A Review of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2008 – 2015

‘LUTON’S GREAT OUTDOORS’

June 2015

Contents

Report Purpose ...... 3

Introduction and Background ...... 3

Legal Context ...... 5

Review of plan structure and layout ...... 6

Action Plan review ...... 8

Delivery Highlights ...... 9

Course Description ...... 13

Action Plan Performance review ...... 14

On-going issues and Challenges ...... 28

Recommendations ...... 29

Produced for Luton Borough Council by Woods - Countryside and Leisure

Woods Countryside and Leisure were commissioned in May 2015 to deliver a review and refresh of Luton Borough Councils - Rights of Way Improvement Plan and to develop a strategy to update their Definitive Map and resolve the excluded area.

Report Purpose

To undertake a review of Luton Borough Councils, Rights of Way Improvement Plan - Published in July 2008. Looking at the structure of the plan and performance against the actions stated within its action plan.

Making recommendations as to the content and structure of the proposed refreshed plan, to be developed later in 2015.

Introduction and Background

Luton Borough Council commenced work on producing its first Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP), in November 2006. Following extensive network and user analysis, the active involvement of the Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF) and public and stakeholder consultation, the final plan ‘Luton’s Great Outdoors’ was published in July 2008.

The plan was published with an Action Plan covering the period 2008 – 2015 (an 8 year period), from page 16 of this document a review of progress is provided.

The production of the plan, although led by the Transport Strategy team, was cross cutting and provided linkage between Transport, Parks and Public Health. The management of the Rights of Way network is the responsibility of the Highways Team.

Working alongside the RoWIP are / were the following Luton strategies:

• LBC Luton Local Plan 2001 – 2011

• LBC Luton Local Plan 2011 - 2031

• LBC Local Transport Plan 2 2006 – 2011

• LBC Local Transport Plan 3 2011 – 2026

• Luton Forum (LSP) – Sustainable Communities Strategy 2008 – 2026

• LCCG – A Healthier Luton 2012 – 2015

• NHS Luton / Public Health Luton - Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)

• LBC / LCCG Improving Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2012 - 2017

• LBC Sustainable Travel Plan 2011 – 2015

• Luton and Southern Bedfordshire Green Infrastructure Plan 2009

• Luton Green Infrastructure Plan 2014

• LBC Greenspace Strategy Review 2014

• LBC Landscape Character Assessments 2014

Luton Borough Council has worked with the JLAF, throughout the production and delivery of the plan. Following a unitary review in 2009, the Local Access Forum was re- formed as the Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF). The forum have received regular updates on issues related to the delivery of the RoWIP and have been involved in a number of related consultations e.g. the production of the Gating Orders Strategy.

In Luton the public rights of way comprise:  22.5 kilometres of footpath (for use by pedestrians only)  15.7 kilometres of bridleway (for use by pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders)  There are currently no RUPPs, BOATs or Restricted Byways recorded in Luton.

There are a number of Parks and Green Corridors that form access corridors throughout Luton, the Council has holistically included these in the development of its RoWIP.

There are also a number of areas defined as “open access” land over which, since November 2005, people have a right to undertake recreational activities on foot.

Map showing the Access Network within Luton Borough (RoWIP July 2008).

Legal Context

As a local highway authority, Luton Borough Council is required under The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to prepare and publish a Rights of Way Improvement Plan. The Act also places a duty on the Council, in exercising and performing its functions, to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of AONB’s. This is relevant as the Chilterns AONB adjoins Luton.

The process required for the production of Rights of Way Improvement Plans is set out within guidance published by DEFRA and is steered and shaped by Natural England. In later advice DEFRA published a guidance note on the relationship and connectivity with the Local Transport Planning (LTP) process.

“Local highway authorities and National Park authorities (“appointing authorities”) are required to establish advisory bodies known as local access forums for their areas. The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations (SI 2002 No. 1836), which came into force on 7 August 2002, gave these authorities one year from that date to establish local access forums. It is the function of the local access forum, as respects of the area for which it is established, to advise on the improvement of public access to land in that area for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area, and as to other such matters as prescribed in legislation.”

“The role of local access forums in relation to rights of way improvement plans may include, for example: • Commenting on opportunities for access to open countryside especially where new linear routes may be desirable; • Assisting local highway authorities in setting priorities for implementing their plans; and • Commenting on published draft plans.”

“Local highway authorities are among the bodies that must have regard to the advice given to them by local access forums. Local highway authorities must, therefore, involve and consult local access forums before preparing or reviewing their plans and in particular in making assessments related to a rights of way improvement plan under section 60(1)(a) and 60(3)(a). It would be helpful if the local highway authority also prepared progress reports for local access forums as plans are prepared, published, implemented and reviewed”. (Extracts from DEFRA Statutory Guidance on the production of RoWIP – November 2002)

LBC has duties under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Highways Act 1980 to keep a Definitive Map and statement of rights of way, and to ensure that rights of way are adequately signed, maintained and free from obstruction.

