Meeting documents

Updated to be provided by Mrs H Francis, Definitive Map Team, Mr J Clark, Strategic Access Officer and Ms J Taylor, Operation Team Leader.

DEFINITIVE MAP

Ms E Hackling, Definitive Map Officer, stated that the latest update was contained in the agenda pack and that the Public Path Orders were up to date.  There were some outstanding Modification Orders and these would be dealt with as quickly as possible.

RESOLVED:  The Forum NOTED the report.

STRATEGIC ACCESS

Mr J Clark, Strategic Access Officer, provided the following update on HS2:

• HS2 were fencing off all areas where possession was being taken for construction e.g. Ellen Road in Aylesbury.
• In the area south-west of Aylesbury some fences had been cut in protest, but almost all the rights of way had been kept open; HS2 were working around the public footpath network and the main footpath closure was on Chalfont Lane, near Maple Cross and the M25; this would be closed for the entire construction period.
• Preliminary discussions on bridge design had commenced: there would be approximately 60 new bridges in Buckinghamshire.
• Bi-lateral meetings with Heathrow Airport were taking place; it was hoped that funding would be obtained to improve the cycling routes around Iver, Black Park, Pinewood Studios and to Slough.

It was also noted that:

• The number of district council planning applications affecting rights of way had risen significantly in 2019; particularly in Aylesbury Vale.
• The Chilterns "Donate a Gate" scheme was continuing.
• A member of the forum mentioned that there were three bridleway bridges in the Grendon Underwood and Quainton area and expressed concern over the HS2 and the East West Rail organisations which would be working in the area and whether the bridleway would be incorporated into the new bridge. The Chairman suggested that a letter to the appropriate people, stating that there was general concern from the forum; it was felt that there needed to be a common-sense approach to the bridges. However, Mr Clark pointed out that the East West Rail project was still in the planning process.

ACTION:  Mr J Clark

OPERATIONS

Ms J Taylor, Team Leader,  Rights of Way, reported that Ms C Brownsell, the Bridging Inspector, was on maternity leave and was due to return to work in May 2019.  There were currently six full time equivalent Rights of Way team members.

The Summary of Maintenance Carried Out table in the agenda pack showed the figures for the period from 1 April to 31 December 2018 were slightly up on last year on clearance and bridges completed.  However, there was still a backlog of bridging problems to resolve, and there was also an increase in the number of outstanding issues on the network.

Capital projects – these were almost complete with two projects outstanding. Extra capital money was acquired for works to be carried out in this financial year on Hillesden Bridleway 11A, Great Marlow BW52, Ivinghoe FP37 and Fawley FP12. This would reduce the amount of money available for capital projects for the year 2019/20 by the equivalent amount of overspend in 2018/19.

The Wexham project BW21 improvements had been put on hold due to a possible County Council planning application to carry out major groundworks on the site.

The clearance figure was up as an outside contractor had been employed which allowed the existing team to carry out the bridge works.

The launch of the new Rights of Way online reporting tool, CAMs Web, had been set back several months due to ‘accessibility’ compliance. However, testing was in the final stages and it was due to go live week commencing 25 March 2019. Ms Taylor showed the new reporting tool on screen, presentation appended to the minutes, and highlighted the following points:

• The map could be seen without logging in to the site. 
• Any Parish Council or user group with links on their websites to the old system had received an email to advise the new system was in place. 
• An email address and password would be required to log in and report an issue. 
• Issues could also be reported via the contact centre.
• An explanation of what should be reported would be included and the reporting page would include a link to Fix My Street for issues relating to pavements/roads.
• The tool would only allow an issue to be reported if it was within 50 metres of a right of way.
• Reported issues would appear on the map instantly.
• Photographs could be uploaded.
• People could volunteer to be a footpath warden and be assigned work.  However, it was agreed that discussion would be needed with the Chiltern Society as to how the process would work, for the path maintenance volunteers.

ACTION: Ms Taylor