Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Karen Haining, Melanie Rose, Glyn Thomas and Gavin Caspersz.

David Briggs declared an interest for the Chess Smarter Catchment Project item.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st November 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

 Steph Horn, Smarter Water Catchment Project Coordinator, Chilterns AONB.

Please note that there were changes to the order in which these items were heard. This item was heard following the Definitive Map Applications - Statement of Priorities 2024 and Active Travel and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LWCIP).

The LAF received a presentation from Steph Horn, Smarter Catchment Project Coordinator – Chilterns AONB. A copy of the presentation has been appended to these minutes.

The project focused on 6 different themes to enhance the River Chess catchment. A budget of £3million was available for a period of 5 years, until March 2025. Sustrans were engaged in 2022 to review access within the Chess catchment with the aim of understanding routes and usage. Analysis found that the Chess Valley walk between Chesham and Rickmansworth was the most popular.

The Smarter Water Catchment Team steering group decided they wanted to enhance the number of connections and increase the number of points of interest. An analysis of different routes and nodes was undertaken in 2022-2023. A stakeholder workshop was help in 2023, hosted by the Chiltern Chalkstream Project, to look at the options for alternative routes identified by Sustrans. In particular, participants were looking at:

• What makes a good route,
• Experiences in the catchment,
• And feedback on the draft network.

Sustrans then identified 3 different routes to review further and developed a criteria for route testing. Barriers impeding access and routes were noted, such as kissing gates or stiles. Following on from this, the new Chesham to Amersham walking route was deemed the most deliverable and fitting of the criteria above. Steph detailed the next steps to ensure the route would be delivered from April 2024, including surveys and landowner engagement.

The LAF also noted the introduction of footfall counters to understand how many people use the Chess Vally Walk. This would create a data set accessible to partners to enable the development of funding bids. 3 locations were identified:

• Latimer Road beyond the Sewage Treatment Works
• Frogmore Meadows
• M25 Solesbridge Lane

It was noted that the Chiltern Society had developed 6 new pub-to-pub walks, which had received positive reviews and engagement. The circular routes had promoted local businesses. The Chilterns Conservation Board had also developed a route aimed at children around chalk streams. Other routes were being looked at for the Chiltern Society Magazine.

In the comments that followed, concern was raised over the fencing of the river, resulting in a loss of the openness of the landscape.

Jonathan Fuller, Principal Transport Strategy Officer, Buckinghamshire Council.

This item was heard second, following the Definitive Map Applications – Statement of Priorities 2024 item.

The LAF received a presentation from Jonathan Fuller, Principal Transport Strategy Officer and Benjamin Feeney-North, Senior Transport Strategy Officer. They gave an overview of the work undertaken by the Council’s transport strategy team including those delivered under the Active Travel scheme and updates on the LCWIP. A copy of the presentation has been appended to these minutes.

A selection of Active Travel schemes were highlighted, including:

• St Peter’s Greenway through Quarrendon which utilised both rights of way and permissive routes.
• Platinum Way running between Aylesbury Vale Parkway station and Aylesbury town centre, as part of the Gemstone routes. It was noted that this route was predominantly highway focused and was upgraded in 2023.
• Canal Towpaths, particularly along the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union Canal to improve surface conditions.
• Misbourne Greenway soon delivering a 4km link between Wendover Dean and Great Missenden.

It was explained that the schemes were centred around involving the community as much as possible, to support local resident’s confidence in utilising the transport infrastructure. Activities included tree planting, chalk artwork competitions with local school children, and bikeability events with the Bike Register initiative.

Jonathan Fuller introduced the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs), which are strategies developed by local authorities nationally to outline priorities for future investment in walking, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure. These plans can be created at a range of scales such as town, city or authority-wide. It was explained that the LCWIPs were needed to be able to access external funding, either through government bids or external partners.

The following LCWIPs were identified:

• Aylesbury Garden Town: produced in 2019.
• Buckinghamshire: light-touch LCWIP developed.
• High Wycombe: LCWIP adopted by Cabinet in January 2024.
• Buckinghamshire-wide LCWIP: currently in development and will cover the county as a whole.
• Chesham: being developed locally, led by Chesham Town Council.

Extensive data analysis had been conducted to identify different destination types across the county and understand the demand for active modes of transport to feed into the Buckinghamshire LCWIP. The team had also conducted a range of engagement exercises across all the Community Board areas and local Member input had been sought to understand their local priorities. It was recognised that the proposed network needed to be realistic in terms of scope.

