COMMON AUDIT OF ENTRANCES AND RIDES

by Michael Bower and James Irvine December 2012

Contents Executive Summary 1 1. Objective 2 2. Background 2 3. General Recommendations 2 3.1 Entrances 3 3.2 Designated Rides and Welcome Notices 3 3.3 Maps 3 3.4 Existing Notice Boards and Notices 4 3.5 Recommended Notice Boards and Notices 5 3.6 Barways 5 3.7 Dead Hedges 6 3.8 Stand alone “No Entry” posts 6 3.9 Other Furniture 7 4. Discussion of main Audit findings and additional Recommendations – Entrances 7 5. Discussion of main Audit findings and additional Recommendations – Designated Rides 10 6. Conclusion 12 Appendices A. Prototype combined Map/Welcome Notice for Ride Entrances 13 B. Prototype combined Map/Welcome Notice for Footpath Entrances 14 C. Present Notice Boards and Proposed “No Entry” roundels 15 Annexes (bound separately from main report) 16-51 D. Individual Entrances audit sheets E. Individual Designated Rides audit sheets F. Errors on existing maps G. Summary of Recommendations for Individual Entrances and Rides

Executive Summary The City Commons Superintendent asked two Volunteers to audit the Entrances and Rides of Ashtead Common. They found the physical condition and aesthetics of the 20 Entrances to be generally satisfactory. However it is evident that many cyclists are blatantly disregarding where they are permitted to ride on the Common, causing damage and disturbing wild life and other users. Considerable improvements in signage and maps are urgently needed to clarify what constitutes responsible cycling. Further recommendations for improving Notice Boards, barways and dead hedges are made after careful consideration of the various aesthetic, financial and lead-time implications. 1 1. Objective To audit the Entrances and Rides of Ashtead Common and recommend improvements to: (1) the City’s welcome to all responsible users; (2) the information provided; and (3) instructions to dog walkers, cyclists and horse riders bearing in mind the needs to minimise: (4) visual “clutter”; and (5) workload and financial cost.

2. Background Over the years the signage, barways and dead hedges on Ashtead Common have evolved, sometimes on an ad hoc basis, in response to a variety of needs: to advertise the City’s presence, to display the Byelaws, to inform and educate users, and to control dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. The investment to date is now largely effective in controlling horse riders, but is failing to control cyclists: commuters, family weekend groups and Mountain bikers are making increasing use of footpaths and even grassland, damaging the ground, disturbing wild life, and upsetting other users:

FP 34 (dry) FP 25 Trevona Entrance This increased presence of cyclists has been accentuated by the clearance of bracken, the creation of cattle field fence lines, the opening of CR5, the surfacing behind Broadhurst, and the Olympics, and has been aggravated by less visible enforcement at weekends. Another underlying contributory factor is the lack of unambiguous, clear and concise maps, associated wording, and signage to show exactly where on the Common cyclists are and are not welcome. This deficiency in turn denies child cyclists, walkers and Rangers a clear message to help promote responsible cycling.

3. General Recommendations Broadly speaking the audit found most of the existing furniture, though ageing, to be in fair condition. While it is desirable to standardise the design of the various notice boards, the auditors see this as a longer term goal, and believe the priority for immediate effort and expenditure should be on features that will help to reduce the impact of off-Ride cyclists on the Common. Getting our various messages across to visitors is surely more important than uniformity in the physical furniture.

2 3.1 Entrances The number and identity of the “Entrances” to Ashtead Common was not clear to the auditors. The audit identified 20 entrances being regularly used by visitors. Some of these Entrances have two access points; 14 are not named on site; 13 are not named on the present maps. The “official” names of some entrances are unclear. Those adopted for this Report include “Two Bridges”, “ Common Entrance”, “Ashtead Common Pond”, “Trevona”, “Green Gates”, “The Common (Bridge)”, “The Common (Links Road)” and “Estate Office”. It is recommended that all 20 Entrances are named on a new map and on-site on a Notice Board.

