Note of North Staffordshire Sustrans Ranger Meeting Autumn 2015

Note of North Staffordshire Sustrans ranger meeting – Autumn 2015 6 pm 8 October 2015 at the White Star in Stoke Present: Mike Barr, Helen Bowes, John Kay, Pam Lovatt Apologies: Mike Durkin, Lisa Hartley, Alison Thomas Others not present: Michael Gibbs, Clare Holford, David Hopwood, Dorian Richardson

Activities in 2015 Potential activities for 2016 NCN maintenance litter pick All to check their NCN route sections Route 5 at Burslem by Prince’s Trust (before Chistmas) for potential Prince’s students (Feb, Oct) Trust workdays vegetation cutback Route 5 Burslem (June) MB to request Stoke CC to cutback Route 555 Harecastle (June) route 555 at Harecastle next summer requests for action Route 5 at Stoke - CRT asked to cut back PL to check action is carried out (Dec vegetation (Sept) 2015) Route 5 at Trentham – CRT again asked to deal with tree routes (Oct) MB to check CRT takes action (Mar 2016) Signing - refresh/ improve Route 550 Caldon canal Routes 5, 550, 555 “China cycle trail route” Etruria to Stockton Brook – MB to (May) arrange ranger ride to check signs Route 55 – “Biddulph Valley Way” (Aug) needed and to order signs for subsequent ranger signing ride. Stockton Brook to Cheddleton to Manifold Trail - MB to check if Staffs CC will sign route and report back if ranger signing needed Route 559 Leek branch of Caldon canal Hazlehurst to Leek and the Roches - MB to check if Staffs CC will sign route and report back if we need to sign. 551 Stoke to Newcastle to Cheshire border MB to get OK from Ed Healey/Staffs CC and arrange ranger ride to check signs needed etc. Sustrans/NCN promotion Leisurely rides April, May, June (2), July, Aug, Sept MB to do draft 2016 programme for rangers’ comment and suggestions. Route leaflets MB + South Cheshire rangers – to draft “China cycle trail” leaflet (5,000) produced leaflet (and try to find funding) for by Sustrans (Aug) to celebrate NCN20. route 55 “Biddulph Valley Way Have been distributed to “China MB + North Staffs rangers - to draft attractions”, bike shops etc and will go to leaflets (and try to find funding) for some schools route 5 (Stone to Stoke/Kidsgrove) Sustrans Stalls Stone (June) HB to arrange stall at Stone Festival. All rangers to investigate other potential locations for a stall Social media training by John and Charlie (Feb) All rangers to suggest updates/ improvements to our website and to post on and get likes for our facebook Cycle map/Sustrans publicity distribution MB to obtain Stoke and Newcastle cycle maps and investigate suitable NCN leaflets with a view to distribution by rangers on their patches NCN/cycle route Issues NCN routes MB – to contact Stoke CC/Staffs CC about Route 55 poor access at Bull Lane poor surface from Brindley Ford to Brown Lees Route 550 poor access at Birches Head Road 551 Future shared footway on Shelton Old Road Other greenways Berryhill greenway Poor surface near Lawnfarm crescent) Lyme Valley greenway Future extension to Hanford Apedale greenway Future crossing over Milehouse lane Long term cycle route network (10 - 20 MB – to arrange ranger meeting to year plan) discuss and map long term future cycle route network for North Staffordshire Other rides school cycle champions (March) primary to secondary school transition rides CRT “drop the pace” MB to check if CRT will provide bells for event at Etruria (Sept) a future ranger bell fitting event on towpath. Spring ranger meeting to be joint with South Cheshire rangers and to be in White Star in Stoke on Wednesday 9 March 2016.