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Home , Burnby, Cherry Burton, Eastrington, East Riding of Yorkshire, Minster Way, Skirlaugh

EAST OF AND Joint Local Access Forum

12th Annual Report 2015 - 2016 WELCOME TO THE TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE AND KINGSTON UPON HULL JOINT LOCAL ACCESS FORUM (JLAF)

Chairman’s Summary

This has been an interesting year as we move closer Government funding, we are also exploring other to the opening of the East Yorkshire section of the funding sources to continue and expand the work of Coast Path. Negotiations between Natural the Local Access Forum. England and landowners have been ongoing and the main change of which we are aware is that the route Between the publication of this report and the end of will go as far as Easington then cut across to the the year, our local authorities will be going through Estuary. One of the big challenges, on safety the due processes of recruiting and appointing new grounds, was determining the route around the old members to the Forum. I would encourage anyone RAF Cowden bombing range but this hopefully seems interested to please contact the Secretariat for more to have now been resolved. information about joining us.

Before too long we hope to have access to figures for Our annual report also includes progress updates those sections of the Coast Path already open, showing from both our local authorities relating to work the cost/benefit and spend per head in the local and undertaken in the past year to improve rights of rural communities, which should indicate the long term way and public access. It promises to be another financial benefits that our coastal areas can expect. interesting year ahead, especially as Hull will become the UK City of Culture in 2017. Everyone can benefit Our members continue to attend a broad spectrum of from free access to outdoor recreation and we hope meetings relevant to the Forum’s statutory advisory throughout the next year, working with both Hull role on access. These include external partnerships City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to relating to transport, waterways, culture, public health continue to improve, enhance and enlarge all areas of and rural issues, as well as management groups for the this work. Way and the Trans Pennine Trail. Hazel Armstrong As you will see in this report, the Forum has Chair responded to a good number of consultations in The East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull the last year, both local and national, and we shall Joint Local Access Forum continue to keep a keen eye on events which affect May 2016 items within our statutory remit. In a time of reduced

2 Membership of the Joint Local Access Forum

The Forum is constituted to provide a balance of views representing: • Different recreational user interests • Landowners and land managers • Other relevant interests The Forum consists of 14 members, including two Councillor representatives from East Riding of Yorkshire Council and .

Name Interests Represented

Hazel Armstrong (Chair) Equestrianism, Social Inclusion and Health

Stephen Richardson (Vice Chair) Country Sports, Conservation and Business

Peter Ayling Walking and Conservation

Michael Butler Rural Business and Conservation

John Gatenby Conservation and Farming

John Nicholson Waterways, Transport, Walking and Cycling

Rosemary Stanley Walking and Conservation

Brian Witty Cycling and Sustainable Transport

Michael Benson Cycling and Canoeing

Gordon Hawcroft Farming, Rural Tourism and Conservation

John Jessop Walking, Horse Riding, Waterways and Social Inclusion

Stephen King Walking and Rural Business

Councillor Terry Geraghty (Hull City Council) Elected Member Representative

Councillor Arthur Hodgson (East Riding of Yorkshire Council) Elected Member Representative

Forum Meetings Four formal public meetings of the Local Access Forum were held during the year:

Number of Number of Number of invited Date Venue forum members members of public officers/speakers attending in attendance attending

17 June 2015 - AGM Hall, 12 4 9

16 September 2015 Council Chambers, 6 2 6

16 December 2015 , 12 3 11

16 March 2016 Worklink, Cottingham 10 9 7

3 Review of the JLAF Operating Year 2015-16

Objective Activities Undertaken and Advice Provided

Green Infrastructure – provide • JLAF members continued to monitor the management of green lanes and to work closely with East Riding strategic advice on the of Yorkshire Council in this challenging area. The JLAF recommended additional management measures planning and management which were supported and undertaken by the Council during the year. of key recreational green • JLAF provided advice on the Hull Local Plan Preferred Options Paper, and the Secretariat attended a infrastructure assets in the East Hull Local Plan Forum (November 2015). Advice included stronger reference to the ROWIP and network Riding and Hull: connectivity, and better linkages between walking/cycling, health and culture. • Management of the extensive • JLAF supported ongoing work relating to the England Coast Path. Advice was provided to Natural England ‘green lane’ network (East Riding) at a stakeholder briefing in January 2016 and at the September and March JLAF meetings. • Development of the Hull Local • JLAF members contributed to Yorkshire Wolds Ways Partnership meetings during the year. Plan • JLAF members joined the Trans Pennine Trail Eastern Management Group in the past year. • Development of the England • JLAF attended the opening of the new Alexandra Dock public right of way (May 2015) having previously Coast Path provided access advice on the proposals. • Management of the Yorkshire • JLAF members gave advice and support for proposals to widen the footpath and enable shared cycle Wolds Way National Trail access adjacent to the B1230 road across Beverley Westwood (September 2015). • Management of the Trans • JLAF members attended the Completion Visit of the Albert Dock Flood Defence Scheme (December 2015) Pennine Trail having previously provided access advice for the proposals.

