Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Paralympic Room, Buckinghamshire Council, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Binstead 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

2.

Declarations of interest

To disclose any Personal or Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

None.

3.

Minutes of the previous meeting / matters arising pdf icon PDF 456 KB

To confirm the minutes from the meeting held on 14 July 2021

Minutes:

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

4.

LAF site visit: Bridleway WEN/1/1, Bacombe Hill SSSI & Grangelands SSSI pdf icon PDF 352 KB

To be presented by Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer, began by thanking members who attended the Local Access Forum site visit. Members’ attention was drawn towards Appendix 1, displaying the resurfaced Ridgeway and Ridgeway Riding routes at Bacombe Hill, Wendover. The limestone surface was tested by a horse rider, walker, cyclist and user on a mobility scooter, and was found to be suitable for horse riding, cycling, and disabled use.  A couple of issues included the downhill section causing cyclists to go too fast and horse riders unlikely to utilise the route as it leads out onto Ellesborough Road, which was too dangerous. Alternative routes were discussed and the possibility of links through to Bacombe Lane or a safer route into Wendover. To encourage good user etiquette, the Forum noted some examples of signage included in the report. Mr Clark welcomed any ideas or comments for signage that could be used on the Ridgeway.

 

The Forum were then informed of the site visit to the Grangelands SSSI, where a member of the British Horse Society gave feedback on two gates. It was agreed that these need to be replaced with Worcester Gates. These gates contain a closing mechanism that shuts the gate in fourteen seconds, to allow a horse to move through. It was also decided to relocate signage that horses were banging their heads on.

 

In the discussion that followed, the following points were raised:

·         Mr Clark informed members that Mr Rod Black has been looking into the possibility of receiving funding and support from HS2. This would go towards creating a link alongside the Ellesborough Road. Cllr Peter Martin suggested organising a conversation outside of the meeting to take this up directly with HS2.

·         The site visit was extended to review Bacombe Hill, which identified more work that needed doing to improve accessibility. It was suggested that Bacombe Hill to Ellesborough Road footpath link be upgraded to bridleway so it doesn’t have to go through the town. Mr Clark explained that this would be taken up with HS2.

5.

Buckinghamshire Cycleway pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To be presented by Ben Feeney-North, Transport Strategy Officer, Planning Growth and Sustainability

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This item was presented by Ben Feeney-North, Transport Strategy Officer for Planning Growth and Sustainability. The Forum noted the development of active travel routes in Buckinghamshire and the progress towards the Buckinghamshire Greenway. The latter relates to the development of a continuous walking and cycling route running the length of the county from the Colne Valley, connecting to routes in Hillingdon, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. The aim was to achieve the same, if not similar, standard as the Waddesdon Greenway. The purpose of the Buckinghamshire Greenway was to improve connectivity between towns and villages, making it easier for people to make short trips as well as being an asset for leisure and tourism.

 

Mr Feeney-North referred to a presentation and the slides that would be appended to these minutes. Following the conclusion of the presentation, the following points were raised during the discussion:

·         A new route from Winslow to Buckingham had been established. It had not yet been considered as part of the Buckinghamshire Greenway, but it was suggested that a route from Winslow to Aylesbury would be well used and sought after. Mr Feeney-North explained that the Greenway could be considered as a strategic spine that routes can be added to and they were keen to explore opportunities to incorporate other routes.

·         It was mentioned that there was little consultation with horse riders in the development of the Waddesdon Greenway and it could be of great benefit to horse riders. It was emphasised to include horse riders in the development of the Buckinghamshire Greenway. Mr Feeney-North explained that landowners generally only accept a permissive route and were sometimes not willing to allow riders to use it. It was noted that this was frustrating, but the aim was to have as much of the route as possible be a bridleway and accessible for all users. It was highlighted that a large section of the south route, such as the South Bucks Way, utilised existing rights of way. It was hoped that developing these southern sections will make it more accessible for horse riders.

·         The Planning Growth and Sustainability team were working on links with Hertfordshire. One such being the Grand Union Canal Triangle. The Aylesbury Arm had received funding to upgrade sections up to the border with Hertfordshire. Mr Feeney-North stated that they were keen to engage with Hertfordshire to continue to improve the Aylesbury Arm. Regarding the Wendover Arm, Buckinghamshire was working with the Wendover Arm Trust to get the path upgraded.

·         The issue was raised of heavy traffic deterring cyclists on the A4010, between Aylesbury and High Wycombe via Prices Risborough. Members were informed that the team were working on the county-wide local cycling and walking infrastructure plan. This would be developed at a strategic level, with the Buckinghamshire Greenway at the heart of it. It was hoped that problems would be captured and highlighted for future development.

·         Regarding the consultation process, Mr Feeney-North explained that the route between Wendover and Missenden was led by Sustrans. The main  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

ROWIP Action Plan Year-1 Report (Themes 3 – 6) pdf icon PDF 181 KB

To be presented by Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer

Minutes:

The Forum were informed by Mr Clark that the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) Action Plan Year-1 Report would be available for March 2022.

7.

