SOUTH WILTS GROUP RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION

Footpath committee Meeting 7^th April 2008

Present - S Dawson, P Dashwood, M Callow, N Cowen, N Martin, J Hawkins

Apologies - N Dunnell, G Read, U Milner-White

VOLUNTEER WORKING PARTIES  

Heavy - February          Grimstead 11 cleared 200m x 5m                                                33 hours

             March              Donhead St Mary  3 Kissing Gates Installed                                  35 hours

Light - February            Britford Byway 99                                                                       18 hours

             March              Sedgehill and Semley 25 part cleared and section way-marked      12.5 hours

MATTERS ARISING

Nick will produce letters of identification for volunteers now he has returned from holiday.

AGENDA ITEMS

1. Signing Access Land - This is progressing with Nick producing letters for the land owners

2. Redlynch Project - Nick has arranged for the purchase of 8 wooden Kissing gates from the New Forest budget. We are now awaiting confirmation of land owners permission from Redlynch PC. Norman will email to enquire as to developments.

3. Rights of Way Improvement Plan Comments -These comments kindly produced by Martin and Patricia were sent to the area footpath secretary who incorporated them into an Area response. All our comments were used.

4. Definitive Maps on CD - Norman and Graham now had copies and they were proving very useful. Martin and John enquired if they could get copies. Nick thought this possible and Norman agreed to email Allan Francis at County Hall to ask on their behalf.

5. Footpath Reports - 8007 - 8018

8007        03/02/2008            Dinton     FP 14                       023 311                   M Turnbull               Tree across Path

8008        10/02/2008            Broadchalke            FP            041 254                   K Callow                   Stile rotten

8009        10/02/2008            Fonthill Gifford       FP 4         927 277                   K Callow                   Very high stile

8010        20/02/2008            Sedgehill + Semley FP 42 + 44 910 257                   I Jures                     poorly marked Locked gates

8011        21/02/2008            Pitton + Farley       BR 41       200 327                   P Dashwood            Fingerpost needed

8012        21/02/2008            Alderbury                BR 6                         182 264                   P Dashwood            Fingerpost needed

8013        21/02/2008            Salisbury BW 19                      152 285                   P Dashwood            Fingerpost needed

8014        28/02/2008            Sedgehill + Semley                   Various                   G Read                     Fingerposts + pointers needed

8015        12/03/2008            Sedgehill + Semley FP 25 889 264 + 887 261          P Dashwood            Finger post + stiles needed

8016        12/03/2008            Sedgehill + Semley BR 28         890 263 + 889 263  P Dashwood            Fingerpost needed + wrong line

8017        23/03/2008            Odstock  Rest BW 10             152 264                   K Callow                   Gate Catch impossible to open

8018        01/03/08                                Dinton     FP 7                         023 314                   M Callow                  Fingerpost out of ground

Patricia reported that some of the missing fingerposts had already been replaced.

6. Correspondence and Agreed Responses

6.1 Email from The Monarchs Way Association asking for ‘minders’ for sections of this path through our area. Martin and John agreed to do two of the long sections and it was suggested that Norman ask Stephanie Down if she would do the short section in between. Norman will report on outcome.

6.2 RA - Big Hit campaign Letter and newsletter to Parish Councils. Sarah Perry has been informed of our link up with Redlynch, she is interested in doing a publicity piece later in the year to show other parishes what can be done.

6.3 WCC - Addition of footpath to Plaitford Common Landford 26 Order made to add this to Definitive Map.

6.4 WCC - Claimed footpath Shrewton 40 no objections received so order confirmed.

6.5 Gordon Norris - Planning in Fovant involving FP 3. Gordon has sent a comment and Norman has added to this on behalf of SW Ramblers.

6.6 WCC - Order made to divert Amesbury 29 (part) Solstice Park Development

6.7 Patricia Dashwood letter re Semley 25 and 28 also query re expenses. A member of the light gang had asked why Ramblers pay travel and not WCC. As one of the charitable aims of the RA was to care for ROWs and that the work benefited walkers, it was therefore correct to use RA money.

6.8 SDC - Residential Development The Portway Old Sarum Application no ROW involved. However Nick explained that all ROWs between Salisbury and this development will have to be upgraded as any purchaser of a house will be given 2 bicycles to use to get into town.

6.9 Email from Brian Crabtree re Harnham paths. Patricia will look at these to see if light gang can clear.

6.10 The first copy of a new newsletter the ‘Wiltshire Wayfarer’ had been published by WCC. Norman has arranged for copies to be sent to members by email or post.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Nick reported that 

1. Landford and Whiteparish parish councils will be approached following the surveys to see if they will help with remedial work where required.

2. New Clarendon Way and Avon Valley path signs had now arrived and will be put in place when time permits.

3. A small tractor that could help clear ROWs had been purchased and will be shared across Wiltshire.

Patricia reported that

1. The set of steps at Great Dunford now needed repair.

2. Alderbury parish council were investigating with the Longford estate the possibility of reinstating a river crossing.

3. That the line of Alderbury 16 to the river needed amending and properly way marking.

NEXT MEETING    Wednesday June 4th 2.00 pm Wilton Depot Meeting Room.