Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF) for Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City and South

July 2018 JLAF: Supplementary Background Papers

Some items on the agenda are addressed verbally at the meeting, therefore, papers are not available for every item on the agenda.

C: ITEMS TO REPORT/ FOR INFORMATION C1: News from the Public Rights of Way teams

Bristol City Council Rights of Way Update for JLAF 06/07/2018

ORDERS

During the past quarter, the two Town & Country Planning Act orders: Hartcliffe Way (BCC/547) related to Metrobus is awaiting confirmation and the other, also for Metrobus at Silbury Rd (BCC/424,207 and 422) has been confirmed, both are awaiting certification. One Highways Act Order is at informal consultation, regarding completed Metrobus works, Bedminster. Two Highways Act orders one at Lawrence Weston Moor /Avon Riding for the Disabled (BCC/8 and 11) and the other at Dovercourt Rd for Network Rail’s Electrification scheme connecting Dovercourt Road to Brangwyn Road via a new bridge (BCC/141 and 142) are confirmed.

1 S106 WORK

There are 4 schemes which are to be paid for by S106 funding.

1. College Road to Halfpenny Bridge (BCC/156) has had a procedural delay in accessing the funds, but the monies should be available soon to commence design. 2. Brentry (BCC/542) - the relevant permissions have been given and the money will be drawn down soon 3. Muller Road (BCC/143) - funds will become available when the developer starts work on site. 4. Hinkley Point C connection with Seabank– mitigation contribution focused on Hallen Marsh area

CAPITAL & PROJECTS

Boardwalk in Lawrence Weston Moor nature reserve, bordering Avon Riding Centre for the disabled will be jointly funded by the HLF project, A Forgotten Landscape, Bristol Parks and Public Rights of Way. The public footpath is designed to be fully accessible on completion. The route of the accessible public footpath required a diversion order which has now been confirmed (BCC/8 and 11). This is the first stage of the project, as then BCC PROW will be able to work on the path for the 2018/19 financial year.

Smaller works have also been completed:

• Tarmacking of urban path between houses completed (BCC/96A)

Works underway:

• Various stone-to-dust improvements, and small-scale repairs, subject to final capital funding opportunities within current financial year.

COAST PATH, FLOOD DEFENCE SCHEME & HINKLEY –SEABANK CABLING WORKS - as with South Gloucestershire the English Coast Path scheme will soon be out for consultation, it will be finalised and then published in a report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Once published, the report will be available on GOV.UK and advertised in the local press. There is also interplay with the flood defence work which is expected to be constructed after the opening of the Coastal Trail. The ecological mitigation associated with flood defence work is a scheme for birdlife scrapes planned at Hallen Marsh and discussions are taking place on safeguarding the network of public paths and improving the condition of the routes by creating raised causeways. The planning application is on the planning portal ref: 18/03235/K, which is open for comment, the application covers both Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils.

2 BCC PROW are attempting to negotiate a through route continuing to the south from the junction of Ableton Lane and Severn Road. In the same area there are proposals for mitigation works for the Hinkley – Seabank high voltage cabling works. The three independent developments will contribute to the enhancement of the Hallen Marsh area over a period of time.

These proposals will have a significant effect on the English Coast Path in the Bristol area, as well as the nature of the prow network nearby.

Stoke Park – Officers are contributing to the design of new surfaced route(s) in Stoke Park. Parks are preparing a grant scheme to replace some of the access furniture. Comments have been submitted to require more accessible entrances for use by all legitimate users. Any gates installed are to meet British Standard 5709 at the time of installation which will improve accessibility.

MetroWest and Metrobus – Continued liaison with schemes and officers to guarantee diversions are made in the appropriate manner and to the greatest benefit for the public, keeping existing routes open where possible.

CLAIMS

Priority 1 – Rear of Shaldon Road and Morris Road, Lockleaze – this claim has been prioritised as it is affected by a planning application concerning the development for housing of adjacent land in the ownership of the Council. Access proposals include pedestrian access to the claimed route and a cycle link over part of the route. A committee report is currently being drafted and is anticipated to be presented to the relevant committee in September.

Priority 2 – Crow Lane to Machin Road, Henbury – The Council has received a Direction from the Secretary of State to determine the DMMO application by 1 st September 2018. Work will begin soon to collate and evaluate the evidence prior to drafting a report and commencing informal consultation.