3.2 Designated Rides and Welcome Notices The auditors’ principle finding is that currently there is no consistent, clear and unambiguous message at every entrance to the Common proclaiming the City’s welcome to all responsible users but also making clear constraints on dogs, cyclists and horse riders. Regardless of which Entrance they use, cyclists can and often do claim ignorance of being limited to bridleways and Concessionary Rides. Indeed the terms “Bridleway”, “Concessionary Ride”, “Permissive Ride” and “Right of way” confuse most users of the Common; they would also be cumbersome on Welcome Notices. It is recommended that the term “Designated Ride”, or simply “Ride”, is used on all Welcome Notices and maps to describe all Bridleways and Concessionary/Permissive Rides. Any legal requirement to identify Bridleways, Rights of Way, Concessionary Rides and waymarkers should be met in the keys to maps, rather than the maps themselves. It is recommended Designated Ride 4 is “extended” to include the surfaced sections of Footpaths 35 and 37. 8 Rides are addressed: Ride From To Seasonal? Surfaced? Presently known as 1 Two Bridges Epsom Gap all year partly CR1. 2 Overdale Rushett’s View seasonal mostly part of CR2. 3 Lady Howards Crossing Woodlands Road all year throughout CR3. 4 Two Bridges Epsom Common Entrance all year throughout FP35, CR4, FP37. 5 Two Bridges The Common seasonal no CR5. 29 Woodcock Corner Epsom Gap all year throughout Bridleway 29. 33 Woodfield Chessington View all year no Bridleway 33. 38 Craddocks Avenue Woodcock Corner all year mostly Bridleway 38 & 147. The auditors have identified a need for two types of “Welcome Notice”. Both should incorporate a new map and a welcoming tone with identical wording, except for a message that can be easily read without cyclists having to dismount which makes clear that: Type “R”: at Entrances serving Designated Rides: cyclists and horse riders are welcome provided they keep to the Designated Rides, and Type “F”: at Entrances only serving Footpaths: cyclists and horse riders should not enter here. It is strongly recommended that one of the two new Welcome Notices, similar to those shown in Appendices A and B, should be displayed at all 20 Entrances. The size of these notices and how they can be most aesthetically and economically mounted is closely related to mapping issues.

3.3 Maps The auditors found five maps in current use: 1. The “old” maps on the black Corporate Identity Boards. 2. The “recent” maps on the newer natural oak Notice Boards. 3. The “2009” map in the “Welcome to Epsom and Ashtead Commons” leaflet. 4. The “2011” map in the “Ashtead Common” leaflet. 5. The map(s) associated with the inventory of furniture on the Common.

3 The auditors’ comments on the Inventory Map are listed in Annex F. Differences between the other maps are understandable given the varying dates and objectives, but are nevertheless confusing to members of the public, and the auditors believe strongly none of the present maps, even with their associated keys and texts, get over a clear message about where on the Common cyclists and horse riders are and are not welcome. In particular there is confusion on the practical significance of the legal terms of Bridleway, Concessionary/Permissive Rides, Rights of Way, Public footpaths, numbered and unnumbered paths, firebreaks and wayleaves. It is also arguable that all the maps have significant failings in helping users to identify their location. To address these problems it is recommended that: 1. Two variants, “R” and “F”, of a single new combined map/Welcome Notice are prepared for use, at appropriate scales, at all Entrances, some other locations on the Common, on all Ashtead Common leaflets, and in electronic formats including the Common’s webpage and QR code. 2. All “Designated Rides” are shown in a bold contrasting colour, (dark brown seems appropriate), solid for all-year rides, dashed for seasonal rides. 3. All numbered footpaths, other well-established footpaths, and all firebreaks and wayleaves are shown by a thinner dashed line in a less prominent colour (green seems appropriate). 4. Identification for legal reasons of bridleways, rights of way and Concessionary Rides, and their associated waymarks, are addressed in the key to the new map. 5. The “Where am I?” function of the new map is helped by including tinting to show elevation, naming of all Entrances, and other features. “You are here” stickers would be a bonus. Examples of how a new map incorporating these principles can be combined with the two types of Welcome Message are shown in Appendices A and B. The size of these combined maps and notices will vary from A0 for the largest Notice Boards to A3 for the smallest, and for leaflets.

