Meeting documents

To be presented by Mr J Clark, Strategic Access Officer, Bucks County Council.

Mr Clark, Strategic Access Officer, presented the report and highlighted the following:

• An independent review was underway to decide if HS2 work would continue but construction work continued in the meantime.  
• The main contractors were dealing with archaeology and fencing, but were also focused on keeping footpaths and highways open. 
• Great Missenden and Quainton had been affected by overhead power works resulting in path closures. 
• The Ramblers had attended a parliamentary committee to oppose the closure of Old Shire Lane, Chalfont St Peter. An alternative bridleway was proposed but rejected by parliament.
• A member of the forum highlighted that a footpath in Great Missenden had been closed for a year but no work had taken place which members of the forum considered to be unacceptable.  Mr Clark would register the concern with the HS2 Team.

ACTION: Mr Clark

Greenway

• Greenway was a vision to create a new, multi-user cycle routes.  The scheme was member led and a letter had gone to Central Government to fund the new route, running from north to south from Uxbridge to Silverstone, and east to west from Banbury to Milton Keynes. 
• Currently HS2 work would get in the way of the project.  Discussions were taking place with HS2 as to how they could redesign their structures.  Representation had also been made for equestrian use. 
• The project was a top priority for Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC).

• Improvements around Hertfordshire canal between South Harefield and Denham was part of HS2 mitigation.
• It was highlighted that a bridleway should be a minimum of 4 metres wide and a footpath should be 2 metres wide.  Greenways should be 6m wide with grass verges for walkers and horse riders. 
• A written response was being commissioned in order to engage with colleagues in Hertfordshire County Council to encourage them to participate in a similar scheme.
• The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway consultation would be delayed until the new year due to the general election. 

ACTION: Mr Clark

Maintenance Update – Joanne Taylor, Team Leader Operations

• It was highlighted that the figures included in the report were reflective of the expectations for the mid-year period. 
• The number of Chiltern Society volunteer hours had decreased from previous years, but extra volunteers had been added through the Ramblers Ripple scheme.
• The service was awaiting the results of the latest Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPI) survey. The results were late and there were plans in place to conduct a 5% BVPI test survey each year as opposed to two separate tests. 
• The amount of outstanding issues reported had increased by 40% in 2019. 
• The capital projects list included in the report was highlighted. 
• A method of installing structure continued to be reviewed for the Fawley Footpath.  There was sensitivity around the site with a protest march due to take place.  Mr Clark would liaise with the Chairman to co-ordinate a written statement to the council on behalf of the forum.

ACTION: Mr Clark, Ms Taylor

• A suggestion was made that BCC issued information to the general public to explain how to report access and rights of way issues in an attempt to avoid negative press.

Equestrian Reference Guide

• The Equestrian Reference Guide was a strategy adopted by Hampshire County Council and was available on the Hampshire County Council website. 
• The document was guidance for planners and developers, detailing issues around equestrian needs.  
• The strategy was being looked into by Hertfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
• BCC would revisit the item in March 2020.  During the March 2020 meeting members of the forum would look into the need for a similar strategy in Buckinghamshire so it could be submitted to local planning departments. 
• The document would benefit any member of the public in the county responding to a local planning consultation. 

Buckinghamshire Council: Unitary Update

• Following the formation of the unitary council, the Rights of Way team would likely sit under Highways and Technical Services. 
• It was unknown what service area the Definitive Map team would come under.
• The Local Access Forum would continue in the unitary council.

RESOLVED:  Members of the forum NOTED the update.