Countryside access for Upper Rissington

Summary and Recommendation It is recommended that a footpath is opened up along the eastern perimeter of the Little Rissington Air Field. This will connect walkers from Upper Rissington to four tracks, bridleways and footpaths and will also form new connections between tracks that have been truncated since the construction of the air field in the 1930s. In order to mitigate any risk of intrusion upon the active air field a perimeter fence may need to be constructed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) inside leaving a 3 to 4 m wide strip between farmland and the air field for the footpath. The first 500 m section could be constructed as a cycle track to connect with the byeway leading to Westcote Hill. This would enable leisure and commuting cyclists to connect to the minor road network leading to Kingham Station and the Evenlode valley without having to ride along the dangerous A424 which carries a lot of fast car and lorry traffic.

Background The construction of Little Rissington Air Field in the heart of the Cotswolds by the Ministry of Defence in the 1930s resulted in the truncation of a number of footpaths, bridleways and minor roads. These were previously through routes between surrounding communities as shown on the 1900 OS map below. Now four separate tracks and footpaths terminate on the eastern edge of the airfield. The closure of the main base in the 1990s, the selling off of the existing housing and the construction of new housing has resulted in a large number of civilians living in an area that was developed as a secure military camp. The total housing stock of Upper Rissington will be over 750 by the end of 2016 with an estimated population of in excess of 3,000 people. Despite its situation in the heart of the Cotswolds, the new village has very poor access to the extensive footpath networks because of the military origins of the site. Because the base was designed to have a secure perimeter, the existing footpaths and tracks were simply terminated with no effort made to divert the access along the perimeter. As there was no historic village on the site there are also no traditional rights of way leading from the residential areas to nearby villages. All this results in: 1. Large numbers of vehicle movements as residents drive to nearby footpaths. 2. Residents walking and running along unsafe, narrow, unlit country lanes with no footpaths. 3. Other residents being discouraged from taking up a more active lifestyle due to the need to drive to access the countryside. 4. A lower quality of life for the residents of Upper Rissington compared to the surrounding villages. 5. Many cyclists who like to climb the highest hill in the area having to cycle along the dangerous A424. The Ministry of Defence has retained the Little Rissington Air Field and has no plans for closure. Current usage largely consists of flying powered gliders by cadets, a drop zone for parachutist training together with a civilian go-cart track that is used for monthly races. Whilst the air field remains an active site it is assumed that it is important for the MoD to retain the security of the air field and prevent civilian intrusion on the runway areas. However this proposal would have a negligible effect on the airfield as it only requires a 3 to 4 m strip of unused land along a remote edge to be fenced off.

Proposed new footpath It is proposed that a new footpath is created along the eastern boundary of the Air Field in a 3 to 4 m strip just inside the existing boundary. This will enable the residents of Upper Rissington to access up to 4 truncated footpaths and tracks and link them to the footpath network. This side of the air field already has a civilian go-cart track in operation and also has extensive areas of unused grassland and brambles. Although the current boundary has only insecure field fencing (which is missing in places) the MoD may wish to install more secure perimeter fencing inside the footpath to separate it from the air field due to anticipated use of the footpath. No fencing is needed on the outside as there is existing hedging or simple wire fencing already in place. Two options are presented below:

Option 1 Footpath to the Merrymouth Inn and Tangley Hall This option would have four sections (see map)

Section 1: A to C (Approx 600 m) The path would start next to the gate of the Upper Rissington Sewage Treatment works (point A) and run parallel to the sewage treatment works fence to point B. From this point the path would turn and run along the perimeter to point C where there is a route with public access that comes right up to the boundary. Building this path would give Upper Rissington residents access to Church and Nether Westcote without having to walk along major roads. These villages are in turn connected to an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways in the Edenlode valley.

Section 2: C to D (500 m plus) The path would continue along the boundary from point C but soon would reach an area where the perimeter is complicated. Following the perimeter line would increase the length of this section from a straight line 500 m to 800 m but as the area is the former site of demolished buildings and is covered in brambles it may be possible to shorten the distance by cutting off some sections if these are no longer required by the MoD. At point D the path would connect with a bridleway that is presently little used as there has been no through route since the 1930s. Before the air field was constructed this bridleway was a minor road that connected Idbury to Great Rissington as can be seen on the 1900 OS map. The bridleway gives access to the minor road to Idbury which would enable walkers to access a network of footpaths leading to the Evenlode valley and the Foxholes nature reserve. This does require some on road walking on a road that can be busy particularly at commuting times. The path to here (point A to point D) the path runs within Gloucestershire.