Rights of way group report pdf icon PDF 328 KB

To be presented by Helen Francis, Interim Definitive Map and Highways Searches Team Leader; Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer; and Joanne Taylor, Rights of Way Operations Team Leader

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Mr Clark presented the Rights of Way Group Report, to summarise progress on the Gardenway. A final report, expected in December 2021, would give a design specification and detail of the route. The team were beginning to parcel up the routes around Aylesbury and had put in funding bids to deliver a new bridleway. It was expected to be completed in 2030.

 

A planning application had been submitted to the Aylesbury Area Planning Team for the Quarrendon Path through Berryfields and Buckingham Park. Mr Clark informed the Forum that the application was live and available for comments. The Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum would be consulted on the High Wycombe Cycling, Walking Infrastructure Plan.

 

Ms Taylor updated members on the Rights of Way (RoW) operations over the previous six months. The team was comprised of one RoW Team Leader, two RoW Officers, 1.6 Assistant RoW Officers, and 1.5 Bridge Structure Inspectors.

 

The BVPI Condition Survey was carried out largely using volunteer effort during February / March 2021. The results were that 75% of paths were easy to use. The RoW Team were looking to carry out the 5% survey later in the year, due to the additional workload from COVID restrictions. Ms Taylor explained the importance of the condition survey, as it provides a benchmark on the state of the network against previous years. Ms Taylor invited members to give feedback on the survey.

 

The Forum were informed of the ongoing capital projects. Ms Taylor highlighted the work regarding bridge improvements and surface work that had been completed. This included Fawley Bridge and Ms Taylor explained that the team were still in negotiation of the replacement of the bridge structure and the annual clearance.

The summer clearance had been completed, using two additional clearance crews for twelve weeks. Autumn clearance of bramble and side growth would be completed. Several projects would run through the winter, as it cannot be achieved in summer due to the nesting season.

 

In reference to Appendix 5 on the Rights of Way Group Report item, Ms Taylor welcomed comments from members and explained that it showed an average for April to October in comparison to previous years. The results for the last financial year were quite low, due to the limited work that could be achieved during COVID lockdowns.

 

Ms Taylor gave feedback on the priority matrix, on how issues were categorised into priority A, B, C, and D to work out a target time. Figures were also provided for the beginning of the 2021 Condition Survey. Ms Taylor welcomed comments on whether they should continue the Condition Survey or postpone the survey for a year. The reasoning provided was that the team had a large backlog of issues, as a result of increasing usage on the network over the pervious two years. More individuals were reporting issues, as people were using the network for recreation during lockdown.

 

In the discussion that followed, the following points were raised:

·         Ms Taylor explained that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

LAF members’ report pdf icon PDF 497 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Neil Harris, National Trust, informed members on ash dieback and clearance. The work had been prioritised by usage, to combat issues with potential risk to ash trees dying and falling. The focus had been on medium to very high usage zones. Ash dieback is a fungal disease causing the timber to become brittle. The longer the tree has the disease, the more brittle they become and more likely to fall over. To avoid this risk when clearing, the National Trust had used a contractor with mechanical equipment, such as a walking excavator, to clear the edges of the footpath. This is safer than manual clearing and the timber is turned into wood or chipped for wildlife. Roughly £160,000 was spent in the last year to clear sites including Pulpit Hill and Aston Wood. The next site to be looked at is Hughenden, which would be closed for two weeks to clear diseased ash trees on the main visitor route. Work was also planned for Coombe Hill this winter 2021/22, which was delayed due to the nesting season. Where there was a lot of felling, the National Trust were also replanting, particularly at Bradenham. About 11,500 trees would be planted this winter. Funding had been provided by the National Trust Plant a Tree Campaign. £60,000 had been granted for the replanting, about six hectares of ash dieback. A large proportion of the money would go towards on-site preparation, such as deer fencing.

 

In response to this update, the following points were mentioned:

·         The main issue of ash dieback is that the trees become unpredictable. The National Trust review their trees in June and assess them on a percentage of crown die back. 50% and greater crown dieback signals for the tree to be removed the following winter. Less than 50% dieback could mean that the tree can recover.

·         To avoid ground shrinkage, the National Trust were replanting and replace with hedges and shrub layers.

·         At Pulpit Hill on the edge of the Byway GLK/40A, a tree stump in the middle of the byway had been removed.

·         Landowners had a duty of care to anyone on their property. Mr Harris suggested prioritising trees based on usage and the target, e.g. the target is greater if the tree is next to a house rather than a field.

·         Trees in the Hughenden Valley were raised as a concern near the highway. Mr Clark requested details on the site so it can be inspected. The Forum were informed of a regular programme of inspection for trees in the county that should pick up any issues.

·         Regarding the work on Naphill Common, Mr Harris explained that a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) would be protected by Natural England and the Forestry Commission. To apply to do work on a SSSI, you have to give a statutory notice of operations (SNO).

·         Mr Clark informed the Forum that the Council RoW Team could organise free RoW closures for charities.

 

The Forum noted the letters on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Any other business

Minutes:

Mr Clark informed members that John Elfes has offered his resignation and Mr Clark would draft a letter of thanks for his long service as former chairman and more recent member on behalf of the LAF. Mr Roy Johnson, Ramblers Association, has been offered and has accepted an invitation to join the Forum in his place.

10.

Date of next meetings

2nd March 2022; 13th July 2022; and 2nd November 2022

Minutes:

Wednesday 2 March 2022; Wednesday 13 July 2022; and Wednesday 2 November 2022.