Agenda item

Colin Bird updated that the proposals to Bracknell Forest LCAF for new / modified Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) and access routes had been discussed by the subgroup and ranked in terms of delivery potential and what was needed to move them forward.  Ones marked as high potential were ones which were primarily within Bracknell Forest Council’s (BFC) control and were able to be moved forward quickly.  This category included Access to Frost Folly SANG2 from Church Lane, Warfield (proposal no.  5) as, although it could only progress when the SANG was transferred to the council, this was expected soon.  The medium potential proposals were ones that the subgroup could see moving forward but required some external involvement or planning approval.  Low potential proposals were those where there were multiple landowners who would need to give approval or if there hadn’t been a PRoW there in the past meaning that a lot of work was needed, and chances of success were difficult to judge.  The document would be kept live and continuously moving forward on actions.  New ideas and proposals were welcome to be added to the document.

The proposal to add existing Mosses path adjacent to the football club in Binfield as a PRoW on the definitive map (proposal no.  8) was listed as having medium potential, partly because Binfield Football Club lease the land and partly because the existing path was open.  Jane Rimmer highlighted that, when she last visited, the path was accessible for pedestrians but not for equestrian users due to overgrown shrubbery.  Richard Mosses fed back that it had been cleared recently, although he was not sure how accessible it was for horse riders.  Jane Rimmer agreed to go back to check accessibility.  Rob Solomon added that he has spoken to the Binfield Conservation Volunteers, and they have essentially taken ownership of the issue, so Rob would get back in touch to see how they are getting on and whether there was anything he could do to help. 

Jane Rimmer highlighted that a question mark had been put against the proposal for a bridleway route to link Warfield development area to Hazelwood Lane and Warfield BR26 (proposal no.  15).  From an equestrian point of view, there were still lots of stables in that area, so Jane expressed that she would like some continued discussion.  Colin Bird explained that this proposal had been included in the improvement plan from five years ago but there were challenges in delivering it as parts of the route had restrictions on horse-riding, so it was not straightforward.  However, there may be more demand for it than they were aware of. 

Cabbage Hill Path

Colin Bird updated that Thames Water had promised feedback for this meeting, but this was not forthcoming.  This matter would continue to be pursued with them.

Accessible routes

Rose Wicks presented to the forum a mock-up of a leaflet of an accessible route through Cabbage Hill and The Cut Circuit.  There was still work to do to design the leaflet.  Rose would like the LCAF logo to be included alongside the BFC logo, with the forum’s agreement.  The ambition was to publish the route as an interactive map online, which the leaflet would link to and where users could see the map in greater detail.  The leaflet would be available online as well.  Councillor Finch suggested that the leaflet could include a QR code link to the map, and Rose agreed that was a good idea. 

Action: Rose Wicks to send the draft leaflet to the forum for feedback.

Longshot Lane (Bracknell Footpath 6A)

Graham Pockett explained that Bracknell BID (Business Improvement District) funded the newly surfaced footpath and added their own signage to the routes.  However, they liaised with the council and agreed to incorporate the green FP signs, which avoided the need to clutter the footpath with extra posts.  Bracknell BID have also done some work to promote walking routes that people working in the area can do during their lunchbreak, and the signs show the distance to various locations which is helpful.  The forum agreed that it was a great improvement.  Councillor Brossard asked whether it was wheelchair accessible.  Rob Solomon confirmed that it was. 

Sandhurst FP26

Graham Pockett updated that signage had been installed on existing lampposts at both ends of the route. 

Hawthorndale Lane (Warfield Bridleway 25)

Graham Pockett shared that there had been a lot of complaints about the muddy state of the path.  Drainage works had been completed to stop the frequent flooding, but the resurfacing was inadequate.  Rob Solomon added that he has spoken to the contractors who were responsible for the works, and he has persuaded them to relevel and resurface the lane.  This has been scheduled for week commencing 7^th March 2022 and it is hoped that the material used and the Spring weather will help to settle it.  Hugh Fitzwilliams expressed that he felt the current surface was illegal in terms of being past the point of acceptance.  Hugh suggested Rob Solomon asking the contractors if they could put down a membrane.  Rob replied that he did not think they would be willing to do more as it had been difficult to get them agree to fix it; they had said it was natural before and natural now, but Rob had made point that it was a different natural material now.  Jane Rimmer added that it was safe and passable before, but not anymore. 

Hedge Lane (Warfield Bridleway 25)

Rob Solomon advised that he had spoken to a drainage engineer to investigate ways of reducing flooding across the bridleway at the western end.  They discovered that the ditching was defunct and did not drain in any direction.  The ditching sits within a mature hedge line so it would be difficult to improve due to environmental reasons and costs.  However, there are plans to put in more drainage as part of the east-west greenway development which will help.  Graham Pockett added that the recent Taylor Wimpey pre-application includes this bridleway so the council has commented on that and would be asking Taylor Wimpey to take account of the drainage.  Graham explained that he could not share many details as this was not yet in the public domain.  It was expected to be a few years before having a sustainable drainage solution. 

Bridges catalogue and improvements

Rose Wicks explained that, following on from Richard Mosses’ observation about the bridges at Piggy Wood, the rangers have just completed a catalogue of all footbridges on RoW.  It was likely in future that the parks & countryside team would retain inspection of small wooden bridges such as Warfield FP24, but larger structures would continue to be part of the Highway’s structures contract with Atkins.  Where possible, recycled plastic would be used in place of timber to future-proof as many structures as possible.  Sue McDaid asked whether the bridge that went from Priory Fields to Hedge Lane was on the list.  Hugh Fitzwilliams added that the steps had been installed by volunteers, but they were made of second-hand timber which rotted away so the steps were removed; however, members of the public decided to make their own steps which was even worse.  Rose agreed to check to see if that is on their plan.  However, Hugh explained that it was not a public footpath.  Graham Pockett added that the new greenway would solve the problem. 

Rose advised the forum that the bridge at Piggy Wood which needed repairs was closed due to safety reasons; however, there have been issues of members of the public removing the safety barriers.  Temporary repairs were expected to be completed soon and then there would likely be a wider project to update bridges at Piggy Wood where it was deemed necessary.  Rose would update the forum when work has been completed. 

Action: Rose Wicks to update the forum when the work to replace the wooden footbridges at Piggy Wood has been completed.

Richard Mosses asked what the difference in cost was between recycled plastic and timber.  Rose Wicks replied that she was not sure about price, but recycled plastic was more durable.  Rob Solomon added that the recycled plastic was slightly more expensive initially but was cheaper in the long run due to being more durable and easier to maintain.

Future projects

Graham Pockett explained that the Blue Mountain permissive path (which is not a PRoW) still floods.  This would become BFC’s responsibility when the SANG transfers.  Graham believed that the flooding was made worse by the car park to the SANG being raised up so much.  Rob Solomon added that he has been out to the site with a drainage engineer and the ditch appears to be in a usable section.  The engineer thought they had found a blocked drain so it may help if they can unblock that.