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Bath & North East Somerset Council PROW Update for JLAF 06/07/2018

Definitive Map

Beek’s Mill, St Catherine – The public inquiry to determine that Bath and North East Somerset Council (Restricted Byway BA21/12, Beeks Mill, St Catherine) Definitive Map Modification Order 2017 is scheduled to commence at 10am on 7 August 2018 Brunswick Room, Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW. The public inquiry is open to the public. Glenavon Farm, Saltford – Following an investigation and public consultation, the Authority determined that there was insufficient evidence to show that the two claimed routes had acquired public rights. One of the Applicants has appealed against the Authority’s decision and the appeal documents can be found online here . Brunel Bridge, Bathampton and Bathford – The Authority has successfully confirmed an order to record a public footpath from Tyning from in Bathampton over the River Avon to Bradford Road in Bathford. The order safeguards the public’s right to use a route which Network Rail had previously opposed being recorded as a public rights of way. First Avenue, Westfield – The Authority is investigating an application to record a public footpath near First Avenue in Westfield. This is the Authority’s last DMMO application which had not yet been determined. Widcombe Ward – The Authority has carried out the investigation into public rights of way in the Widcombe Ward as part of the Bath Definitive Map Project. Landowners have been consulted and the public consultation will start shortly.

Public Path Orders The Authority has consulted on proposals to divert: • BA5/22 at Langridge in Charlcombe • BA5/35 & 45 at Bath Racecourse in Charlcombe • BA25/14 at Weavers Farm Lodge in Wellow • CL14/4 at Mead Cottage in Nempnett Thrubwell • BA27/19 & 20 at Riverside Terrace in Keynsham • BA22/7 at Combe Path Lawn in South Stoke • CL8/43 at Morgan’s Cottage in East Harptree

The Authority has made and confirmed diversion orders to divert: • BA8/52 at Acres End in Compton Dando • CL7/31 at Tree Tops in Compton Martin • CL20/6 at Stowey Crossroads in Stowey Sutton • CL9/23 at New Manor Farm in Farmborough

4 Capital Programme The 2018/19 PROW Capital Improvement Programme includes work to 11 different public rights of way:

Scheme PROWs Proposed Works Name Affected Batheaston BA2/5 Rebuild sections of Batheaston Riverpath Riverpath Welton CL24/18 Drainage and surface treatment Brook Cotswold Drainage and surface treatment to a section of the BC36/1 Way (75% funded by Cotswold AONB) Bellotts Tarmaccing urban footpath to improve safety and AQ32 Road accessibility Widening and surfacing of narrow path to improve route St Julians BA23/10 to school Temple CL1/7 Tarmac remaining section of path. Way Inn Ln Fencing of path on high bank for safety on new The Street CL20/8 diversion alignment Cleveland AQ35 Re-tarmaccing of path following deterioration of surface Walk North Stoke Drainage and leveling works to improve accessibility BA18/11 BR and safety for horseriders PSJ BR BA19/18 Surface treatment and upgrading gates Greenway AQ73 Repairs to steps and surfacing using crushed stone Lane

The works to rebuild sections of the Batheaston Riverpath (BA2/5), which had to be closed as a result of erosion, have already been completed and before and after photos can be seen below:

5 Revenue Maintenance The Authority has been carrying out maintenance and enforcement works as usual, with a particular emphasis on working with farmers to ensure that paths are reinstated after cropping. Specific projects include:

• Surfacing works on CL24/41 and CL24/19 in Midsomer Norton to improve accessibility for members of the public in mobility scooters and wheelchairs.

• Re-siting the historic Molly Brook Slab Bridge and installing kissing gates on CL23/42 and CL8/25 East and West Harptree to improve the full through route.

• Tarmaccing and tree works on CL9/18 in Farmborough to improve the surface quality on an important link path in the village.

The Authority has awarded new contracts for the biannual cutting of vegetation on 37km of public rights of way; the contract covers the next three year period. The Authority is also in the process of re-tendering for the contract to carry out ‘minor works’ on the network including installation of bridges, gates and signage.