The Definitive Map shows the public rights of way over four categories of route, which are highlighted in the Introduction. If a right of way is shown on the Definitive Map then this is evidence that there is a public right in existence on a date known as the “relevant date”. However, the reverse is not true, so if a right of way is not on the Definitive Map this is not proof that the public have no rights over it. The map must be available for the public to inspect free of charge at all reasonable hours.

Review of plan structure and layout

Luton Borough Council’s, Rights of Way Improvement Plan (July 2008) was developed and constructed following published DEFRA guidance and with the support of the Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum (as required by statute).

The production of any new plan, tends to be based on bench-marking with other Authorities, as the RoWIP process was relatively new in 2006-8, all highway authorities were producing them around the same time and as a consequence only had limited peer guidance, mainly from a small selection of pilots, most of which at a county scale, rather than unitary level.

When reviewing it is worth considering how other urban focused authorities originally approached this challenge:

Central Milton Key Characteristics of a ROWIP Luton Thurrock Southend Slough Beds Keynes Undertook user & non - user      surveys. Proposed management and  maintenance enhancements to the     xx Rights of Way network. Explored options for wider     promotion. Considered the accessibility of the     network & proposed improvements. Considered the management of the     definitive map and statement. Explored the relationship of housing  growth / expansion and the    relationship with Rights of Way and landscape access. Considered personal safety.  Linkage to the Local Transport Plan.      Considered health benefits and associated with public health   delivery. Considered the role of green space and green corridors, rather than just   Rights of Way. Structured a dynamic action plan, that championed the need to explore    external funding opportunities to deliver in full. Created policy to support the  implementation of the plan and for  the management of access. Establishes a clear monitoring      programme to support the continues 6 review of RoWIP Outputs.

Thurrock - Rights of Way Improvement Plan has a strong focus on improved maintenance, information and accessibility. The plan states that only a limited amount of the action plan can be achieved within existing funds and proposes that additional and external funding will be required to meet the plan in full. . Within the action plan it applies estimated costs (£,££,£££), but nowhere in the plan does it indicate what these mean.

Southend – This Improvement Plan has been considered at a very high level, with a very low level of detail within the action plan. This plan has 5 core areas: 1. Processing of modification orders and other Definitive Map processes 2. Maintaining an adequately signed and well maintained network 3. Providing more Cycle and Bridle routes 4. Make the network more accessible 5. Improve cross boundary linkage

There are no specific actions recorded, some are linked to further studies that need to be undertaken, others state that funding from the Local Transport Plan or s106 agreements will be required to deliver.

Central Bedfordshire – This is one of the early second generation plans (2013 – 31) and has been refreshed taking into account the authorities new unitary role. The big changes in this plan is to apply greater focus to the implication of housing growth, public health and the creation of a more structured delivery monitoring process.

Slough – This plan has strong connection with their LTP document and the related Cycling and Walking Strategy, with most of the actions duplicated. The Action Plan is high level and is restricted to what they can achieve within the resources available at the time of plan production.

Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Council does not currently have a RoWIP, they are currently in the process of preparing their first plan

Action Plan review

The production of the Action plan, within the 2008 improvement Plan was separated into themes:

Theme 1: Better signed, maintained and accessible

Theme 2: Improved safety and security

Theme 3: Improved promotion of Rights of Way

Theme 4: Improved health and well-being

Theme 5: Enhanced Maintenance

The RoWIP took a holistic approach to access management, embracing access to parks and through green corridors as well as Rights of Way.

The action plan associated with each theme listed actions and indicated which of them were achievable within existing resources, and which required other partner organisations outside of the Council to either help deliver or fund particular improvements or initiatives.

The Local Transport Plan also included capital funding for cycling and pedestrian improvements, which will include improvements to the rights of way network.

During the delivery of the Action Plan 2008 – 2015 a number of changes have affected the delivery of the action plan.

 “Street Seen” project ended due to lack of funding.  Byway link to off –road vehicle area at Barton Quarry not progressed.  Regular walking buses rely on volunteer resources and emphasis of travel to school has changed, now focusing on safe use of scooters to travel to school.  Code of Conduct not displayed on multi-user paths.  Slow progress on updating Definitive Map.  Joint Core Strategy abandoned – Luton and Central Bedfordshire now producing separate Local Plans / Development Strategies  Local Area Agreements abandoned by Coalition Government.

Having identified what has changed and what was unable to be delivered, significant progress has been made against the delivery of the action plan. The Action Plan and the Delivery Highlights can be found from page 9 (below).

