Council Public Rights of Way Forum

DONCASTER PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY FORUM

DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2018

PRESENT John Harker Peak and Northern Footpaths Society, Chair Cllr Bill Mordue Bentley Ward Council Cllr Frank Tyas Ward Councillor D Robinson Network Rail Val Moate Hatfield Parish Council Peter Farrell Armthorpe Improvement Group John Armstrong Armthorpe Improvement Group Martin Wyman Ramblers Phil Midgley Bessacarr and Cantley Forum Douglas Grundy Bessacarr and Cantley Forum Ray Fretwell Armthorpe Parish Council Elaine Walstow Armthrope Parish Council Terry Chandler Environmental Association Gary Warrender Auckley Parish Council John Hoare Town Council Margaret Marrison Tickhill and District Footpaths Group Will Bedford Parish Council John Waite Fishlake Parish Council Stuart Horrocks Public Rights of Way Officer Doncaster Council (SH) Julie Guest Senior Public Rights of Way Officer Doncaster Council (JG)

1 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS

J Harker kindly agreed to chair the meeting and welcomed all those present.

2 APOLOGIES

M Green Network Rail Peter Haines Chair Francis Jackson Town Council Liz Reeve Don Gorge Community Group Martyn Leaney Parish Council Brenda Grimes Burghwallis Parish Council Jennifer Worthington Cantley with Branton Parish Council Lisa Godley Public Rights of Way Officer (LG)

3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

3.1 10.7 Delete minute and replace with:

Doncaster Council Public Rights of Way Forum

Manor Farm Development - Concern was expressed that a planning application has been made to change an agreement over the number of houses that may be occupied prior to the railway crossing improvement scheme being implemented. Public Rights of Way have raised no objections to the application

3.2 Otherwise agreed as a true record.

4 MATTERS ARISING

4.1 4.10.1 The resurfacing work to footpath 1 in Wadworth Wood has been completed

5.4 The fence that was obstructing Auckley footpath number 7 has been removed and the path cut, however concerns were raised about other obstructions on the footpath. It was agreed that S Horrocks will meet with G Warrender on site and provide update to next meeting. SH

10.7 P Midgely informed the Forum that he had met with senior officers from Network Rail at their offices in to discuss the application to vary the Section 106 Agreement. He felt his concerns over the safety implications had not been addressed. D Robinson confirmed that the proposed underpass at Manor Farm was a dedicated project and agreed to discuss the matter with P Midgely further at the end of the meeting.

5 AGREEMENT ON ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Rossington Bridleway Number 14 Disability Access Armthorpe Footpath Number 1

6 DEFINITIVE MAP UDATES

The update was presented at the Forum and concern was expressed that the Definitive Map Modification Order for Seven Yards Road had not been forwarded to the Planning Inspectorate for determination. The Forum requested that this be treated as a priority and an update LG presented to the next meeting

7 MAINTENANCE

7.1 The Forum was informed that the funding secured for a replacement bridge at Newton Ings was insufficient to enable the work to be carried out because only 2 tenders were returned and these were far in excess of the estimated costs. The condition of the existing bridge has

Doncaster Council Public Rights of Way Forum

now deteriorated to a dangerous level; therefore tenders have been issued for the bridges removal. At the present time there are no funds identified for the bridge to be replaced Cllr Mordue advised the Forum that elected members are not happy with this situation are taking the matter further.

7.2 The forum was advised that volunteers from the Ramblers have carried out maintenance work on several rights of way, including works to repair/improve steps and a bridge, and erecting way mark posts.

7.3 Northern Power Grid has kindly donated wood they no longer need to Doncaster Council. This will be used for maintenance work.

9 MAJOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS

9.1 HS2 - A plan showing how the route of the proposed railway through Doncaster will impact on the rights of way network was displayed at the meeting. A response to the Draft Environmental Impact Assessment is currently being worked on by Doncaster Council Officers.

10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1 Rossington 14 – The period for the temporary diversion of the bridleway under provisions contained in the Town and Country JG Planning Act has expired, and the path has not been reinstated. JG to provide update at next meeting.

10.2 Disability Access – some public rights of way are legally recorded with limitations, for example a stile. Doncaster Council has no power to insist a land owner remove a legally recorded limitation, however any new paths should be Equality Act compliant. The Council has an adopted structures policy and embraces the principle of least restrictive access, gap, gate, stile. All structures should comply with the latest British Standard.

The Forum was advised that some Councils provide information of paths that are suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility, for example miles without stiles.

10.3 Armthorpe Footpath Number 1 – Concern was expressed that sections of the path had become obstructed by overhanging vegetation; however, forum was informed that this has recently been cut back.

10.4 A request was made that information about the definitive map modification order applications made by the British Horse Society be sent to Hatfield Town Council.

Doncaster Council Public Rights of Way Forum

11 FUTURE MEETING DATES – (please note change of date for next meeting)

10:30 am Thursday 11 April at Civic Office 10:30 am Thursday 1 August at Civic Office 10:30 am Thursday 5 December at Civic Office