SOUTH WILTS GROUP RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION

Footpath committee Meeting 8th September 2008

Present - M Callow, U Milner-White, J Hawkins, S Dawson, P Dashwood, N Cowen, N Martin, G Read

Apologies - N Dunnell, J Hawkins

VOLUNTEER WORKING PARTIES  

Heavy - June    2 Wooden K/Gates Redlynch 11                                                              30 Hours

                        Way-marking and clearance in Winterslow, Pitton, West Dean,

                         and Grimstead                                                                                      26.5 hours

            July      Teffont 14-Railway underpass cleared, kissing gate installed to

                        form a permissive alternative crossing for railway. Original stile

                        also modified.                                                                                       19.5 hours

                        Signing of Access land in Alvediston                                                        21 hours

            August  Redlynch 54 - Steps built. Stile mended on Redlynch 55.

                        300 metres of Redlynch 39 cleared                                                          17.5 hours

Light - June      Whiteparish FP 16 part cleared                                                               19hours

            July      Pitton 16 cleared.                                                                                  11hours

                        Surveying, Way marking and clearing Ansty 2, Alvediston 4 + 17,

                        Ebbesbourne Wake 10, Swallowcliffe 7                                                    14hours

            August  Berwick St John FP 8                                                                              9 hours

1. MATTERS ARISING

1.1 Nick reported that the Clarendon Way signing was almost complete.

2. AGENDA ITEMS

2.1. Signing Access Land -Graham and Martin completed the signing of the pilot area in Alvediston in July. Since then some of the way-marks had been removed. Nick will investigate this; he suspects that the people running pheasant shooting may well be responsible. Graham will plan the marking of other areas for the future although he and Martin are concerned about the quality of the signs which make some of them very easy to remove.

Nick also reported on a new Higher Level Stewardship Scheme that is commencing at Chalk Pit farm in Broadchalke. Two permissive paths to link existing rights of way with this new stewardship land have been agreed and will be way-marked and stiles built.

2.2. Redlynch Project - Two more wooden kissing gates have been installed on Redlynch 11 and steps installed on Redlynch 54. An article thanking the South Wilts group has been published in the Parish Magazine. Work will continue in future with 4 more wooden kissing gates purchased by the New Forest National Park Authority to be installed.

3. Footpath Reports - 8037 - 8058

4. Correspondence and Agreed Responses

4.1 WCC - Footpath at Sutton Mandeville - Order made to add path-no objections have been received so order confirmed.

4.2 WCC - Footpath 11 Newton Tony (part) - Proposed Diversion through RSPB reserve. No comments to make, we were pleased to hear that permissive paths are to be added on the reserve.

4.3 WCC - Bridleway 29 Amesbury (again!!) - Sent to S o S for determination with recommendation for confirmation without modification. Hearing date set for 20/01/09 in Amesbury.

4.4 WCC - Footpath 24 Durnford - Minor diversion proposed - no comment made.

4.5 WCC - Claimed Bridleway at Winterbourne Gunner - As reported last meeting this had been rejected on the grounds of insufficient evidence. An appeal has now been made to S o S regarding this decision.

4.6 WCC - Proposed changes to Definitive map of Bulford - Bulford PC has asked WCC to correct anomalies of the network in the parish. Modifications would need to be made to upgrade some ROWs to byways- we have no comment.

4.7 WCC - Order made for Figheldean 15 (Old Marlborough Road) to become Byway. No comment.

5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

5.1 Graham has been asked to respond to the letter in the last edition of Walk regarding paths in Whiteparish as he had surveyed these paths last summer. Nick has since had working groups working to correct problems in this area. Norman has received a copy of the correspondent's original email which is dated mid June, this suggests that he did not allow much time for repairs to take place before he sent his letter to Walk! Graham will respond in detail to the email as well as composing a letter for publication.

5.2 Heavy Gang in September this will now take place on the 22nd as Nick is away the Monday before. It is hoped to repair a reported problem with a bridge at Stapleford.

5.2 Following the decision made at main committee regarding the length of time documents will be kept Norman will start to clear the footpath committee files. Documents dating before 2000 will be destroyed.

5.3 Patricia reported that Alderbury Parish Council are pursuing the possible river crossing to link up paths despite being told that they are unlikely to succeed.

5.4 Nick asked if we would consider trying to find volunteers to survey the Wessex Ridgeway path that passes through Wiltshire. This was originally instigated by the RA and is in great need of work especially way-marking.

He also showed us a map that has been devised suggesting bus walks. This map is available at the tourist office and other Salisbury Council venues.

5.5 Norman announced that after five years as joint footpath secretary that he will be resigning at the AGM.

6. NEXT MEETING    Monday November 3rd 2008 2.00 pm Wilton Depot Meeting Room.