Section 3: D to E (500 m) From the end of the bridleway at point D the path would run along the top of a steep bank to point E. Before the air field was constructed a minor road ran along this route. At point E there is gate at the end of a small metalled road. This road is at present used for access to fields and to the air field for grass cutting and similar activities. The status of the first section of the road nearest the air field is unclear but after about 350 m it is marked as a route with public access. On the historic maps this road ran from the Merrymouth inn to the end of Sandy Lane (and down to Little Rissington) running right across the existing site of Upper Rissington. It can therefore be assumed that the right of way extends to the boundary of the air base. This section of the route (point D to point E) follows the county boundary between Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Connecting Upper Rissington to this track would give walkers access to Fifield (via a minor and quiet road) and to the network of footpaths beyond. Connecting to this track would also give Upper Rissington residents a two mile (3 km) walk across the countryside to the Merrymouth inn which could be very popular on a summer's evening.

Section 4: E to F (1000 m) The final proposed section is to continue the path beyond point E along the perimeter to point F where another track (and bridleway) from the Merrimouth reaches the airfield. This track originally joined up with the Great Rissington to Idbury road. This section would pass the area developed as a go cart track where there is only approximately 15 m between the track and the boundary. However this should be sufficient to route the footpath. This section of the route (from point E to point F) it is within Oxfordshire. Connecting Upper Rissington to point F would enable access to an extensive network of footpaths leading to Tangley Hall, the D'Arcy Dalton way and through Taynton to the Windrush valley. This footpath would also enable walkers from the Merrymouth to enjoy a beautiful circular walk on good tracks.

Option 2 Cycle Track to Westcote Hill and footpath to Tangley Hall The second option is to construct the first 500 m section from point A to point C as a cycle track. This would enable cyclists to reach Kingham station and the Evenlode valley without having to cycle along the very busy and dangerous A424. This would give a quiet route from Upper Rissington to Westcote, Fifield, Milton under Wychwood and onwards to Swinbrook and the national cycle route 57. Wyck hill is very popular with cyclists, especially at weekends as it is the highest hill in the area and offers some challenging hill climbs. However although there are numerous routes on the Western side cyclists are forced to cycle along the dangerous A424 in order to access the quieter roads on the Eastern side. This cycle track has the potential to offer a safe and quiet route through the village to a cross roads where the A424 can be crossed directly on to quiet country lanes. Benefits Benefits from making this footpath would include: 1. Opening up countryside access for the population of Upper Rissington and thereby promoting walking amongst a relatively young population. This has many proven health benefits along with enhancing the quality of life for families relocating to the new housing estate. 2. Reducing vehicle movements by connecting Upper Rissington residents to a more extensive network of footpaths from their homes. This is because many residents in Upper Rissington currently drive to nearby locations where they can get onto a footpath. 3. This area is at the heart of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty and restoring lost tracks would be very beneficial for tourism and attractive to the numerous walkers who come to the area. By re-opening long closed through routes such as Fifield to Little Rissington more walkers would pass the Merrymouth inn and the new Upper Rissington shops thus increasing the passing trade of these businesses. 4. By constructing the first 500 m as a cycle track a new cycleway would be opened up avoiding cycling along the dangerous A424. This will promote cycling and potentially reduce accidents. This would also create a safer cycling route to Kingham station thus promoting low carbon transport.

Risks and Mitigation Strategy Some of the major risks and mitigation strategies are set out below: Risk Level Mitigation Strategy Increased intrusion onto an Medium Constructing a secure fence along the inside of the active MoD air field. footpath. Damage to farmland alongside Low No mitigation strategy necessary. Other farms the air field alongside nearby villages are crossed by many more footpaths. Increased numbers of High The A424 is a very fast and potentially dangerous pedestrians crossing the A424. road. Improved signage at the existing crossing points may be warranted. Increased levels of burglary and Low Upper Rissington has very low crime rates at present crime in Upper Rissington by and this footpath would be an unlikely route for any increasing access to the village. criminals to enter the village as it would be a long distance to the nearest road.

Costs and Funding Under Option 1 the whole length is a rural footpath and there would not need to be any construction work for the surface. The only cost is any fencing that the MoD would like to place on the air field side of the path. The cost of this is unknown as their requirements are also unknown. The existing boundary is very insecure but the MoD are likely to desire to upgrade this given the anticipated growth of pedestrians enjoying the new path. Under Option 2 the first 500 m section would need to be built for mixed pedestrian and cycle use. This is proposed to be a 2 m wide bitumen surface in line with recommendations for rural areas1. Cost for this section of the path is estimated to be around £25,000. Funding is sought for the construction of this path as the costs exceed any resources available locally.

Consultation Record

1 http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/files/migrated-pdfs/guidelines%207.pdf