Delivery Highlights

Travel Luton: Luton has historically had a high rate of car ownership and usage and recent studies suggest over reliance on the private car has led to 50% of people living or working in Luton commuting by car less than 5km to get to work, with 23% of these journeys being within 2km - a reasonable walking or cycling distance. The Luton area suffers from high levels of congestion, particularly at peak times and there has been a poor perception of public transport. Car travel is also the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions in Luton.

For these reasons Luton has been the perfect place to be running a sustainable travel program and it is hoped that the many opportunities offered by Travel Luton will lead to reduced car usage, health benefits from walking and cycling and reduction in carbon emissions.

From personalised travel planning to Business and employee travel planning, over the last 4 years the Travel Luton sustainable travel programme has raised the profile of cycling and walking throughout Luton. Its web site http://www.travelluton.co.uk continues to have a high number of hits, a total of 43790. Travel Luton Facebook currently has 395 page likes with each post typically reaching between 20 – 140 people, Travel Luton - Twitter has 2473 followers.

The Travel Luton’s personalised journey planning project was completed in April 2015. Travel Luton continues to promote walking, cycling and public transport use via the Travel Luton website and social media.

A total of 48,000 households in Luton were contacted over the last 4 years about their travel options to work, school and to services and for leisure, and 112 businesses in Luton have engaged with the Travel Luton project for Personal Journey Planning events for their staff.

School Travel

Bikeability Cycle Training is carried out in schools in Luton for Years 5 and 6. Since 2011, 8,334 students have received training with 1975 trained during the last year. There are 8 ‘Bike It’ schools in Luton which are actively engaged with cycling and have a visiting Sustrans ‘Bike It’ Officer.

Guided Busway

With government investment the Guided Busway connects Luton to Houghton Regis via Dunstable. The Busway with its parallel cycle track runs a distance of 12.4km, it has reduced travel time, increased passenger numbers, reduced congestion and connects communities with both shops and employment but also with the benefit of connecting Luton to Blows Downs, Dunstable Downs and the wider Chilterns AONB.

Since the Busway was opened for journeys on the 25th September 2013 the route has more than halved bus journey times across the conurbation, as shown in the Table below:

Patronage over the following periods for Busway services are: Oct13-Mar14- 685,664 passengers Apr14-Sept 14- 749,930 passengers Oct 14-Mar 15- 838,442 passengers

A specific website has been set up for information on Busway services (Busway.net), which has received a total of 37,932 hits.

The cycle track adjacent to the Busway, has a counter just west of the Clifton Road stop, which, on average is counting 200 cycles per day passing over it (In both directions).

5 Green Corridors Project - this joint project with the Wildlife Trust, was created to enhance and promote access through 5 green corridors between communities and Warden and Galley Hills, each route was named and had extensive improvements to the paths. Signage, interpretation and new bespoke waymarkers.

Countryside Enhancements Initiative – was developed to promote countryside sites and make them active and engaging spaces for their local communities to enjoy. Many local communities were involved, assisting with historical information, doing volunteer tasks and helping to shape the projects. The Project at Dallow Downs was a joint project with the Faith Woodlands Community.

Upper Lea Valley Walk Enhancement – Although the Lea Valley Walk had been established for many years, the route through Luton had been lost through time. LBC saw this route as an excellent way to improve the standard of this corridor, and the green linkages to the Harpenden Valley, Luton Hoo and National Cycle Route 6.

 Upper Lea Valley Walk sign posts, waymarkers and footpath signs with a Swan symbol.  Upper Lea Valley Walk leaflet with map of route from the source of the River Lea. Sites of interest are given along the route with historical and wildlife information.  Key Bridges, replaced and refurbished.  The leaflet was produced by Luton Borough Council Highways and is printed and distributed by the Travel Luton project.  The Riverside Way, forming part of the Upper Lea Valley Walk and National Cycle Route 6 was also redeveloped and enhanced.

Parkrun at Wardown Park Parkrun at Wardown Park was officially launched on the 18th April 2015. This run, the first in Luton and only the second in Bedfordshire (the other been Bedford Park, Bedford) joins 340 (+) Parkrun’s nationally and worldwide in another 11 countries.

Parkrun has rapidly become the world’s largest running community with runs every Saturday morning at 9am across the world. These timed 5km runs are free to enter and welcome walkers and runners of all abilities.

Since its launch Wardown Park has hosted 8 runs with an average of 159 runners per week (Accurate as of 20/06/15).