3.4 Existing Notice Boards and Notices At present the 20 Entrances have a wide variety of Notice Boards (see Appendix C): 6 of the Entrances have the black painted “D2” Corporate Identity Boards that carry a large embossed version of the City’s crest, an old map with an old “Welcome Notice”, and Bye-laws on the back. These Boards have a striking visual impact and, with two exceptions (Craddock’s Avenue and Epsom Gap), appear to be in good condition, but do not identify the individual Entrances, and their height makes them unsuitable to display detailed information. 9 have the newer natural Oak Boards, 3 in the larger size “O1” capable of carrying 4xA1 sized notices (2 front, 2 back, the latter sometimes behind perspex), 6 in the smaller size “O2”, with 2xA1 sized notices (1 front, 1 back). All name their Entrance, and all but one appear to be in good condition. Two new O1 Boards are ready for erection at the Craddocks Avenue and Epsom Gap Entrances. 7 have the cheaper natural pine “P3” Boards, capable of carrying 4xA4 notices (2 front, 2 back), to supplement the above. All appear to be in good condition. 4 Entrances (Two Bridges, The Greenway, Ashtead Common Pond and Trevona) have no Boards at all. In addition to the above there is a varnished “C3” 3xA1 Board at the Estate Office, and 3 plinth Boards at Craddocks Avenue, Epsom Gap and the Estate Office. The former two are rotting badly but the latter (like the similar Board at the River Restoration Scheme) is in good condition. Some wooden boards advise on access to and parking on “The Common”. These are in fair condition.

There is an even greater variety of Notices displayed from these Notice Boards. All the O1 and O2 Boards carry one of two editions of an A1 sized map on the front, and Bye-laws on the back. Some of the other O1 panels carry A1 posters on Veteran Trees which have educational value or, like some of the P3 Boards, a variety of A4 notices: 4 - one or more pages of the monthly newsletters; these are topical and informative; - “No Riding” notices displayed at the Links Road and the Estate Office Entrances, where they have helped to control “short cut” cycling across the southern corner of Woodfield; - a few “Green Flag Award” notices, now looking tired; - some new “Alphabet” notices which promote responsible dog control. The notices on the plinth boards explaining the Timber Carrier wheels outside the Estate Office and at the River Restoration Scheme are appropriate and in fair condition. The plastic notices on the plinth boards at Craddocks Avenue and Epsom Gap explaining pollarding are scratched and cracked, and can no longer be considered a positive asset. Leaflet maps are available 24x7 at the Estate Office. Criticism is often voiced about the lack of maps on the Common, for walkers and cyclists to plan their routes, and to help prevent walkers getting lost. However numerous map dispensers would be expensive and create litter. In addition to sighting the present Notice Boards and Notices, the auditors were advised of the present strategy of working towards establishing a hierarchy of three types of Notice Boards: - the existing black D2 Corporate Identity Boards, at six “high profile” Entrances; - oak O1 Notice Boards at all the main Entrances; - pine P3 Notice Boards at a few minor Entrances.

3.5 Recommended Notice Boards and Notices While the auditors were able to endorse the present Notice Board strategy as a long term goal they were also aware it would take some years to achieve. They felt strongly that the immediate priority ought to be addressing how the new combined map/Welcome Notices could be posted quickly at every Entrance to ensure that cyclists in particular could no longer have any excuse for misunderstanding where they were welcome to ride and where they were not. They felt this was an essential pre-requisite to any enforcement campaign, and that the standardisation of the Boards to carry these notices was both less important and less urgent. The auditors considered, and discussed with the Superintendent, a variety of formats combing the new map with the two types of Welcome Notices in various sizes and portrait/landscape orientations, taking into account the relative costs and lead times for new Notice Boards, and recognising some minor Entrances do not need to exhibit the Bye-laws, while others need more than one Board. It is recommended that: 1. In the long term: - The 6 black D2 Corporate Identity Boards at “High Profile” Entrances with Bye-laws are retained but their maps are removed; - 16 Entrances have natural oak O1 Notice Boards each with a A0 sized combined map/Welcome Notice, with Bye-laws on the back, and the Entrance name carved thereon; - 6 Entrances (Epsom Common Entrance and Trevona, and around Woodfield where aesthetics are an issue) have pine P3 Notice Boards each with a A3 sized combined map/Welcome Notice, and the names at Two Bridges, Epsom Common Entrance and Trevona carved thereon; - A redundant P3 Board is moved to show a map at Lady Howards Crossing. 2. As soon as practical: - 4 new pine P3 Boards are erected, and 2 existing P3 Boards are moved; - A professional carpenter inspects all D2 and O1 Boards for wet rot, and quotes for repairs; - 14 of the “Rides” and 9 of the “Footpath” new combined map/Welcome Notices are printed and posted in the appropriate Notice Boards; - The plinth notice boards at Craddock Avenue and Epsom Gap are removed.