Continue to strengthen and • JLAF contributed to the East Riding Public Health ‘Health and Well-being Strategy’ consultation, and to develop links with: the developing ‘Strategy to Tackle Obesity (2016-2020)’. The Secretariat attended two East Riding • Health and Wellbeing Boards/ Healthy Weight Strategy Steering Group meetings in the past year. Public Health. • Two meetings were held between JLAF and Humber Nature Partnership representatives to strengthen • Hull and East Yorkshire Local linkages, share information and discuss common issues. Nature Partnerships (LNPs). • JLAF members continued to promote the benefits of responsible access and partnership working, • Local Enterprise Partnerships including ongoing dialogue with landowner organisations (NFU/CLA). (LEPs). • JLAF member Gordon Hawcroft had an access article published in a national farming magazine, and • Farmers and landowners a local farmer attended the June 2015 JLAF meeting to discuss permissive access. • Key Local Partnerships • JLAF members provided advice to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to help develop a guidance leaflet for farmers relating to cross-field footpaths. • JLAF members attended meetings of the Leader Local Action Group and the Rural, Cultural, Transport and Waterways Partnerships in the East Riding. • There was no engagement with LEPs in the past year, other than forwarding copies of the JLAF’s annual report. This is an area of future development. Respond to important local • JLAF members attended a site visit to Ponds Local Nature Reserve (September 2015) to and national consultations inform advice on a new management plan. JLAF advice was included in the draft plan. relevant to access and rights • Ongoing JLAF advice on definitive map modification order consultations in the East Riding of Yorkshire of way and Hull was provided – twelve consultations in 2015-16. • JLAF provided advice to First TransPennine on the Hull-Brough- Rail Station Travel Plan (September 2015). JLAF advice was included in the updated plan (improvements for travellers with mobility and hearing difficulties, better links/promotion of the Trans Pennine Trail). • JLAF provided advice on an interim consultation relating to the England Springs Rail crossing, supporting in principle an improved means of crossing for bridleway users (October 2015).

Help to promote local • ROWIP updates from both authorities were included in the previous JLAF annual report. authority progress against the • The annual report was circulated (hard and electronic copy) to a wide range of external and internal Hull City Council and East contacts, including Natural England and the Yorkshire & Humber Regional Access Forum in the past year. Riding of Yorkshire Council • A display promoted the JLAF, ROWIP and the value of countryside access at a launch event for the East Rights of Way Improvement Yorkshire Local Food Network 2015 Guide (April 2015). Plans (ROWIPs) • There was a JLAF display at the Show (July 2015), an annual event attended by over 20,000 visitors. • Progress updates from both authorities were provided at quarterly JLAF meetings, held in public during the year.

Continue to actively • The Chair and Vice Chair attended a Regional Access Forum meeting (September 2015). participate in regional and • East Riding of Yorkshire Council hosted the March 2016 Regional Access Forum meeting, with the national LAF activities Chair and Secretariat Officer attending. Issues discussed included the loss of permissive access, fundraising by non-profit making ‘friends’ groups, access over rail crossings. • JLAF member John Nicholson attended the Local Access Forum National Conference (Leeds, March 2016). Workshops attended were green lanes and walking partnerships. • JLAF responded to the national Local Access Forum Survey (2015). • JLAF completed the Natural England Annual Review Form, and three examples of JLAF work (green lanes, verges sub-group and engagement with landowners & other organisations) were included in the National LAF Annual Report (2014-15).

4 Objectives for 2016-17 The Local Access Forum has set the following broad objectives for the next twelve month period: • Green Infrastructure Programme – Provide strategic advice on the planning and management of key recreational green infrastructure assets in the East Riding and Hull, including: o England Coast Path, National Trail, Trans Pennine Trail, Local Nature Reserves, Green Lanes and Rail Trails o Hull Local Plan and other strategic planning documents

• Continue to develop and strengthen links with Health and Wellbeing Boards/Public Health, Local Nature Partnerships, Local Enterprise Partnerships • Respond to local and national consultation documents on important access and rights of way matters, including: o Review of countryside access customer service standards (East Riding) o Review of ‘Walking the Riding’ and other local web-based access information • Research opportunities for external funding and new delivery models to facilitate local access improvements • Help promote progress against the Kingston upon Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire ROWIPs • Continue to support and actively participate in regional and national LAF activities

The Forum remains committed to working closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Hull City Council, and providing constructive advice to both councils and other section 94(4) bodies.