The Buckinghamshire LCWIP was in the process of approvals prior to going out for consultation. The LAF would be made aware when the consultation was live so they can input their views.

Following questions from LAF members, the following was raised:

• Efforts are made to maximise the protection for new cycle routes, which involved considering adopting the cycleway or ensuring bridleway classification. However, this was dependent on the route in question and was decided on a case-by-case basis. It was identified that a number of routes, such as the Waddesdon Greenway, use a mixture of permissive arrangements and rights of way.
• Buckinghamshire Greenway would be part of the national cycling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Claire Hudson, Definitive Map and Highway Searches Team Leader, Buckinghamshire Council.

This item was heard first.

Helen Francis, Senior Definitive Map Officer, presented the revised Statement of Priorities, which was included in the agenda pack. Two changes were proposed; update the document with the corporate plan vision and state the Council’s intention to investigate and make and order for at least one ‘documentary evidence only’ based Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO) each year. The LAF welcomed the changes and agreed to proceed with finalising the Statement of Priorities.

Claire Hudson, Definitive Map and Highways Searches Team Leader; Jonathan Clark, James Spratley Strategic Access Officers; and Joanne Taylor, Rights of Way Operations Team Leader.

Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer, gave a summary of the definitive modification map applications caseload and welcomed any questions.

Regarding strategic access, a second sinkhole had appeared near Great Missenden. Councillor Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, and Councillor Steve Broadbent met with HS2 officials and the sinkhole was repaired quickly by January 2024. The Buckinghamshire Council website had been kept up-to-date with the diversion and reopening of the footpath.

Councillor Steve Broadbent confirmed that the Council had asked for ongoing monitoring to ensure there were no further ground movements, although it was unclear how long this would continue.

Buckinghamshire Council had been consulted on Rosefield Solar Farm for their environmental scoping report and the impacts of a potential project of that size. The Strategic Access team identified 25 public rights of way, across 7 parishes, that would be affected. Concern was raised over the attractiveness of the site and whether it would have an impact on other routes. The developer proposed a rights of way plan for the site, which could be brought to the LAF at a future meeting for comments.

Following discussion, key points raised included:

• A map overlay displaying the rights of ways affected by the Rosefield Solar Farm would be distributed to LAF members.

Action: Strategic Access Team

• The Strategic Access team would investigate the possibility of section 106 contributions from the developers, which could be used in offsite improvements to enhance the rights of way network outside the boundary of the solar farm.

Action: Strategic Access Team

• Councillor Alan Turner encouraged members of the LAF to engage with the planning process and submit their suggestions, if the application goes to committee.

18 donors had been sourced as part of the Donate-a-Gate scheme, to improve the network in partnership with the Chilterns Society.

Jonathan Clark also presented the operations update, highlighting the changes to staffing with 1.5 vacant posts and further recruitment proposed. It was explained that the team were unable to complete the winter BVPI Rights of Way Condition Survey 2023/24 due to resource issues, however it was intended that a 5% condition survey be undertaken in 2024. The capital project update reported on the winter storms and floods that impacted the work of the team. Concern was raised over the impact such damage will have on future budgets due to climate change.

A query was raised about the access point near Chawley Manor Farm on Bottom Road. It was agreed that Jonathan Clark would look into this further.

Action: Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer

James Spratley, Strategic Access Officer, presented the report and informed members that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead LAF had approached Buckinghamshire LAF regarding the permissive footpaths around Eton Rowing Lake. A request had been received, asking the Buckinghamshire LAF to co-author a letter to Eton College to ask that the paths remain open all-year round.

It was agreed that the Buckinghamshire LAF would support the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead LAF, but would encourage an informal approach to present possible solutions.

LAF members were informed of the away-day planned at the Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training on Saturday 30^th April 2024.

The LAF agreed that a formal letter be sent to thank former LAF member, Alison Heath, for her service.

Action: Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer

Brian Worrell shared the response Sir Mike Penning MP received from Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature, regarding the cut-off date for recording rights of way onto the definitive map. A copy of this letter has been attached to these minutes.

·       10am 10^th July 2024 (Paralympic Room, The Gateway, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF)

·       10am 6^th November 2024 (Paralympic Room, The Gateway, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF)

10am, 10th July 2024 (Paralympic Room, The Gateway, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF)