Forest Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2006 - 2016

Mid Term Review, 2011 Network Improvements and Action Plan

Appendix H: Improvement works to PRoW since 2006

Table 6.2 Network Improvements Already In Progress in 2006

Benefits Progress Improvements How? Routes and links Users since 2006 Reinstatement of ford at end of Work with Highways Dept and Enable horse-riders and carriage-drivers to access Walkers Completed in Watersplash Lane, . (Not a Environment Agency. the full length of Watersplash Lane and West End Cyclists 2006-2007 public right of way, but a key feature Lane & Avery Lane (Warfield BW8). Horse-riders in the provision of circular routes.) Creation of new Warfield bridleway Work with landowners - Links the following public rights of way: Walkers Completed in alongside Maidenhead road at primarily Syngenta. • Warfield BW20 (Hawthorne Lane) Cyclists 2006-2007 Jealott’s Hill. • Warfield BW19 (Penfurzen Lane) Horse-riders • Warfield BW17 (Pendry’s Lane) Less mobile • Warfield BW18 (Gough’s Barn Lane) users

Table 6.3 Possible Future Improvements to the Network planned in 2006

Proposer Suggestion How? Benefits Progress since Routes and Links Users 2006 BFBC Major £18k upgrade of • Create permissive • Link from built-up areas of Bracknell to Look Walkers Completed in 2008/9. FP22 Bracknell bridleway – BFC Out and . Cyclists NB this is not signed (alongside owned land. • Link between cycleways in and Less mobile users as a permissive Nine Mile Ride) to Hanworth. bridleway. The reality permissive bridleway. • Link to cycleway along B3430 Nine Mile is that it remains a FP Ride towards and Wokingham. but cycle usage is • Link to cycleway along A3095 and B3348 allowed. There is no Bracknell Road – and then to Crowthorne evidence of horse rider BR14, Crowthorne RUPP12 (Devil’s Highway) usage but this is not and Crowthorne village. restricted. BFBC Upgrade FP8 Crowthorne • Creation • Create route from Swinley Forest and Walkers Not progressed - to bridleway agreement with Crowthorne RUPP12 (Devil’s Highway) Cyclists Potential needs to be landowner (Health through to Wildmoor Heath (Sandhurst Horse-riders reassessed in light of

39 Table 6.3 Possible Future Improvements to the Network planned in 2006

Proposer Suggestion How? Benefits Progress since Routes and Links Users 2006 authority) BR20 & BR9) and Edgbarrow Hill. Less mobile users the Thames Basin • Permissive path Heath SPA and any agreement potential future development at Broadmoor Hospital. BFBC Upgrade southern end of • Creation • Link Sandhurst FP20 & Crowthorne Walkers Not progressed - South Road agreement with FP8/Sandhurst FP21. Cyclists Potential needs to be (not currently a public landowners • Create route from Swinley Forest and Horse-riders reassessed in light of right of way) for • Permissive path Crowthorne RUPP12 (Devil’s Highway) Less mobile users the Thames Basin official use by walkers, agreement through to Wildmoor Heath (Sandhurst BR20 Heath SPA and any horse-riders and cyclists. & BR9) and Edgbarrow Hill. potential future development at Broadmoor Hospital. BFBC Upgrade FP1 Crowthorne • Creation • Provide off-road links for cyclists & Cyclists Not progressed as of & FP9 Sandhurst to agreement with horseriders between Crowthorne & Sandhurst Horse-riders yet, largely dependent bridleways. landowners via BR7 & BW7 Sandhurst and BR9 Less mobile users on Wellington College. • Permissive path Crowthorne. agreement • Provide links to Wokingham District rights of way – RUPP24, RUPP31 & RUPP27 Finchampstead. BFBC Creation of bridleway Section 106 Creation of circular route for local horseriders Walkers Negotiations have between Lane agreement already in footpath-dominated area. Cyclists commenced. and Crouch Lane. granted - further Horse-riders land needed to Less mobile users complete link. BFBC Extension of BR26 Create permissive • Extension of existing bridleway to link with Walkers Not progressed as of Warfield (Hedge Lane) bridleway – BFBC permissive bridleways across Lark’s Hill and Cyclists yet. At present a west through Priory owned land. on to Avery Lane and West End Lane. Horse-riders Pegasus crossing is Fields. Less mobile users not feasible but the concept is being included in the Warfield Development Plans. BFBC Further creation of routes Creation or Creation of circular routes using Lark’s Hill, Walkers Not progressed as of

40 Table 6.3 Possible Future Improvements to the Network planned in 2006

Proposer Suggestion How? Benefits Progress since Routes and Links Users 2006 across Cabbage Hill. permissive path Avery Lane, West End Lane and Cyclists yet. At present a agreement with Hazelwood Lane. Horse-riders Pegasus crossing is landowners Less mobile users not feasible but the concept is being included in the Warfield Development Plans. Member Implement CPRE’s* Quiet Implement CPRE’s* Lanes suggested as possible Quiet Lanes: All users. Not progressed of Local Lanes Quiet Lanes • Ryehurst Lane Access initiative initiative • Westley Mill Lane Forum Member Quiet Lanes initiative Work with Highways All users Not progressed of Local department. Access Forum Member Route alongside Western Crowthorne FP8 already provides this link and Walkers. Not progressed of Local edge of A3095 bypass would therefore benefit from upgrading to a Cyclists. Access north of . bridleway. Horse-riders. Forum Member Link between FP8 and Contact landowner - • Would allow users to avoid using Braziers Walkers Not feasible due to of Local FP10 Winkfield creation agreement Lane, a busy and narrow road. results of Highway Access or creation of • Would help link up a circular route in Safety Audit in 2009. Forum permissive path. Winkfield • Alternative opportunities might include improvement of the verge along Braziers Lane Member Request for safe Contact landowner - • Would allow users to avoid busy road Walkers Not feasible of public pedestrian / horse route creation agreement • Would create bridleway circuit comprising Cyclists between southern end of or creation of Spinning Wheel Lane, Hill Farm Lane and Horse-riders Spinning Wheel Lane permissive path Hazelwood Lane Less mobile users ( BR22) & western end of Hill Farm Lane (Binfield RUPP21), avoiding main road.

41 Table 6.3 Possible Future Improvements to the Network planned in 2006

Proposer Suggestion How? Benefits Progress since Routes and Links Users 2006 Member Create public right of way Contact landowner - • Cross-border working. Not progressed of public along Oak Walk at creation agreement • Provision of links to Wokingham footpaths to Stables – or creation of create further circular routes. previously used to access permissive path public footpath that crosses it further down towards the straight mile – but closed when property sold. Member Extend existing footpath / Cycle lane already covers this area. Dependent on Warfield of public cycleway for short Development. distance to Tesco’s and community centre – from Maize Lane to Jig’s Lane North.

Table 6.4 Improvements to the Network since 2006 (in addition to those stated in the ROWIP)

Year Improvements Benefits Routes and links Users 2006-07 Resurfacing of Hog Oak lane Byways Walkers Cyclists Horse-riders Off road vehicles 2007-08 Hard surfacing (part) of Bracknell FP15 Walkers Hard hoggin surfacing at Horseshoe Lake, a Permissive Bridleway Walkers Cyclists Horse-riders Repairs on the middle section of Hawthorne lane (Warfield BW20) Tarmac of Swan lane, Sandhurst FP2 Walkers Repairs at Avery lane, Warfield BW8 All categories 2008-09 Surface repairs/improvements to Pendry’s lane (Warfield BW17) TRO Walkers

42 Table 6.4 Improvements to the Network since 2006 (in addition to those stated in the ROWIP)

Year Improvements Benefits Routes and links Users Riders Cyclists Surface repairs/improvements to Berry lane (Winkfield BW 4) All categories Surface repairs/improvements to Hill Farm lane (Binfield RB 21) Walkers Riders Cyclists Devil’s Highway (Crowthorne RB12) Access to car park All categories 2009-10 Hazelwood lane (Binfield BR19 and BR24 and Warfield BR9 and BR11 ) Walkers Riders Cyclists Hawthorne Dale lane (BR25) Walkers Riders Cyclists 2010-11 Hazelwood lane (Binfield BW 9) Walkers Riders Cyclists Project work was completed to restore Queen Anne Gulley (Crowthorne The gulley which runs from Nine Mile Ride to Walkers and FP17) historic footpath and ride which was established in 1708 so that an Caesar’s Camp was identified as having access for aging Queen Anne could follow the hunt in her carriage. subsiding banks and therefore in need of repair emergency and to make it safe for public use. maintenance Working jointly with the Crown Estate, Bracknell Forest Council secured vehicles. grant funding from Natural to replace the rotting timber with locally sourced timber (Cedars) from the Crown Estate. The eastern section of Sandhurst FP4 was resurfaced with tarmac in 2008. Walkers Following this upgrade, Ward Members identified up to £20 thousand Cyclists funding for completion of the western section in March 2011. Ringway Less mobile users conducted the work.

Handrail improvements alongside the steps down Sandhurst FP5, Cock-a- Walkers dobby. Less mobile users 2011 Waitrose have established a boardwalk surface on Bracknell Footpath 20, in Walkers the Southern Industrial Estate, as part of a woodland management scheme Less mobile users on their land.

43 Appendix I: Future improvements

Table 6.5 Proposed Improvements to the Network as of 2011

No. Proposer Suggestion How? Benefits Routes and links Users 1 BFC Sandhurst FP14 – BBOWT could Discuss with BBOWT about It will keep a legal line of footpath that is Walkers offer path for dedication where possibilities for new path passable. legal line of FP is not passable due dedication. to rising water level. 2 LCAF Official route through Little Hazes This will need to be a cross It would be best to achieve this through the toll Walkers woods linking Mare Lane to Drift boundary effort with RBWM. scheme with Allanby Estates (see No. 10) Horseriders Road. Cyclists 3 LCAF Gain permission to cross the top of Gain permission from This will allow horse-riders safer passage onto Horseriders the B3034 Forest Road (Cabbage Thames Water to cross their Hazelwood Lane avoiding the junction of Forest Hill) land. Road/Hazelwood Lane/Binfield Road close to the Wyevale Garden Centre and Thames Water Sewage Works. 4 LCAF Make a horse margin of the grass This could be a safer option when coming from Walkers verge adjacent to Honeywood Nuptown Lane heading towards Horseriders Farm in Nuptown on the Ascot passing the Malt Hill junction Road leading into Kingscroft Road in Warfield for horse-riders and walkers. 5 LCAF Upgrade Warfield Footpath 3 to a Would have to work with Would make a nice circular route so that the Horseriders bridleway across Frost Folly from ? Syngenta who own the lane. Ascot Road/Kingscroft Road/Malt Hill junction Cyclists Lane to Church Lane and/or Malt (Frost family) could be avoided when horse-riding the land? Hill. 6 LCAF Upgrade Warfield Footpath 12 to a Examine the physical works Horseriders bridleway from Warfield Street to needed to achieve this and if Cyclists Church Lane via Gibbins Lane in deemed feasible a Warfield. reclassification order will need to be done. 7 LCAF Upgrade Warfield Footpath 5 There are already horse This would enable horse-riders to extend the Horseriders across Windmill Hill from Cocks gates in place. Warfield bridle circuit and cut out the busy Cocks Cyclists Lane in Maidens Green to Lane/Bracknell Road crossing. Bracknell Road in Brockhill.

44 (currently private BR rights only 8 LCAF Gain permission to use Chawridge Cross boundary effort with This will give another route option in Winkfield Horseriders Lane in Winkfield for horse-riders. RBWM. linking from Winkfield Road to Drift Road. Cyclists 9 LCAF Approach land owners to see if People to approach could If these land owners are members of the Horseriders they are willing to offer 'Toll Ride' include Allanbay Park, Environmental Stewardship Scheme, it may pay options or riding permits for using Thames Water, Billingbear them to provide access/improvements and their land (Stokes Farm, Binfield Park, Emmet Brothers. access links. Road, Wokingham allow this). (would need to be joint project between Emmet Brothers and RBWM) 10 LCAF Provide an off-road link between Along edge of golf course Avoid busy road. Walkers (Richard West Road and Bracknell FP18 Mosses)

45 Appendix J: Updated Action Plan

ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS

1. Information and Marketing

a) Produce further route guides and access Low Medium  Online route guides to leaflets (printed or online) * be reviewed and  Route guides for four countryside walks are updated in time for the - Create further online route maps and available online, however these need updating new BFC website launch in early 2012. guides for walks * Medium High to reflect changes in the routes and to include - Produce a horse-riding leaflet to the level of walk difficulty.  The horse riding leaflet complement walking and cycling  A horse riding leaflet is now available online needs to be updated so leaflets and as a hard copy. This gets distributed to that it fits in with the BFC the public via Bracknell libraries and The Look corporate standards and Medium  High High Out Discovery Centre. so that it features safety information for riders including riders shown wearing high-vis gear.

b) Make route guides and access leaflet  Information relating to Accessible Rural  The Bracknell Forest available online Routes, Leisure Cycling and Mountain biking Ramblers Route leaflet ROWIP4 Low  Medium Medium and designated routes such as the Bracknell is due to be updated, Forest Ramblers Route is available online. reprinted and made available online.

c) Produce overall rights of way and access Medium High  There is no general walking leaflet to  To explore the guide for both users & non-users accompany the suite of Discover Outdoor possibility of designing a Activities, which includes Horseriding and ‘walking in Bracknell Leisure Cycling/Mountain biking. Forest’ leaflet; this would include an overview of walking opportunities in the Borough.

d) Keep online maps of public rights of way  Online maps of public rights of way are  These online maps will updated and easily accessible by public. * available to the public from the BFC website be updated in Medium Medium as downloadable PDFs. conjunction with the revision of the Definitive Map and Statement.