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South Gloucestershire Council Rights of Way Update for JLAF 06/07/2018

1. Budgets next year largely as previous. Expecting review in next FY for 19/20 & 20/21 facing large reductions in national funding, up £20m reductions across council. The priorities are supporting vulnerable people and roads and streets(place)

2. A forgotten Landscape –promoted round walks now published in the area around . See pack.

3. Coast path expecting report of proposed route Aust – Brean in Autumn 2018.

4. Liaison Group – 27 June – Issues raised: - Taking the South Gloucestershire Way forward, issues for the Cotswold wardens inc the Gateway Project funding, Sea Wall changes planning application, ORPAS (green dotted routes on OS maps), DOGS DOGS DOGS!!,

5. Legal Orders :-

a. Railway Crossing Path Diversion at Charfield. Defra took it in house, BOTO rejected as was second diversion order. Meanwhile original route remains closed by temporary order due to safety concerns permissive alternative still in place. NR seeking contributions towards improvements from developments. Discussions ongoing as Inspector at hearing recommended accessibility improvements to alternative crossing. b. There are many development diversion orders and we continue to seek the best outcome. Thornbury, Emersons Green and Yate north. c. PROW & CR Sub Committee on 21 June. Merlin Housing Association 1 st order approved for making, diversions/stopping ups at Emersons green, Oldbury on Severn, Winterbourne and a DMMO claimed bridleway was approved for a footpath order to be made we expect objections to this and its referral to the Sec of State. d. Orders made last few months include:- Charfield minor path diversion, attached to Regulatory Cttee agenda and PROW & CR Sub Committee agenda

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6. Developments – The River Severn Coastal Wall defences application is in and on the public website. PROW will be responding but JLAF might want to comment. Initially it seems there is a trend to re-profile the embankments and place the /Coast path lower than the top of the embankment. It can be found on SGC Planning site here PT18/2505/R3F

7. Gaps and Improvements - Volunteer Groups continue to be vital for the delivery of improvements. Cotswold Wardens have been working in Marshfield, Old Sodbury, Bitton and Cold Ashton, Badminton on various projects and jobs such as rebuilding a stone stile, waymarking and signposting on the Badminton Estate, clearances of vegetations and several kissing gates and gates repaired and replaced across the AONB area in SGC. Southwold have been busy in Alveston, Near Wickwar, Alomondsbury, and Shepperdine. They have been replacing stiles with gates and kissing gates, repairing ditch crossings and carrying out vegetation clearances. Kingswood Ramblers have also been busy mainly in Bitton and Siston with replacing gates and kissing gates and vegetation clearances.

8 C2: JLAF Health Committee

JLAF Sub Group HWBG Chair Meeting notes for 26 th June 2018

A: Introduction:

1. John Darvill Chair of JLAF Sub group HWB welcomed Councillor Ben Stokes ( S Glos Health Well Being) and Fiona Vosper SG HWB Partnership Officer as well as:

Donald Macintyre (DM) Ruth Howard (RH) Kathy Thomas (KT) Rennie Dickins (RD)

2 Apologies – Ann Fay, Michael Bell

3 No Declarations of interest

4 All agreed that there were no matters arising from 24 th January meeting to be added to the agenda.

SOUTH GLOS HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD

1 Links between the HWBG and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategies

Health and Wellbeing is becoming a prominent topic in various areas of public and environmental concern. Increasingly it appears in regional and strategic plans as a significant area for consideration as well as individual projects that affect our environment. Due to this the current Joint Rights of Way development plan pays considerable attention to promote and facilitate active health.

NICE has recently published a new document on its web site in March that offers advice on what we should be taking into consideration in a concise and helpful way.

Councillor Ben Stokes and Fiona Vosper explained the South HWB Board, its purpose and the Fiona’s role. Her remit relates to both the built and natural environment in terms of Health and Well Being in terms of accessibility.

Their scope covers a range of social and public issues such as public safety, health care and vulnerable people. The SG HWB Board is partnered strategically with Bristol, N.Somerset and does not include Banes who are part of the Wiltshire Group. Annually the principle share of local authority

9 budget is greatest for Social Care of which HWB issues are included thus giving opportunity for funding. (£360 Billion ?)

Fiona will copy the group with various documents setting out back ground information on the partnership, remits and how HWB sits within the overall strategy.