COURSE DESCRIPTION The course is a “three and a bit” clockwise loop of Wardown Park and is run almost completely on tarmac paths, with a short section on grass. Starting by the New Bedford Road entrance at the south-west corner of the park, the course follows the western side of Wardown Lake, passing around the back of the museum and the tennis courts, then returning to the start along the eastern side of the lake. After the third lap, the run finishes in front of the Wardown Park Museum

Action Plan Performance review Luton Rights of Way Improvement Plan - Progress and Successes actions

Theme 1 A better signed, maintained and accessible network for the whole community 1.1 Establish a system of signs with Trails implemented at Stockwood Park and Kidney Wood (Parks). distances on key routes, together with clear consistent way markers Upper Lea Valley Walk sign posts, waymarkers and footpath signs all have a Swan that are in keeping with the symbol. Leaflet for walk produced by Highways in conjunction with Travel Luton). environment. National Cycle Network Route 6 signposts. Routes with signage created and  developed (Highways with Sustrans). Sustrans Luton to South Beds Way leaflet implemented.

Improvement of the five Green corridors leading to Warden and Galley Hills. Start point markers. (Natural Environment, funding from Highways).

Town centre pedestrian waymarking scheme completed by - Travel Luton and Highways

Wigmore Park and Stopsley Common – a system of signs and distances for the rights of way (Highways with Parks). 3,2,1 Markers introduced at Stockwood Park.

1.2 Improve routes to the town/district Continued programme of dropped crossings and tactile paving (Highways). centres and other key travel attractors such as transport Widening footpath link to Leagrave Station from Toddington Road / Grange Avenue interchanges for pedestrians and (Highways). cyclists, with particular consideration of the accessibility Improvements to the footpath from Stoneygate Road to Challney Girls School. needs of mobility impaired (Highways) people. Improvements to subways-improve lighting to Telford Way subway. Sandblasting of

Crawley Green Road subway ahead of repainting and installation of new lighting in 2013/14 (Highways).

Cycle route alongside the Busway and through Luton Town train station interchange. (Major Projects).

Sundon Arch footway works. Relocation of the footway from the south to the northern side of the road and installation of two toucan crossings (Highways).

Accessibility improvements to existing pedestrian crossings (Highways). Chaul End Lane Roundabout – new subway ramp for improved disabled access. Subway at Hatters Way roundabout with Chaul End Lane/Dallow Road. Design of replacement for southern stepped ramp to subway to improve disabled/ pushchair access (Highways).

Improvements to subways leading to the town centre (Highways).

Leagrave Station-Investigation and design of improved pedestrian and cycling access to the Marsh Road side of Leagrave Station (Highways).

1.3 Provide maps and accessibility Improvements to parks entrances at Peoples Park (Parks/Friends of information at the start of popular Hightown/Groundwork and funded by BIFFA). routes or, if appropriate, where they join parks or public open Five Green Corridors waymarker signs (Natural Environment). spaces/open access land. Interpretation boards at Fallowfields, Winsdon Hill, Cowslip Meadow, Limbury Meads, Stony Hill and Great Bramingham Park and Stockwood Park (Natural Environment and Parks).

Dallow Downs route map and information / activity leaflet (Faith Woodlands with Parks, Natural Environment and Travel Luton).

Site maps introduced at Stockwood Park, Kidney Wood and Wardown Park (Parks).

Dallow Downs Interpretation board (Faith Woodlands, Natural Environment).

1.4 Work with the Parks Service and 7 Luton Borough Council Parks now hold Green Flag Awards: Brantwood Park, the Council’s Environment Wardown Park, Stockwood Park, Memorial Park, Kidney Wood, Peoples Park and Manager to ensure that when Manor Park. signs are installed in parks and County Wildlife Sites they are The County Wildlife Sites maintained by Luton BC are Galley and Warden Hills, appropriate and consistent with Kidney Wood (both in CBC area), Bradger’s Hill & Stopsley Common, Cowslip other site furniture in order to Meadow , Fallowfield, Bluebell Wood, Dallow Downs (including Winsdon Hill), meet Green Flag criteria. Leagrave Common, including Waulud’s Bank, Limbury Meads, Wigmore Park,  Riverside Walk Stockwood Park and Stiony Hill. Interpretation panels with information on the natural environment have been installed at some of the County wildlife sites. (Landscape & Ecology)

Funding award from BIFFA (see 1.3) provided entrance signage at Peoples Park (Parks).

1.5 Work with ‘street seen’ The ‘street seen’ project has ended due to lack of funding – no further progress champions and youth workers to achieved. encourage regular users and schools to get involved in reporting on the condition of their local paths and help with keeping routes clear and tidy.

1.6 Encourage voluntary groups such Friends of Icknield and Runfold taking an active interest in the routes through as ‘Friends of Limbury Riverside Parks and working with LBC and partners to improve the route Parks’ and ‘Community with art installations (Parks and Natural Environment). Caretakers’ to extend their activities to cover routes to and Luton and Dunstable Conservation Group work to tidy up RoWs and County from parks. Wildlife Sites (Natural Environment).