46 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS e) Produce overall rights of way and access  The current design of the BFC website limits  A new BFC website is guide for both users & non-users Seek to the possibility of having interactive online due to be launched in have online rights of way GIS mapping High rights of way GIS mapping available to the late 2011, which may available to public public. open up opportunities to make PROW GIS mapping more interactive.

2. Definitive Map and Statement

. Re-consolidate Definitive Map and ROWIP4 High High The process to review the Definitive Map and Explore the possibility of Statement following introduction of Statement has begun. uploading electronic Restricted Byway status copies of the Definitive Map and Statement to the BFC public website. Signage of Public Rights of Way

. Maintain to a high standard ROWIP2 Low  Medium High  Permanent signage such as way markers and Continue to monitor and fingerposts are reviewed biannually as part of maintain prow signage and the voluntary ranger’s inspection works. A to follow procedure for programme of work takes place to repair path displaying temporary furniture. signage for path diversions/closures etc.  Temporary signage including notification orders and maps erected for diversions, temporary/permanent closures etc. is displayed in accordance with legislation.

. Renewed signage including in situ ROWIP4 Medium High  contact details

Maintenance of Public Rights of Way

. Maintain high standard of public rights of Medium  High High  BVPI ceased to be a national requirement as  Continue to collect way maintenance and BVPI (Best Value of 1st April 2008, however BFC still continues PROW statistics in Performance Indicator) result * to collect this information on a bi-annual order to monitor the basis as it provides a useful benchmark for condition of the

47 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS assessing the condition of the network. network.

. Publicise BVPI results and other works to ROWIP2 Low High  These results are published as part of the  Consider publishing this keep public informed * mid-term review of the ROWIP. data on the BFC public website.

. Make online feedback form more visible  The online reporting form for issues with  If the new website build and accessible to users * PROW has recently been updated so that it allows a more Low High is easier for the public to use. interactive mapping service, this could simplify the online feedback process.

Physical Improvements to Public Rights of Way

. Where practical, seek to make public High Medium  As part of SANG improvement works, new rights of way accessible to mobility finger posts have been installed at Longhill impaired users through improvements to Park which feature larger lettering to improve surfaces and path furniture (e.g. removal legibility from a distance and to increase of stiles and non-wheelchair-accessible connectivity between sites. gates)  See Tables 6.2. 6.3 and 6.4 under Improvement works to Bracknell Forest ROWIP1 Council’s rights of way network since 2006. ROWIP2 Work is due to take place to make the stiles more accessible along the section of the 3 Castles Path in Bracknell, which runs along the Crowthorne and Sandhurst boundary. For more proposed accessibility improvements to the network, see Table 6.5.

48 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS

. Seek to improve the safety of road High Low  crossings for public rights of way, particularly recognising the need of horse-riders. Events Using Public Rights of Way:

. Continue to provide regular guided walks Low High . Monthly walks with the Rangers and ‘Get . Continue to provide across the borough * Active and Keep Fit’ walks are organised by regular guided walks BFC Parks & Countryside service. across the borough. ROWIP4 . Establish improved communication with Low  Medium High  Close liaison with Blackwater Valley  Ask Town/Parish other event providers to aid marketing ROWIP5 Countryside Partnership and neighbouring Council’s to advertise and information provision of events using LCAFs these walks on their public rights of way * websites/site notice boards.

- Co-ordinate advertising of Ranger-led Low High  The walks organised by the Parks and  Ensure these events walks and Sports Centre-led Health Countryside service are included as part of the are included on the Walks. main events programme, which can be BFC events calendar. obtained as a hard copy leaflet, or can be  Produce posters listing downloaded from the BFC website. the walks that can be displayed on site notice boards  Advertise these walks through press releases.

. The Travel Plan Coordinator at BFC organises . To continue to liaise guided events for cyclists in Bracknell Forest. with Travel Plan . Consider providing guided events for Medium  High Low  Medium Coordinator to link up other users such as cyclists Cycling/ROW work.

