Agenda item

Helen Francis, Senior Definitive Map Officer; Jonathan Clark, Strategic Access Officer; and Joanne Taylor, Rights of Way Operations Team Leader.

Attention was drawn to the report circulated as part of the agenda reports pack and any questions were invited.

Following questions related to the Definitive Map Applications section of the report, Helen Francis (Definitive Map Officer) then confirmed the following:

The expected waiting time for the team to assess an application stood at four years, primarily owing to lack of resources. The team was training new members, and sending more applications to be determined by the Secretary of State in an increased effort to work through the existing backlog. The Forum was agreeable to the suggestion that this demonstrated the need for more resources in the department.

The delay in determining applications had also been caused by the need to hold public inquiries in cases where appeals had been lodged. With limited budget and resources, these had to be staggered, which could push determination dates back still further. It was hoped that if the current team remained in post, then the backlog would be diminished as applications were processed more quickly.

Jon Clark (Senior Strategic Access Officer) gave an overview of Appendix A accompanying the Strategic Access Update section of the report to the forum. This indicated two areas where planning applications made under the HS2 Act would precede Schedule 4 applications to divert public rights of way over bridges. The first would form part of the Buckinghamshire Cycle Way running northwest from Wendover and connect Elseborough Road and Nashleigh Lane. Jon confirmed that it would be a Type 1 stone surface track, and he was awaiting discussions with HS2 regarding its final access status.

The second concerned the A4010 Risborough Road underpass which would become a three-metre wide, two and a half metre tall underpass for cyclists. The underpass would provide a new link into Stoke Mandeville. It was hoped that the Buckinghamshire Cycling, Walking & Infrastructure Plan would consider the possibility of a further link southeast of that point towards Risborough.

After questions, the following was clarified:

Conversations would be held with HS2 regarding the possible takeover of maintenance tracks running along the line, though this would likely be done on a case-by-case basis.

Jon informed the forum that Savannah Fradley had been promoted to Rights of Way Officer. Savannah’s vacant post had already been filled full-time by James Dixon. Additionally, Sophie David would be leaving the team at the end of December 2022. Recruitment for Sophie’s replacement was underway.

The results of the BVPI Rights of Way Condition Survey for winter 21/22 were as follows:

The 22/23 winter’s 5% survey would be undertaken using volunteers and officers, with results available at the March 2023 LAF meeting.

Berry Hill Footbridge, Taplow Public Footpath [TAP/12/1] would re-open in Summer 2023. Environment Agency works on the Jubilee River had caused a delay to the initial installation timetable.

Summer clearance had been aided by the parishes in conjunction with the Rights of Way teams, and two external contractors. 80km of clearance had been completed this year. It was hoped that some further clearance could be accomplished over Winter.

The rejuvenation of the Bernwood Jubilee Way [BJW] 61-mile Historic Trail had been delayed owing to the sad news of Her Late Majesty the Queen’s death.

An event to celebrate fifty years of the Ridgeway National Trail would be held in September 2023. Further information could be found online. Sarah Wright (Ridgeway National Trail Officer) had requested that anyone who had identified parts of the trail that were not up-to-standard to get in touch with her to make her aware.

Following questions, Jon confirmed the following:

The summer-clearance continued to be well supported by many of the parishes involved. Jon would speak to Joanne Taylor (Team Leader, Rights of Way) to ascertain how the scheme was funded but was confident it remained the same as had been the case previously. It was hoped that some of the money given to parishes operating under devolved services could be used towards clearance efforts, either conducted by themselves or through external contractors.