Tidy up event day arranged for public to join in at Warden and Galley Hills (notice

board).

TEAMSP (Signpost) group undertaken a number of Big Tidy up events along the Limbury Riverside Park stretch of the Upper Lea Valley Walk. Winner of LBC volunteer award for environment category.

1.7 Ensure that the Council’s website www.luton.gov.uk has on line forms to complete to report problems on footpaths or has a category for reporting the highway. Each section can be found under Transport and Streets or using the problems with rights of way and alphabet menu or search box on the home page. other paths.  Road maintenance – Report a pothole or damaged road form.  Pavement service request form.  Report fly-tipping or dumping form.  Information pages on the Public Rights of Way and Maintenance of Walking Routes can be found under W: Walking.  To report graffiti there is a council phone number and to report flooding there is a 24 hour hot line number or a council phone number for road flooding.

1.8 Create a specific revenue budget Highway Maintenance Team has a revenue budget of £12,000 per annum for RoW for the maintenance of rights of of which £8,000 is a contribution to the Local Access Forum, the remainder is not way. sufficient for maintenance so it is subsided by the Highways General Maintenance Budget (Highways Maintenance).

1.9 Remove obstacles and other The RoWs are checked annually as part of the area maintenance plans. Reported blockages along rights of way and obstacles are removed as part of maintenance. other paths. 1.10 Maintain path surfaces of rights of Path repairs continue to be made, through a combination of service areas, way to a good and appropriate dependent on the nature of the path. standard. Repairs to surfaced paths but not to unmade paths (Highways Maintenance) Paths through Green Corridors and Parks (Parks Service) – only green corridors that are within specific park areas of responsibility or commissioned via highways. Paths through conservation and heritage sites (Local Projects Team)

1.11 Investigate circular routes for Improved RoW signage from Stopsley Green at the eastern fringe of town where horse riders / carriage drivers on there are both footpaths and actively used Bridleways (Parks and Highways). the eastern fringe of the town.

1.12 Investigate a ‘byway link’ to the This idea has not been followed up although opportunities may arise as part of the recreational area for off road four master planning of the growth area north of Luton wheel drive vehicles in the quarry at Barton cutting (Devils Pit).

1.13 Work with user groups, People that subscribe to ‘Travel Luton Club’ are asked to provide views on possible organisations representing improvements to walking and cycling routes, which are then fed back to the disabled people, pensioners, Council. ethnic minorities, the unemployed The Travel Luton Club e-newsletter (monthly) with a competition., encourages and schools/parents to develop a further engagement programme of improvements to Winter edition 1589 subscribers, 351 (23%) opens 86 (6%) clicks. enhance the accessibility of the network Travel Luton Business e-zine – 87 recipients, 25% open rate. Travel Luton Club web page – Year 3, 1194 unique visits

The Your Say, Your Way (YSYW) initiative (see LBC web) provides opportunities for local people to identify local priorities. These often include access issues. The improvements to Dallow Downs-Runley Road green route was funded by YSYW.

1.14 Work to improve rights of way and Bus routes to Dunstable and Cycle routes to Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade, transport links as stated in the Caddington (Bus and Cycle Maps). Chilterns AONB management plan (to improve access to the Links to Chilterns and routes from Travel Luton website and Chilterns AONB Chilterns from RoW with signage) website.

Galley and Warden Hills are part of the Chilterns AONB where the five green corridors leading to the hills have been improved (Natural Environment). New Busway shared use path provide link from Luton to Dunstable – link to NCN to

improve access to Dunstable Downs (Major Projects).

Theme 2 Improved promotion of rights of way

2.1 Produce a map showing the rights Cycle map shows Public Bridleways that cycles may use (Travel Luton). of way and open access land in Luton including highway footpaths Upper Lea Valley Walk leaflet has been reproduced (Highways, Parks and Travel and paths through parks and Luton). public open space and how accessible they are. The map will New Cycling and Walking Leaflet has been prepared, for publication in August provide details of places of 2015. This new leaflet shows routes across Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis. interest and available facilities. Ensure that this map is referred to in the Green Space Strategy and local Green Infrastructure Plan.

2.2 Work with organisations The improvements at Dallow Downs were delivered along with the Faith Woodlands representing disabled people, Community. pensioners, ethnic minorities, the unemployed, and schools/parents to establish ways of promoting rights of way.

2.3 Promote and improve public Park locations are included on the Luton Bus Map. transport links to the network of Chilterns website walking routes show public transport links. paths, particularly for the most Park locations will be included on the new Cycling and Walking Maps (see 2.1). important routes and parks. NB - Promotion of safe routes to parks still an issue..

