SOUTH WILTS GROUP RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION

Footpath committee Meeting 4^th February 2008

Present - G Read, U Milner-White, S Dawson, P Dashwood, M Callow, N Cowen, N Martin, P Crabb attended for                      item on Access Signing

Apologies - N Dunnell, J Hawkins

VOLUNTEER WORKING PARTIES  

Heavy - December         Installed 2 kissing gates and renovated flight of steps

                                    on Winterslow 55                                                                       28 Hours                                                          

             January            Cleared Downton 25                                                                   18 Hours

Light - December           Cleared West Dean 9                                                                  10.5 Hours

             January            Cleared Firsdown 41                                                                   21 Hours

MATTERS ARISING

Nick will produce letters of identification for volunteers assisting the WCC in their rights of way work as discussed at last meeting.

Nick has written to a letter to the lady who complained about the work of the light gang in November. No reply had been received.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Signing Access Land

Pat Crabb (Area Access Officer) attended for this item as Graham had suggested that we could speed up the implementation of the signing of Access land in South Wilts with volunteer action. Graham had looked at the access website that identifies the parcels of land and he considered that we could put up signs in these areas once land owners had been notified. He had noticed that the land fell into 3 main categories a) that crossed by Rights of way b) that bordered by ROW and c) isolated blocks that would need negotiated and dedicated means of entry.

Following discussion, during which Pat gave valuable advice, it was agreed that Graham, in liaison with Nick, would devise a pilot scheme based on Alvediston and that volunteers would be sought to help place Access signs in the pilot area. Regular reports on progress will be made to this committee.

2. Redlynch Project

Following the survey of Redlynch paths Norman has shared the information with the Parish Council and has met with them to offer our voluntary labour to right some of the problems found. The PC has agreed to find some money to buy materials. Nick was consulted with regard to pricing and he also contacted the New Forest National Park Authority as more that half Redlynch paths fall within their boundary. The outcome of this was finding that the NFNPA had some money in this year’s budget that we could use for materials in the improvement of the paths.

Nick and Graham visited the areas involved to look at the feasibility of the work being carried out this year by the heavy gang. At the moment proposals are with the PC as they have agreed to obtain landowners permission for the works to be carried out. In most cases in the New Forest area the work would be replacing stiles with wooden kissing gates. Regular reports on progress will be made to this committee.

3. FOOTPATH REPORTS - 7105 - 8005

7105     29/11/07        Donhead St Mary             FP 57               894 231                                     M Callow            Broken Fingerpost

CORRESPONDENCE AND AGREED RESPONSES

The following seven items of correspondence were noted. No action was required by the committee.

1.        WCC - Confirmation of Reclassification as Byway Shrewton 29

2.        WCC - Claimed Bridleway at Wylye/Stockton

3.        WCC - Milston Drove Application for reclassification as Byway to be supported by WCC

4.        WCC - Proposed stopping up of part Salisbury BR 13 Carrion Pond Drive

5.        WCC - Order made for addition of path Shrewton FP 40

6.        WCC - Claimed BR at Winterbourne Earls

7.        WCC - Order made to divert Tollard Royal FP 18

WCC has sent us a draft consultation copy of their Rights of Way Improvement Plan as comments are required Martin and Patricia agreed to study it on behalf of the committee. They will consult with other members should contentious issues arise. Their findings will be forwarded to the Area Footpath Secretary who wishes to make an area response. We can of course forward our own comments should we feel necessary.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Norman had noted in an email from Phil Wilson that the Area paid for a BTVC insurance to cover work on paths. The email was somewhat ambiguous so it was agreed that we would ask to see the full insurance document so we were clear regarding cover for voluntary work.

Graham has been asked to prepare a budget for this year’s voluntary work on paths. This he found somewhat difficult especially with the extra work we may be doing (see previous items). He has therefore taken last years figures and applied a percentage increase which he hopes will cover our expenses for next year. This will amount to approximately £60 per month.

Nick informed us that the latest supply of stile timber that he has received has a flat side that may be more useful for use as way marks.

NEXT MEETING    Monday April 7^th 2.00 pm Wilton Depot Meeting Room.