5 3. The precise location and orientation of all new/moved Notice Boards are carefully assessed to optimise visibility from all relevant approaches and accessibility to front and back, and to respect aesthetic considerations. At the 6 Entrances with both D2 and O1 Boards care will be needed on their relative locations. 4. The spare space on Notice Boards should be used for newsletters and temporary campaigns such as Dog control. A single Green Flag notice should be placed in the C3 Board outside the Estate Office. 5. 24x7 leaflet dispensers should be trialled at, for example, Two Bridges and Epsom Gap.

3.6 Barways 18 wooden barways allow access by management/emergency vehicles but deter cyclists and horse riders. All are in good condition. Some of the accompanying dead hedges need routine attention, most have puddles at the pinch points, and none prevent access by determined cyclists. It is recommended that: - 6 new wooden barways are fitted along Rides 2 and 33, and at the Common (Bridge) Entrance; - all existing and new wooden barways are marked by small twin Highway Code style two inch diameter “No entry” roundel signs that clearly show cyclists and horse riders they should not pass (see Appendix C); - the “No Entry” roundels for the 6 existing and new barways at the Entrances to the Seasonal Rides 2 and 5 are mounted on removable or reversible wooden battens; - permission is sought from Natural England to improve surfacing at muddy pinch points.

3.7 Dead Hedges 20 dead hedges have played a large part in the successful “training” of horse riders to keep to Designated Rides, and become a feature of Ashtead Common, especially now hazel and chestnut uprights are used. They also provide a useful destination for silver birch cut from firebreaks. But all are “high maintenance”, many have bad puddling at their pinch points, and most importantly they all fail to deter cyclists: in particular FP25 is now a regular through-route, while FP34 and FP24 are also popular. It is recommended that: - the dead hedge where the old FP 35 west leaves Overdale Entrance “roundabout” is removed; - 3 new dead hedges are constructed: 2 where FP 25 leaves the Overdale Entrance “roundabout”, and a third on FP 25 at Merton Wood Entrance; - the dead hedge where FP24 leaves Designated Ride 1 is moved 10m south; - the dead hedge where FP34 leaves Designated Ride 2 is moved 20m south; - all existing and new dead hedges incorporate chestnut posts with “No Entry” roundels; - permission is sought from Natural England to improve surfacing at muddy pinch points.

3.8 Stand alone No Entry posts There are a large number of locations bordering the Designated Rides, such as frequently used footpaths (both numbered and unnumbered), firebreaks, cattle fields and mown bracken areas, where cyclists are now habitually riding or are tempted to ride, damaging the ground and disturbing wild life and other users. Cycle wheel ruts are clearly visible in mud and snow conditions, and cyclists claim these and the absence of signage as evidence to justify their legitimacy. “Stand-alone” chestnut posts with twin “No Entry” roundels will provide unambiguous guidance at low cost and with minimal aesthetic impact. They will also be flexible, enabling removal when compliance improves, or additions when new cycle usage is evident. 6 It is recommended that: - some 35 stand-alone chestnut posts with “No Entry” roundels are sited discreetly where FP 34 leaves Ride 4, where dead hedges are not visible from the Rides (e.g. top and bottom of FP 34), at path entrances off Designated Rides where there is evidence of cyclist usage, and where the new cattle fields and mown bracken areas first “invite” cycle usage; - where appropriate it may be preferable to place “No Entry” roundels on cattle field entrance styles, and to use chestnut posts in place of cattle field fence posts; - the effectiveness of these posts is reviewed periodically and posts are added/removed as required; - spare posts and “No Entry” roundels are ordered in case the initial batch prove insufficient.