2.4 Work with the Parks Service and Mapping and interpretation boards installed in the Limbury Riverside Park area and the Council’s Environment at Birdsfoot lane (entrance to Stony Hills) (Parks and Natural Environment). Manager to provide information and interpretation boards in parks Open Access Site maps on Warden and Galley Hills show rights of way. and County Wildlife Sites and ensure these boards also show Blows Downs, managed by the Wildlife trust is indicated on the Busway Mapping information on local rights of way and other paths. Other Interpretation has been installed on: Fallow Fields, Cowslip Meadow, Great Bramingham Park, Stockwood Park, Winsdon Hill, Dallow Downs and Leagrave Park.

2.5 Promote circular routes, The five green routes lead from residential areas to the Theed Way, Icknield Way particularly to the north of Luton, and paths of Warden and Galley Hills. From here people are able to make up their which pass through local open own walks or to follow an OS map (Natural Environment). space and provide links to the countryside and villages beyond. All older leaflets are archived on www.letsgo.org.uk. A programmed refreshing  some of these is in progress and being led by local volunteers with the support of Luton Friends of Parks and Green Spaces

2.6 Provide information in Luton Line The Parks Service advertises volunteering events in Luton Line under the banner of and on the Council’s website Love Parks. regarding activities and events on rights of way and in parks, for Community events are also advertised on the webpages at www.luton.gov.uk and example advertise a different on the LBC twitter feed. circular route on a seasonal basis. Travel Luton, promotes events and volunteering opportunities on web site, Facebook and Twitter.

2.7 Provide all residents in new Luton Local Transport Plan 2011-2026 includes improving connectivity to planned housing developments with a developments to include information packs and a specific policy and rights of way welcome pack including rights of management and development. way map, information on the green infrastructure and activities Investigation into the development of Travel Luton Welcome packs, proved to be

/ events in their local area. unfeasible. Developers now have responsibility to produce welcome back for their own developments.

Theme 3 Health & wellbeing 3.1 Encourage established walking Community/faith groups promote events/walks (Parks). groups such as the Hindu Mandir to use rights of way and open In 2014 a public health funded post ran a 10 week programme to encourage local spaces near where communities people to participate in a range of health and fitness sessions in parks. These live. included walking and Nordic Walking in Parks and events targeted at BEM groups.

3.2 Explore working with Sustrans to Cycling and walking meetings held with Sustrans Area Manager twice a year encourage access to rights of way (Highways and Travel Luton). and open spaces for local communities and individuals.

3.3 Work with Parks service and In May 2013 a 10 week MIND project was running in Wardown Park/ Riverside Luton PCT and Luton MIND to Park and Peoples Park (Parks). train park rangers to undertake guided walks, and to promote the health benefits of different routes.

Theme 4 Improve safety and security 4.1 Ensure a code of conduct is A ‘code for cyclists’ has been developed and used on the Luton cycle map with publicised and displayed clearly other information for cyclists. This leaflet also includes a section on cycling and the on multi-user paths in appropriate law. locations (this may not be appropriate in areas of County Wildlife Sites or Heritage Parks).

4.2 Where practicable and Stoneygate Road to Challney Girls School- surfacing and lighting public footpath appropriate improve the standard (Highways). of lighting on identified rights of way, highway footpaths and paths Improved, bat friendly’ lighting on NCN6 (Butely Road to Toddington Road) through parks and public open (Highways). spaces to reduce personal security risks and make the route more attractive.

4.3 Encourage work with schools to Icknield High School pupils have designed artwork for the bridge parapets on the provide safe activities for children Limbury stretch of the River Lea Linear Park (Parks). on rights of ways and in public open spaces.

4.4 Ensure that encroaching The RoWs are checked annually as part of the area maintenance plans. vegetation is trimmed on a regular Maintenance is carried out in response to reported problems (Highway basis, particularly on routes to Maintenance). schools, parks and public open spaces.

4.5 Ensure the appropriate Bradgers Hill Road. Clearing of vegetation to improve access to the cycle route management of hedges and (Highways). vegetation, identified in the condition survey are included in Parks staff has been trained in hedge laying techniques and hedges at Stockwood Park and Wildlife Site Park laid during 2012 (Parks). Management Plans and Stewardship Agreements. Five Green Corridors, hedge laying (Natural Environment).

