Rose Wicks updated the Forum on
the feedback received in response to the public consultation on the
draft ROWIP2, which had now closed. Rose thanked members of the
Forum for their input and advised members that the draft Plan would
be going to the Council’s Executive for approval at the end
of October.
Feedback from 4 members of the
public were discussed and the following points were
raised:
- A request was made
for a new cycle path parallel to Old Wokingham Road / Peacock Lane.
Upgrading the surface of the current path (not a PRoW) might help
to improve access for cyclists, however not all of the land was in
the Borough Council’s control, which limited options about
what could realistically be achieved. This matter was to be run
past the Council’s Transport Development Team. (Action Graham Pockett)
- It was suggested by a
respondent that Murellhill Lane be recognised as a PRoW, however as
it was already classed as an ancient highway, it already had more
rights then a PRoW.
- The RoWIP focused on
the use of pavements by cyclists but could equally apply to
pedestrians on cycle lanes, which needed to be better reflected in
the plan. It was asked whether there could be clearer distinction
between paths and cycle lanes, including installing signage at
points where pedestrians were likely to join the cycle
lane. At the LAF conference there was
little perceived conflict between user groups of shared routes and
members’ agreed that segregating a footpath might actually
give rise to greater conflict, as it increased the perceived
division between the two. (Action Graham
Pockett)
- A request was
received for a key to the tick system in resource requirements
featured in the Action Plan table. (Action: Rose
Wicks)
- Members’ agreed
with the suggestion to make full use of partner organisations to
help promote activities such as walking in the borough. There would
also be scope to create a map with parks and routes.
Feedback from groups and
organisations was received as part of the consultation and Rose
Wicks thanked Forum members for their contributions, particularly
for the feedback they had provided to the Action Plan prior to the
consultation going live.
It was noted that the promotion
of cycle routes should be incorporated as a new action in the
RoWIP, to sit alongside the action to promote circular walks
(Action Ref.1). (Action: Rose Wicks)
It was suggested that the
council should add an action to produce online copies of routes in
GPX format, for Garmin/smart phones, as well as the current pdf
versions. (Action: Rose Wicks)
It was also acknowledged that
there were opportunities to create connections between Bracknell
Forest PRoW and other authorities to create longer
routes.
Feedback from the Blackwater
Valley Countryside Partnership was discussed and the following
points raised:
- The partnership would
support a statement to get the Blackwater Valley Path dedicated as
a PRoW. (Action Graham Pockett)
- To take a wider
approach to analysing the network. Expansion of the PRoW maps to
include cycle routes and green spaces, with consideration given to
urban routes that connect between PRoW and spaces. Reference was
made to the study (Play, Open Spaces and Sports) recently carried
out by Bracknell Forest Council to review and map all the
publically accessible green spaces in the borough. This identified
the importance of green corridors such as Edmund’s Lane
.(Action: Rose Wicks)
- It was proposed that
the Forum should be consulted on housing development proposals over
20 houses to identify path opportunities to link up routes in
Bracknell, although it was acknowledged that a working group would
be required due to the frequency of Forum meetings. (Action: Graham Pockett to investigate and speak to
planning)
Feedback from Binfield Parish
Council was discussed and the following points raised:
- Following feedback,
the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan and other town/parish neighbourhood
plans would be referenced in RoWIP2. (Action: Rose
Wicks)
- It was suggested that
the quality of PRoW should be examined alongside looking at the
volume, as Binfield had a number of PRoWs which were poor quality
or fragmented. .(Action: Rose Wicks & Graham
Pockett)
- In conjunction with
the newly formed Binfield Environment Group, Binfield Parish
Council would look to restart annual inspections as local
activities; which the Forum acknowledged would make a positive
contribution to monitoring the condition of PRoWs
- The Parish Council
wished to improve signage for PRoWs where old
names were showing. Providing there was no
record of path name already recorded in the Definitive Map and
Statement, LCAF confirmed that Binfield Parish Council were able
and encouraged to do this and that an action should be included to
encourage other towns and parishes to follow suit. (Action: Rose Wicks to add to action plan)
Feedback from Hampshire
Countryside Access Forum was discussed and the following points
were made:
- Hampshire Countryside
Access Forum was pleased with the RoWIP2 especially with regards to
maintenance and upgrading of existing routes and cross-border
linkages.
- There was a greater
emphasis on the many good shorter circular routes in and through
Bracknell Forest which combined use of part of the Blackwater
Valley Path with other rights of way.
- It was noted that
walkers did not realise where boundaries were, which made an
argument for consistent route markings. However, the boundaries
were important for reporting problems to the correct
authority.
The Forum also discussed the mechanisms in place for
cross-boundary communication between authorities to ensure
consistent standards of maintenance.
Following the consultation on
the draft RoWIP2, the document was being finalised ready for
presentation to Council on 27 October 2017. Officers thanked
members’ for all their input into the draft plan. The Forum agreed that they would be happy to
endorse the plan, by providing a statement to be included in the
main document.
Rose Wicks asked Members for
any photo resources they had available, which could be used for the
RoWIP2. Pictures were particularly needed of PRoW signs, horse
riders, volunteers, walkers and cyclists. Permission would be
needed from the people featured in the photos if the pics were to
be used in the plan (Action: All and Rose
Wicks).
Rob Solomon and Graham Pockett
updated the Forum on actions resulting from the new ROWIP2. This
included
- Replacing stiles with
more accessible gates along 5 footpaths.
- Surface improvements
to 4 PRoW, including 650m at Shepherd Meadows(SANG path) which had
been well received by local people and should ensure the path was
more resilient to flooding in future.
- Hogoak Lane
resurfacing and the addition of signage and new bollards to prevent
access by unauthorised vehicles.