3.9 Other furniture The auditors did not audit waymarkers, Finger Boards, benches, stub posts, bridges or culverts. Most appeared in good or fair condition, although the waymarkers associated with the recommended Ride 4 are outdated or missing.

4 Audit findings – Entrances Details of the audit findings and associated Recommendations additional to the above for each of the 20 individual Entrances to Ashtead Common are given in Annex D. The main findings and additional Recommendations therein are summarised below:

4.1 Woodfield This Entrance is simple, neat and functional, though the P3 Board and rusting dog bin are poorly sited. It is recommended that a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted in the existing oak O1 Notice Board, the present P3 Board is removed, and a new dog bin is located on the east side of the Entrance.

4.2 Two Bridges This complex but aesthetically-pleasing area qualifies as an Entrance because of the Broadhurst alleyway. It is presently free of “notice blight”, but it is unnamed, and a map would be useful. It is recommended that a pine P3 Notice Board is erected close to the willow trees directly opposite the Alleyway bridge, facing west so that it may be seen from the Entrance to Ride 5, to carry a type R map/Welcome Notice; and two redundant barway posts at the old entrance to FP 35 and at the wayleave entrance are removed.

4.3 Overdale This is the most complex Entrance, as it effectively accesses, in clockwise order, to the west, Ride 3 (presently still with the dead hedge that marked the old FP 35), the gas wayleave (barway), FP 25 (nothing) and Ride 2 (nothing), and to the east Ride 3 (nothing), FP25 (nothing) and FP35 (barway). These entrances effectively enclose a “roundabout” within which barriers and signage are unnecessary. On the other hand FP25 is popular with cyclists, so stand-alone “No Entry” posts with roundels are likely to be less effective than two new dead hedges incorporating “No Entry” posts, while the old FP 35 dead hedge adds to the confusion. It is recommended that a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted in the existing oak O1 Notice Board, the dead hedge that marked FP35 west is removed; two dead hedges with “No Entry” posts are erected for FP 25 east and west; a new barway with “No Entry” roundels is erected at the entrance to seasonal Ride 2; and “No Entry” roundels are mounted on the 2 existing barways and on Adams Bridge. 7 4.4 Newton Wood Road Crossing This simple Entrance has an oak O1 Notice Board with map and a Veteran Trees poster on the front and Veteran Trees and Green Flag notices on the back. It is recommended that a type F map/Welcome Notice is posted, and the Green Flag notice is removed.

4.5 Craddocks Avenue This simple Entrance is aesthetically marred by the plinth notice board. A new oak O1 Notice Board is ready to accompany the present black D2 Corporate Identity Board, which needs repair. It is recommended that a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted in the new Notice Board, and the plinth removed.

4.6 Woodlands Road This entrance is highly used and its existing furniture is in fair to good condition. The layout is straightforward, and presently aesthetically satisfactory. However the Entrance is unnamed, and unless the map on the byelaws board is studied very carefully there is no caution against the use of FP25 by cyclists, a significant factor contributing to this now popular practice. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted on the present P3 Notice Board, and a chestnut post with “No Entry” roundels is located about 20 metres down FP25.

4.7 The Greenway This is a double entrance from The Wells Estate, serviced by two concrete bridges. It is heavily used, even by cyclists, despite it having no connecting rights of way. The Dog bin is often overgrown and has been vandalised. It is recommended that opposite the north (downstream) bridge, between the riverside footpath and that accessing FP25 and Rides 3/38, pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a pine P3 Notice Board is erected and a type F map/Welcome Notice posted; and opposite the south (upstream) bridge a chestnut post with “No Entry” roundels is located next to a new dog bin.