4.6 Encourage group activities by Parkrun at Wardown Park was officially launched on the 18th April 2015. This run, clubs and organisations to the first in Luton and only the second in Bedfordshire (the other been Bedford Park, promote regular use of rights of Bedford) joins 340 (+) Parkruns nationally and across 11 other countries. way, highway footpaths, paths Parkrun has rapidly become the world’s largest running community with runs every through parks, public open space Saturday morning at 9am across the world. These timed 5km runs are free to enter

and County Wildlife Sites to and welcome walkers and runners of all abilities. improve security. Since its launch Wardown Park has hosted 8 runs with an average of 159 runners per week (Accurate as of 20th June 2015.

4.7 Encourage children to travel to Whitehorse Vale, pedestrian refuges to support Walking Bus (Highways). school using Walking bus and similar initiatives. Safer Routes to School Challenge to encourage the schools to bid for funding to for school travel initiatives (Highways).

4.8 Provide information to enable There are several key pages on the Luton Borough Council Website, which provide users to report antisocial confidence to residence and visitors, on reporting Anti Social Behaviour. behaviour to the Council’s Community Safety team, or other http://www.luton.gov.uk/Community_and_living/crime-and-community- local warden schemes to monitor safety/Anti_social_behaviour/Pages/default.aspx routes where this is a problem. https://www.luton.gov.uk/Community_and_living/crime-and-community- safety/Anti_social_behaviour/Pages/Reporting-crime-or-anti-social-behaviour.aspx

In addition Hotlines for ‘Noise Disturbance’ and ‘Graffiti’ have also been established.

Theme 5 Enhanced management of green space and rights of way, together with an updated Definitive Map 5.1 Update Luton’s rights of way Most of Luton is an Excluded Area. Initial review done, but at this stage hasn’t Definitive Map. progressed to assessment of any Orders required.

Little progress has been achieved - to be addressed in the next plan.

5.2 Use the updated Definitive Map along with the layout of Little progress has been achieved - to be addressed in the next plan. designated highway footpaths and other paths through parks and public open space to identify

and prioritise the development of missing links in the network needed to ensure provision of continuous routes (particularly bridleways).

5.3 Monitor the effectiveness of the Three council led applications for starter homes on green land. Private applications planning process to prevent for development on green land were refused (Forward Planning). developments from encroaching on the green infrastructure of Luton and ensure that rights of way are incorporated into development proposals as part of the Green Infrastructure Plan.

5.4 Continue to seek funding from New play facilities funded from external funders at external sources and planning Limbury Riverside Parks (Westmorland Avenue) , Chaul End Park and Runfold agreements to make Avenue (Parks). improvements to ensure that parks provide facilities which Round Green, private unused allotments changed to local open space (Parks, make them attractive destinations Forward Planning). with connections to the rights of way network thereby encouraging Improvements at Dallow Downs – Runley Road to provide improved connectivity use. and a safer green lane from Runley Road to Dallow Road.

Interpretation and signage introduced at Great Bramingham Park and enhancing the gateway to the wider countryside to the North of Luton and the route to Warden and Galley Hill.

Implemented new natural path in Leagrave park through the wet woodland area as identified in the Heritage Lottery Funded Conservation and Management plan for the park.

Designated 6 sites as Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields, a high level planning

designation that gives protection to greenspace for recreation. The designation is favoured by a number of funders who prioritise applications from QEII sites.

LBC approved funding for restoration of the Wardown Park suspension bridge – a key feature of the walking route around Wardown Park, which is a strategic greenspace within the network.

5.5 Use planning agreements from Joint working on growth area terminated. Given most of surrounding area is in development in the Growth Area Central Beds, LBC needs to raise these issues when consulted by CBC on around Luton as opportunities to planning applications (Planning). provide new, attractive paths shielded from road traffic to link LBC continue to play an active role in steering planning issues going to the Joint with the existing network and to Local Access Forum and the Bedfordshire Local Nature Partnership (LNP) develop circular routes

5.6 Investigate developing the Theed Theed Way has trail markers installed as part of the five green corridor network. Way as a circular route connecting with other marked There is an interpretation panel at junction of Theed Way and Icknield Way path, routes such as the John Bunyan describing the historical context of these routes. Trail, the Icknield Way Path and Chiltern Way. This would need to be accommodated within the north Luton expansion proposals

5.7 Working in partnership with Upper Lea Valley Greenway, Luton to Harpenden (Sustrans with LBC, CBC and neighbouring authorities, check Herts CC). continuity of rights of way crossing the Borough boundary, Luton to Harpenden Greenway signs, artwork, leaflet and launch (Sustrans). to ensure that permitted users on either sides are the same (e.g. so that a bridleway does not turn into a footpath).