The most important part of the S.Glos : JSP in terms of HWB are Policy 5 ‘Place shaping Principles’ P2 – 7 that relate to Health and Wellbeing.

The S.Glos HWB Board has regular meetings with the various public bodies in their authority including NHS, Police, Mental Health, CCG, Serona Care etc.

2: JLAF and the ROWIP – our expected contribution in respect of HWB?

Discussions took place as to how the JLAF would fit into the current and future plans for the S.Glos HWB Board. It was felt that we should ensure that our views are considered at each opportunity where consultation, public or statutory, is available. To this end the JLAF need to revisit and to check whether it has statutory status when draft strategies are up for consultation. It should also consider any current opportunities and that future consultation should allow the JLAF to frame its views in positive practical terms that can influence and contribute to future policies that cascade from Regional to Local ones.

Fiona mentioned that they have a Memorandum of Objectives that they have agreed as a joint commitment for a shared vision with the West of Countryside Alliance? Members expressed an interest in seeing a copy as it may provide a useful example of how the JLAF might align itself with various other parties.

RD made a point that JLAF should concentrate at policy levels and not get involved with the more detailed, technical aspects for individual schemes.

RH encouraged the view that S.Glos might be braver in its attitude towards promoting more imaginative solutions to Rights of Way issues and this might be an area where the JLAF could assist given the varied range of experienced people it has representing the forum. Public access to land being the principal role for the JLAF.

KT made the point that often individual schemes lacked joined up thinking regarding opportunities to promote and improve access in the surrounding areas.

DM reminded members that public access to land should be inclusive for all ( walkers, Cyclists, Horse riders, etc) and offer good connectivity to other spaces and local services.

10 Conclusion: 1. JLAF member needs to interrogate what public consultations are currently in train and whether we should be contributing / is the JLAF a statutory consultee? 2. Fiona will assist us where possible to flag up such opportunities.

3: Proactive approach to individual applications:

a: At what level of scrutiny should the JLAF provide when schemes are submitted for its consideration ?

Generally agreed that JLAF should concentrate at Strategic level. Inevitably as a statutory consultee individual schemes will be submitted for its comments. It is assumed that technical review and comparison with relevant policies will be undertaken by others. JLAF should consider other ideas and comment in such a way to introduce lateral thinking as well as a healthy challenge as to whether the scheme does in fact meet policies.

b: Should we use a checklist of items that test whether the proposals fit with current and future aspirations for HWB standards? ( this might aid consistency and be capable for updating as further requirements emerge).

This needs to be addressed as a separate exercise after we have absorbed and reviewed the information being made available to us from Fiona.

C OTHER BUSINESS

1 How do we encourage more people from the main Forum to join the HWBG? This was not discussed as the meeting had to close. This will be raised at the main JLAF meeting.

Earlier JD mentioned his view that one or two extra members should be recruited to the HWBG in order to aid availability and greater range of ideas etc.

2 Reviewing and reissuing the HWBG Terms of Reference. Not discussed – defer until next opportunity.

Meeting Closed at 15.40 Hrs.

JD / 180705

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C3: JLAF ROW Committee

JLAF Rights of Way Sub-committee - 22 June 18 Attendees: Peter Bird Liz Richardson Jenny Heath – Work Experience Student Ken Mill Appologies: Andrew Gough and Chris Simpson Notes of previous meeting held on 30 Jan 18 agreed. Main areas discussed were: Agreed the key areas identified at the previous meeting in relation to volunteering, planning, and the priorities of the Appointing Authorities. Many thanks to Graeme Stark for his notes and points of clarification following on from our meeting held back in January. Discussion on the following topics: Cycling and Walking – it was suggested we should try to encourage representation from Sustrans to attend JLAF. Upgrading of footpaths to bridleways where appropriate to provide a better connected network for horse riders. Impact of new developments and opportunities for improvements to the public rights of way network for walking and cycling to schools, shops and places of work. Encourage tourism and leisure with improved interconnection of public rights of way to support cycling, walking and riding. Park and ride – facilities to include cycle parking. Future of the sub-group – believe we have identified key areas to inform JLAF. It is recommended that the Sub-committee is retained but meet on an adhoc basis as and when any issues require a more detailed discussion.

Ken Mill 5 July 18 JLAF Member

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