4.8 Epsom Common Entrance (to call this simply “Epsom Common” on site would be confusing) This busy Entrance presently has a black D2 Corporate Identity Board whose map cannot be seen by users approaching from the north, south and west. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a pine P3 Notice Board is erected west of FP38, and a type R map/Welcome Notice posted.

4.9 Ashtead Common Pond This Entrance, presently unmarked, may be considered the access point for visitors from Epsom Common via 147 and 148. It is recommended that a pine P3 Notice Board is erected, and a type R map/Welcome Notice posted.

4.10 Woodcock Corner - This Entrance has two approaches, from Epsom Common to the east (29) and from the field to the north (38), but at present the Entrance is unnamed and the black D2 Corporate Identity Board only covers the eastern entrance. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board positioned on the west side of Ride 38 (i.e. backing on to Newton Wood), a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted on the present P3 Notice Board. 8 4.11 Chessington View The present signage is an oak O1 Notice Board with a map, Veteran Trees poster and Bye-laws. It is recommended that a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted.

4.12 Rushett Farm View The present signage is an oak O2 natural wood Bye-laws board is single panel It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted in the existing Board.

4.13 Epsom Gap This Entrance is unnamed, its black D2 Corporate Identity Board is rotting, as is the information plinth, and the latter’s veteran trees notice is cracked and scratched. It is recommended that the O1 Board already made is erected, a type R map/Welcome Notice posted, the D2 Board is repaired, and the plinth removed.

4.14 Ashtead Gap This Entrance is often muddy. The map on the oak O2 Board has recently been defaced by cigarette burns. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board in the fork between FP 25 and the path leading to the north to access the oil pipeline wayleave, a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted in the existing Board, and a chestnut “No Entry” post is positioned at the entrance to the wayleave leading south. Brush is needed east of the Barway. The surfacing needs attention.

4.15 Merton Wood The map in the oak O2 Notice board at this Entrance is failing to deter cyclists from Leatherhead using FP23, and a also smaller path closer to the Trevona field, and even the oil pipeline wayleave. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board standing between FP 23 and the wayleave, a stand alone ‘No Entry” post is positioned there, a type F map/Welcome Notice is posted on the existing O2 Board, a Dead Hedge is constructed about 5 metres further in along FP23; a chestnut “No Entry” post is placed to deter access to the path by the Trevona fence line, and brush is placed under the oak tree to prevent access from Merton Wood field to the Trevona field fence line.

4.16 Trevona This Entrance has recently started to be used by cyclists using Ashtead Woods Road by bicycle, but at present has no signage indicating ownership by the City and that cyclists are not welcome here. It is recommended that a pine P3 Notice Board is erected with a type F map/Welcome Notice.

4.17 Green Gates Even though “protected” by a new metal “kissing gate”, this entrance is increasingly used by cyclists riding from Ashtead Woods Road to The Star and by week-end family groups and gets muddy. It is recommended that pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a type F map/Welcome Notice is posted in the existing O2 Board, and the drainage/surfacing at the gate is improved.

4.18 The Common (Bridge) (alternatively The Common (North)) This is actually a double Entrance, with the main access across the bridge to Footpath 28 and seasonal Ride 5, and a small access east through the embankment to Woodfield, a pinch point that gets very 9 muddy. At present there is a P3 Notice Board at the east access to Woodfield, but no signage for the main access to greet visitors using the car park. It is recommended that at the east entrance a type F map/Welcome Notice posted and the drainage and surfacing is improved; and at the north entrance, between the car park and the bridge, pending the provision of an oak O1 Notice Board, a pine P3 Notice Board is erected and a type R map/Welcome Notice posted, and to deter cyclists and horse riders when Seasonal Ride 5 is closed a new barway with reversible/removable “No Entry” roundels is erected close north of the bridge.

4.19 The Common (Links Road) (alternatively The Common (South)) This too is a double entrance, with a small access, often muddy, to Woodfield, and the main vehicular access along “The Common” road. A pine P3 Notice Board carrying a “No Riding” notice deters cyclists from accessing Woodfield, and an oak O2 Notice Board which confusingly states, inter alia, that no vehicles are allowed on the Common. It is recommended that at the Woodfield Entrance a type F map/Welcome Notice is posted on the P3 Notice Board, and the surfacing further improved; and that pending its replacement by an oak O1 Notice Board, the present O2 Board carries a type R map/Welcome Notice.