5.8 Increase the number of multi-user Stockwood Park, Manor Road Park, Leagrave Park, Green Space west of Newbold paths, where appropriate through Road. parks to improve continuity of routes for cyclists, whilst Riddy Lane/Birdsfoot Lane shared use cycle path (Highways). addressing the safety of walkers. Riverside Walk works on upgrading the Riverside Walk section of the Upper Lea Valley (Swan) Walk from segregated use to shared use. This included widening of the footpath in some sections (Highways). The upgrading of bridges with new parapets to a style more in keeping with the natural environment (Highways/Parks/Regeneration).

A6 to Cardinal Newman School. Improved facilities to encourage cycling (Highways).

Proposal for shared use path through Stopsley Common District Park to the Inspire Leisure Centre (Highways and Parks).

Riverside Walk. Continuing works on improving the Riverside Walk section of the Upper Lea Valley (Swan) Walk to shared use walking and cycling (Highways).

5.9 Examine opportunities for The enhancement of the National Cycle network Route 6, from Harpenden, though upgrading some rights of ways Luton and into Dunstable, has received many improvements to create a high quality from footpaths to bridleways and route. highway footpaths to shared walking and cycling use to Improvement have been delivered on the path from Selsey Road, increase provision of circular routes for cyclists and horse riders.

5.10 The condition of rights of way will The RoWs are checked annually as part of the area maintenance plans. be monitored annually, using the Local Transport Plan as a Hard surfaced paths in parks are checked annually and any significant trip hazards mechanism to inform future repaired. reviews of the Rights of Way

Improvement Plan.

5.11 Prioritise actions identified as Requirement for LAA performance targets discontinued by Government. contributing to achieving LAA Reward targets related to green Alternative performance data has been explored, to evaluate the performance of space and the environment and sustainable travel and wider Local Transport Plan outcomes, this data is been where these are related to paths evaluated, before inclusion in this report. and walking routes. The process of submitting for Green flag Accreditation is highly robust, annual re- accreditation is required to maintain status. – LBC has a number of green flag parks.

On-going issues and Challenges

Definitive Map Review and the resolution of the Urban excluded area. Recognised as an issue within the 2008 Rights of Way Improvement Plan and frequently highlighted by the Joint Local Access Forum, the resolution of this issue should be given the highest priority within the refreshed Plan.

The potential impact of the Proposed Urban Extensions around the Luton Urban Boundary, pose substantial risks to the continuity of access corridors from Luton out and into the surrounding countryside. Critically this is generally recognized as been of significant quality and falls within the area defined as the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Green Corridors within Luton uses the surrounding landscape as its life blood, allowing people, wildlife (and their habitats) and water to flow through Luton. The effect of these proposed urban extensions should be mitigated and the flow of the existing corridors enhanced to increase quality and connectivity with the wider landscape surrounding the town.

In considering the review and updating of a new Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Luton, it is important how the plan and related action plan should monitor its performance / delivery. This is an important element that would enable the Authority and the Joint Local Access Forum, to engage with the plan. WCL would recommend integration with the existing LTP reporting and revision schedule.

Public Health now forms part of Luton Borough Council; there is also significant progress being made in evidencing the relationship between physical activity and access to greenspace and the public health priorities of living non-sedentary / active life styles and improved mental wellbeing.

The Guided Busway and its adjacent Cycle Track are proving to be highly effective, but more work can be done to connect this transport corridor with the surrounding Chilterns and key Tourist Attractions, such as Dunstable Downs, Whipsnade Zoo and the Ashridge Estate. WCL would strongly recommend that opportunities should be explored with neighboring authorities to achieve this.

There are currently three areas of Open Access land in Luton; The Moor, Peoples Park and Bells Close that are all located just north of the town centre. However, significant areas within the Luton Boundary, that were missed in the original Open Access Land mapping, both ‘down land’ and ‘common land’, meet the criteria and the Council believes that these sites should be put forward when the next review occurs (possibly 2017, to be confirmed).

Building on the successful of the ‘Safer routes to Schools’ initiative – consideration should be given to the development of a ‘Safer routes to Parks’ Project.

WCL also feel it is critical that along with the connectivity through the urban extension that the Theed Way and Icknield Way are considered when responding to the Growth Area Proposals and needs to be incorporated into comments on the growth area to CBC Planning.

Recommendations

WCL feel the Key considerations for the creation of Luton’s second Rights of Way Improvement Plan should be:

 The structure of the original 2008 plan is well structured and is concise and accessible, it is recommended to build on this format and its structure into the second generation.

 As the original user and non-user data was robustly investigated to develop this plan, it is proposed not to refresh, but to review this alongside wider

national trend data.

 As public health is now based within the Authority it is recommended that this is given more focus with the refresh.

 The plan delivery be monitored, recorded and reported regularly.

A draft of this document was presented by WCL to the Central Bedfordshire and Luton Joint Local Access Forum on the 24th June 2015 - Content, on-going challenges and recommendations were endorsed.