Meeting documents

Updates to be provided by:

·        Helen Francis, Definitive Map Team

·        Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer

·        Joanne Taylor, Operations Team Leader

The Rights of Way Group report was presented to the forum by Mrs C Hudson, Definitive Map and Land Charges Team Lead and Mr J Clark, Strategic Access Officer.

Mrs Hudson noted item number 20 at Berkhamstead, a Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMO) for a public bridleway and one of Ms A Heath's applications, was being moved up to number 7 on the list of investigations as it was now supported by user evidence. 

The Chairman questioned the 4-year backlog. Mrs Hudson stated that was probably about right. Ms Hudson stated that they had recruited to another Definitive Map Officer post, so there would be three officers plus a senior officer and Team Leader working on all Public Path Orders (PPOs) and Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMO’s).  This would ensure quicker completion.

East West Rail

Mr Clark gave an update on East West Rail. The Transport and Works Act order to build the scheme was submitted to government in July 2018.  There were some enabling works starting early next year, such as access routes and environmental mitigation. The Council had registered a number of objections which would be heard at a public inquiry in early 2019. Construction would take place between 2020 and 2024.

HS2

Mr Clark gave an update on HS2.  Environmental mitigation and moving utilities continued, with the next project being around Quainton and Grendon Underwood, where national grid would move electricity pylons. Mr D Briggs questioned the length of closure. Mr Clark clarified they would be much shorter than 18 months, but needed to be that long to account for contingencies. Mr Clark also highlighted that members of the forum might be aware of the Great Missenden Haul Road which had uncovered important archaeological remains.

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway

Mr Clark gave an update on the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway: a Highways England promoted motorway proposal between the two towns to support 1m new homes. The Council were invited to comment on possible route options, but it was unlikely rights of way would shape or impact on the final route choice. Mr Clark stated however that if the motorway did follow the East West Rail corridor it would provide opportunities for a multi-user route between Oxford and Milton Keynes, running through Buckinghamshire that could link to railway stations and improve people’s travel choices. The Council’s baseline requirements were set out in the reports included in the agenda as well as Highways England’s plan outlining their preferred route, corridors B1 and B3.

Mr P Harris stated from Oxfordshire's perspective that the Council was very concerned about the proposal in the B corridor which would use the A34, because it was already past capacity and the Council thought it should go to the south-east of Oxford. He said there was a document by the Infrastructure Commission entitled: ‘A New Deal for the Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford Arc’, and he would circulate a link to the forum.

ACTION: Mr J Clark

Mr Clark stated the Council’s position supported a route nearer to Aylesbury, but Highways England rejected that proposal.

A member of the forum asked where the new houses were going. Mr J Clark stated that he was unsure, however thought that it would likely be around Bicester and Milton Keynes.

A member of the forum asked if there would be money to mitigate problems that arise from where the road cuts across rights of way and opportunities to improve routes, especially across county boundaries. Mr Clark confirmed there would be ROW mitigation and opportunities for improvements.

Mr Clark stated there had been a meeting of the Chiltern Society’s Rights of Way Group along with some of the maintenance volunteers.  It was an annual meeting to look at working practices and how the volunteers could work better together. The meeting would take place at the Full Moon Pub at 10am on Friday 30 November 2018; and members of the forum were invited to attend.

RESOLVED: The members of the forum NOTED the report.