4.20 Estate Office Like the Links Road Entrance this has a pine P3 Notice Board presently carrying a “No Riding” notice, two sheets of the monthly newsletter and a Dog Alphabet notice; across the road to the south is a black D2 Corporate Identity Board, and by the Timber Carrier wheels a varnished cedar three panel C3 Board carved with “Ashtead Common Estate Office”, and a map, a Veteran Trees poster and a Green Flag Notice. It is recommended that a type F map/Welcome Notice should be posted on the P3 Notice Board, the map on the D2 Board is removed, and a type R map/Welcome Notice is posted on the C3 Board. The present Green Flag notice should be replaced by an improved, more informative Notice.

5. Audit findings – Designated Rides The 8 Designated Rides on Ashtead Common are all now well established, and are generally being respected by horse riders, while the Recommendations already made will help to reduce unauthorised cycle riding. However the Rides have also been audited to identify more specific improvements to help deter cyclists from leaving the Rides without creating excessive visual “blight”. Details of the audit findings and additional Recommendations for each of the Rides are given in Annex E. The main findings and recommendations therein are summarised below:

5.1 Designated Ride 1, from Two Bridges to Epsom Gap (all year, partly surfaced, now CR1) Together with surfaced Rides 4, 38 and 29 this Ride offers cyclists a “circuit” of the Common. It is already partly surfaced and has recently been widened, but still gets muddy in wet weather, and so is less popular with cyclists than it should be. This in turn is contributing to cyclists using unauthorised routes to cross the Common; in particular, where the Ride is adjacent to Thorn, Willow, Pheonix and Birch Fields cyclists are deviating to these less rutted and less muddy alternatives. All this is leading to damage and disturbance. The Ride has 3 barways and 7 dead hedges, many of which need routine attention. It is recommended that the dead hedge where FP24 leaves the Ride is moved 10m to the south; 8 Stand alone “No Entry” posts are placed to deter cyclists from leaving the Ride; and at the pinch points where this Ride gets muddiest and rutted, judicious scalloping and/or further improvements 10 to camber/surfacing are undertaken to make the use of this Ride less unattractive to cyclists in both wet and dry conditions.

5.2 Designated Ride 2, from Overdale to Rushett Farm View (seasonal, mostly unsurfaced, part of CR2) This Seasonal Ride is popular with horse riders, even though it gets very slippery on the steep slope above Ride 29. East of Ride 33 it lacks barways, while west of Ride 33 cyclists take advantage of mown areas to leave the Ride. A recently fitted barway north of the Earthworks is an example of good management practice, but the recently established tractor access either side of the Dead hedge south of the Earthworks is an open invitation to cyclists. It is recommended that 2 new barways are erected and 4 stand-alone “No Entry” posts are installed, and the dead hedge for FP34 north is moved 20m south so that it is visible from the Ride and covers the smaller path close to the west.

5.3 Designated Ride 3, from Lady Howard’s Crossing to Woodlands Road (all year, surfaced, CR3, recently part of Public Footpath 36). This short Ride does not call for comment, except it is recommended that a Stand alone “No Entry” post is placed discreetly to deter cyclists from leaving the Ride near The Wells estate.

5.4 Designated Ride 4, from Two Bridge to Epsom Common Entrance (all year, all surfaced, recently Public Footpaths 35 and 37, connected by the short CR4.). The recent surfacing of the former public footpaths 35 behind Broadhurst and 37 by the River Restoration Scheme now means that the old footpath numbering is confusing and the existing waymarkers are outdated. The lack of clarity about where cyclists are welcome in the proximity of Overdale and at the FP 34 exit invites abuse. It is recommended that to deter cyclists from accessing Footpath 34 a Stand alone “No Entry” post is placed where this footpath leaves the Ride, and two more “No Entry” posts are placed north of the gas wayleave.

5.5 Designated Ride 5, from Two Bridges to The Common (seasonal, unsurfaced, now CR5). This Ride has no barway at its western end, and Willow Field to the north is inviting to cyclists. It is recommended that “No Entry” roundels are posted at the two styles to Willow Field.

