Agenda item

Annette Weiss, Head of Engagements & Partnerships, Chilterns Conservation Board.

Annette Weiss (Head of Engagements & Partnerships, Chilterns Conservation Board) gave a presentation to the LAF outlining the investment that had been made to improve accessibility in the Chilterns through the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) access funding scheme. The slides would be appended to the minutes of the meeting.

The following key points were raised in her presentation:

Following the allocation of £14 million by DEFRA for countryside accessibility investment in the wake of the 2019 Glover Landscapes Review, £227,000 had been received by the Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB) in 2022/23, which was to be used to make, ‘…protected landscapes more accessible to people of all ages and abilities and from all backgrounds’.

Due to time constrains, there had not been the wide-reaching consultation with the public and other bodies as to how the funding could be allocated which the CCB would have hoped to undertake. Therefore, the board worked closely with partners on several accessibility projects which would be detailed to the LAF in her presentation.

It was anticipated that a further £261,480 would be made available to the CCB in 2024/25 for access improvements, which afforded the opportunity to spend time consulting with external groups, invite applications for funding, and explore opportunities to develop a wider strategic approach with collaborative projects across the Chilterns. A ‘Widening the Welcome’ workshop was scheduled to take place on 25th September to gather ideas with stakeholders and discuss opportunities to this end.

The projects funded with the 2022/23 funding included:

·       New mobility vehicles at the Centre for Outdoor Accessibility Training, Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve.

·       A seven-seater electric vehicle for the Chiltern Rangers to transport conservation volunteers with dementia, limited mobility, and other restrictions.

·       Funding for the Bucks disability service to do accessibility and inclusivity surveys, at popular countryside sites including Brush Hill Nature Reserve, White Hill Nature Reserve, Captain's Wood, and Ashton Rowan Nature Reserve.

·       Contribution to resurfacing and accessibility improvements on the Wendover Canal towpath.

·       The development of an augmented reality app at three hillfort sites in the Chilterns.

·       The installation of a new Disabled toilet in the Chiltern Open Air Museum.

Some initial improvements had also been made to the Chess Valley Walk, and a survey had been conducted to identify areas for further improvement over the next three to five years.

Annette invited feedback on the presentation, and for anyone to submit ideas for future projects that may improve accessibility following the meeting.

David Briggs explained that he had felt it necessary to fence off the footpath for the part of the Chess Valley Walk that crossed his land, due to uncontrolled dog attacks on his livestock, and ramblers straying from the footpath. He was also concerned that the increase in footfall he had noticed along the route post-covid posed a risk to the surface quality of the footpath, which threatened to become muddier and require increased maintenance.

Annette confirmed that she was aware of the issues raised, and that funding was available through the Chess Valley Smarter Water Catchment initiative to mitigate the problem. A survey had been conducted by Sustrans to identify long term solutions, including the possibility of a more robust hardstanding surface for the footpath in the future. Efforts were also being made to reduce pressure on the Chess Valley route by promoting alternative circular walks going up and around the Chiltern hills.

Members thanked Annette for her time and presentation, and would be in touch to submit suggestions for future accessibility projects in due course.