen Corner SANGs which she had been invited to view both sites next week. Officers did not have an update on the adoption of these. There was a meeting booked with the parish council so were looking into it with the various parties that were involved. The sites were really degrading now and need funding to bring up to standard to be adopted.
(Action: Sheila to bring an update on her visit to the next meeting)
Sheila asked about the proposals for new public rights of way in Appendix 2. She asked who pursued them because she had one of interest which was the link from Cabbage Hill SANG across to Hazelwood Lane. Officers were aware of this and continued to pursue working on it but there was limited time and resources. They would try and provide an update to the next meeting.