Torridge Footpath Officer’s Report to AGM 2016 – 2017

My work as group footpath officer for Torridge often overlaps with Jon’s for North Devon. This is because our Ramblers’ boundaries do not follow the District Councils of North Devon, Torridge and West Devon. Because we cover a total of 120 parishes we are forced to be reactive rather than proactive.

Planning – I have written thirteen letters to TDC this year. In most cases this is to remind them that a public right of way should not be blocked or walkers inconvenienced where building work is taking place. Last year I spoke of a case at Buckland Brewer where we objected to an application in January 2015, the application was refused, a revised application was put in to which we still objected. The application which is for five houses has now been granted and an Order for a small diversion of Footpath No. 1 is going through the legal process.

Footpath complaints – We have a steady number of footpath complaints, especially from some of our more intrepid leaders. However, most are minor ones concerning overgrowth or the need to replace footpath furniture and are quickly resolved by DCC. Two good results this year, resolved in the lead up to a group walk, were at Shirwell and near to Dolton. Please continue to let us know if you find problems when walking. There is a footpath complaint form on our group website or you can obtain one from me. The more information you can provide the better, especially a photo. I have also passed on complaints on footpaths outside of our territory, including Crediton, near Tamar Lakes and Marsland Manor. If in Devon I will copy-in the local group footpath officer. One of our members was also able to advise Exeter group on a proposed diversion at Burrington in July.

Diversions etc. – We agreed to a two-part diversion of a footpath to the north of Sheepwash, after an initial objection. We had only been informally consulted on one section of the diversion. This involved moving a cross-field path to a route beside the hedge. A similar proposal, still under consideration, is Footpath No. 2 at Buckland Brewer, where the new route would follow the hedge and be fenced. Each diversion proposal that we consider is treated on it’s own individual merits. As walkers I would value your opinions on these types of diversions. Also ongoing is the Definitive Map review in the parishes of Bridgerule and Pyworthy.

I try to keep a copy of the Traffic Regulation Orders published in the North Devon Journal. This is where a ROW can be closed for a six-month period for health and safety reasons. This may be due to building works, such as at Allenstyle, or erosion, such as at Horsey Island. I try to attend the DCC ROW meetings at County Hall but only made one this year. There are some new councillors on the committee since the elections in May. Devon Area has two footpath meetings, normally in October and in March which Jon and I try to attend as it is good to listen to problems and solutions from other group footpath officers.

An update on the ‘Around England Coast Path' – We have had two meetings in Exeter this year with Natural England in January and August. Their report to the Secretary of State on the Minehead to Combe Martin section was published for public comment in the summer. We were pleased to see improvements proposed for Porlock Weir and Glenthorne but very disappointed that little change is planned at Lee Abbey. NE is currently starting work on the Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth section and will come back to us prior to this report being published (hopefully in the spring of next year).

We continue to have excellent relations with DCC and with Exmoor National Park. Thank you to Jon and to all who have passed in complaints or alerted us to planning applications during the year. Please continue to do so. Joan Long 28th October 2017.