5.6 Designated Ride 29, from Woodcock Corner to Epsom Gap (all year, all surfaced, now Bridleway 29). This popular surfaced ride, now with a pleasant view again after “set aside” and tipping on the fields of Rushetts Farm, and consequential drainage problems mostly resolved, is well maintained, and most of its possible exits deter cyclists. No additional recommendations are made.

5.7 Designated Ride 33, from Woodfield to Chessington View (all year, unsurfaced, now Bridleway 33). Like Ride 1, this ride has been widened but much of it is still muddy in wet weather, encouraging cyclists to divert to Pine Field and mown areas. Nor is there anything to deter cyclists from exiting to the Roman Villa or transiting to/from Overdale via Seasonal Ride 2 when the latter is closed. It is recommended that barways are erected at the exit to the Roman Villa and the eastern exit to Ride 2; brush is placed under the tree at the old eastern exit to Ride 2; and 5 Stand alone “No Entry” posts are placed to deter cyclists from leaving the Ride down various footpaths.

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5.8 Designated Ride 38, from Craddocks Avenue to Woodcock Corner (all year, mostly surfaced, now Bridleways 38 & 147). This ride is well used by walkers and cyclists. Three sections may be considered: First, from Craddocks Avenue to Lady Howards Crossing. Part of this section is already surfaced, and as light cannot penetrate this dense woodland it is recommended the remainder is surfaced. Second, from Lady Howards Crossing to the Epsom Common Entrance. This surfaced section is crossed by Footpath 25 and has exits to Footpaths 35 and 36 as well as to several unnumbered paths leading to the Wells Estate. All these are popular with cyclists, both in transit and with children from the Estate, with only the Notice Board at Woodlands Road to deter them. It is recommended that 9 Stand alone “No Entry” posts are placed discreetly to deter cyclists from leaving the Ride for Footpath 25 and to access The Wells Estate. Third, from the Epsom Common Entrance to Woodcock Corner. The Ride in this narrow strip between Epsom Common and Newton Wood is surfaced until where the unsurfaced bridleway forks from the surfaced track 147. No additional recommendations.

6. Conclusion This audit has made a few recommendations for improving the aesthetics of the Entrances to Ashtead Common, but a large number to clarify and improve their signage, and in particular to deter cyclists from abusing their rights and privileges. The details are complex and considerable effort has been made to minimise the cost and unnecessary visual impact of additional signage, and to enable an enforcement campaign to be launched which, if successful, could then lead to some reduction in the recommended signage. The recommendations include new maps and Welcome Notices throughout, the posting a pair of two inch diameter “No Entry” roundels on every wooden barway and dead hedge, installing 4 additional small pine P3 Notice Boards (three of which are already available), 6 new wooden barways, 4 new dead hedges, 30 stand alone “No Entry” posts (with not more than 8 are recommended for any one Ride), 2 new dog bins, and selectively and judiciously positioned scalloping and/or improved camber/draining/surfacing to reduce mud and rutting is recommended at pinch points on Ride 1, to make its use less unattractive to cyclists. Permission should be sought from English Nature to improve the surfacing at barway and dead hedge pinch points and complete the surfacing of Ride 38 south of Lady Howards Crossing. In the longer term 10 new O2 oak Notice Boards are recommended. These recommendations have been enhanced by fruitful discussions with the Ashtead Common Management team, whose considerable input is hereby acknowledged. The auditors believe the recommendations in this Report will do much to contain the present abuse of Ashtead Common by irresponsible cyclists as well as enhance the signage and mapping for all users, without unnecessarily compromising its aesthetic attractiveness, or incurring unjustifiable expenditure or workload.

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Appendix C 1. Present Notice Boards

black D2 natural oak O1 natural oak O2 Corporate Identity Board Notice Board Notice Board A1 x 4 A1 x 2

Varnished cedar C3 pine P3 Notice Board Notice Board A1 x 3 A4 x 4

2. Prototype Highway Code style “No Entry” roundels (approximately actual size)

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