Promoted Routes . Seek continuous improvements to Low  High Low  High  Plans to join up the various segments of  The Ramblers Route existing promoted routes including the paths adjoining The Cut have had to be leaflet is being updated Ramblers Route, Binfield Bridle Circuit, shelved owing to significant constraints (see to reflect changes to Cut Riverside Path and Blackwater Valley section 5.11). the route of Bracknell

49 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS Path. ROWIP1 FP 15. All web information relating to ROWIP2 these promoted routes is also in the process of being updated. ROWIP3

. Seek to establish new promoted routes High Medium  Low  No progress has been made to promote the N/A such as a Bracknell Forest Heritage Trail ROWIP4 Bracknell Forest Heritage Trail and nor will it – Bracknell Forest Heritage Strategy likely to, owing to budget cuts. i.e. loss of the 2004. Heritage Officer and the service.

New Paths and Linkages

. Seek to reclassify selected existing public For a summary of progress relating to New For proposed future footpaths to open the network to more Paths and Linkages since 2006 see Tables 6.2. improvements to the cyclists and horseriders. 6.3 and 6.4 under Improvement works to network, including new Bracknell Forest Council’s rights of way network paths and linkages, see . See Table 6.3: since 2006. Table 6.5.

o Seek to upgrade FP22 Bracknell (alongside Nine Mile Ride) to High Medium  High bridleway.

o Seek to upgrade FP8 Crowthorne to High Unknown

bridleway o Seek to upgrade southern end of ROWIP1 High Unknown South Road for official bridleway use. ROWIP3 High Unknown o Seek to upgrade FP1 Crowthorne & FP9 Sandhurst to bridleways.

. Seek to create new paths and links to

extend and improve the current network

- Seek to complete the ‘missing’ High Medium  High sections of the Blackwater Valley Path through The Yateley Lakes and Church Farm High Unknown - Seek to create additional sections of

50 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS The Cut Riverside Path and to link this with the Thames Path through liaison with landowners and The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Medium  High Medium - Look to make use of and increase the usability of verges to create links between paths Medium  High Medium - Look to create horse-margins alongside busy roads to aid the formation of circular routes High Unknown - Seek to create a bridleway between Winkfield Lane and Crouch Lane.

Cross-Border Issues / Working with Partners

. Maintain and enhance communication  Positive steps are being taken towards Continue to inform and close-working with neighbouring increasing the liaison between the Bracknell Forest LCAF authorities and landowning bodies Local Access Forums, the neighbouring members about Low High authorities and landowning bodies (see 5.10 neighbouring LAF o Including: Wokingham District Cross-Border Issues). meetings so they have the Council, The Royal Borough of opportunity to attend as Windsor and Maidenhead, Surrey  Cross border guides should not be necessary ROWIP1 observers. Likewise, County Council, Hampshire County as the ones provided by BFC and continue to advertise Council, the Blackwater Valley ROWIP3 neighbouring highway authorities should be upcoming Bracknell Forest Countryside Partnership, the Crown sufficient. LCAF meetings. Estate, Forestry Commission, ROWIP4 National Trust and Berks, Bucks and

Oxon Wildlife

o Trust (BBOWT). . Maintain and enhance communication and close-working with town and parish councils within Bracknell Forest

51 ROWIP RESOURCE FEASIBILITY PROGRESS TO DATE (JUNE 2011) FUTURE ACTIONS PROPOSED ACTIONS POLICY REQUIREMENTS

. Look to produce cross-border routes and Low High guides for public *

. Examine rights of way in boundary areas and consider improvements such as Medium Medium  High cross-border extensions where these will facilitate greater public access and enjoyment. Medium  High Low Monitoring and Review of ROWIP

. Monitor progress of ROWIP projects ROWIP4 Low High Annual LCAF reports are produced which are through annual LCAF (Local Countryside uploaded to the ROW section of the BFC public Access Forum) report website. Integrate ROWIP with Other Policies and Strategies

. Local Transport Plan: maintain close This document has reviewed the policies and contact and working with Highways strategies set out in ROWIP and updated them department to enable joint approaches to where necessary. LTP3 is given particular objectives & policies such as: reference owing to the increasing part it plays in the ROWIP process. See 4.4 Local o To reduce peak hour congestion; Medium  High Medium Transport Plan 2006-2011 (superseded by LTP3 o To provide better access to essential 2011-2026) services by means other than the car. o LTP2: change in area-wide vehicle kilometres on local authority managed roads – reduced kilometres. o LTP3: increase cycle use by 20% by 2011; o BFBC5: BFBC to implement a Travel Plan for its employees by December 2006 – promotion of o greener methods of travel and ability to lead by example; o BVPI 178: To maintain 100% of Rights of Way as accessible for the life of the plan. . Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership Strategy * = quick-wins

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