Invited Officers and Observers Members of the Forum would like to thank the following officers for their regular attendance at Forum meetings and for their ongoing support and advice: • Allan Davidson – Sustainable Travel Officer, Hull City Council • Mark Jessop – Principal Transport Policy Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Gordon Grimley – Engineer (Definitive Map Team), East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Patrick Wharam – Countryside Access Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council The following officers and external contacts also provided reports, updates or information to the Forum during the year, and their help and assistance is appreciated: • Richard Alderson – Principal Engineer (Strategic Asset Management), East Riding of Yorkshire Council • John Harland – Service Manager Highway Maintenance, East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Philip Robinson – Lead Adviser People and Partnerships Team (North and Midlands), Natural England • Debbie Wesselby – Senior Legal Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Helen Wright – Rural Policy and Partnerships Manager, East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Debbie Smedley – Assistant Engineer (Definitive Map), East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Mark Drydale – Assistant Engineer (Definitive Map), East Riding of Yorkshire Council • Andrew Best – Senior Adviser Coastal Access, Natural England • Andrew Chudley – Countryside Access Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council • John Coleman – Local Farmer • Tony Corrigan – East Yorkshire and Derwent Area Ramblers, Pocklington Group Footpath Officer • Phil Gilbank – Local Historian • Alan Jones – Conservation Officer, Humber Nature Partnership • Joel Stockton – Coastal Opportunities Gateway Officer, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

Forum Secretariat East Riding of Yorkshire Council provides the Secretariat to the Forum. Elizabeth Russell (Committee Manager), Steve Howdle (Rural Development Officer) and Helen Reynolds (Rural Officer) are thanked for their support during the year.

5 East Riding of Yorkshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) (2008 - 2018) – Progress Update

Education and Promotion Route Maintenance and Improvement

The Countryside Access Team started a two year programme Random sample surveys from 2015/16 show that approximately to revamp the ’Walking the Riding’ website using volunteers. All 62% of the PROW network is open and available to use. The routes will be checked, maps amended, new photographs added Countryside Access Team recognises the need to do more to try and additional routes will also be added when they are advised by and achieve the target set of 75%. All PROW officers are now using community groups or walking clubs. the mobile version of ‘Confirm’, the defect management system, and this results in improved customer service, more efficient use of A new leaflet aimed at encouraging farmers and landowners to officer time, and better performance management. be more proactive looking after routes that cross fields has been produced with support and input from the Joint Local Access The Council’s new framework arrangements for summer grass Forum. cutting, which have run for two years, have proved to be a success with a reduction in complaints regarding overgrown paths. Network Connectivity The PROW team remains ready to support improvement schemes The public rights of way network was increased by 156 metres in that can be justified, especially where there is external grant aid the past year. that can be added to existing maintenance budgets, and where there is strong community interest in securing a well maintained The addition of a section of bridleway along the South network. Rail Trail completed the full length of 9.8 Km from the Hull City boundary to (see image below). This was previously Improvement examples in the last year include the drainage and recorded as a public footpath with permissive use by horse riders surfacing of the disused railway line at / Etton. and cyclists and has now been added to the Definite Map as See before and after images below: bridleway. Work is ongoing on the addition of the section from Keyingham to and will hopefully be completed this year.

Definitive Map and Statement

Digital PROW records have continued to be updated as set out in The upgrading in of a 72m section of footpath to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. bridleway has created a 1 km bridleway link between the Beverley In the past year, two Legal Event Orders were made to allow Relief Road () and Long Lane south of Beverley legal changes to be shown on the Definitive Map where footpaths Minster which is a positive improvement. were discovered that had been created in Orders some years ago. The Council has worked pro-actively, and will continue to do Two new certified applications were made under Schedule 14 of so, to enhance the rights of way network as opportunities arise the Wildlife and Countryside Act. In a Modification as part of the planning process. Unfortunately, in the current Order, made as a result of application under Schedule 14, was financial climate, several proposed developments have been confirmed with modifications after a Public Hearing. abandoned but with the recent upturn in house building there Nine Modification Orders have been confirmed to resolve may be opportunities to negotiate additions to the network in the anomalies, such as mapping errors, recording more accurately on forthcoming year. the statement the specific widths created in Public Path Diversion The Council will seek to provide off road links to the highway, and Orders where they had been omitted from the Definitive develop the use of wide highway verges to link routes, although no Statement and extinguishment by . such opportunities arose in the last year.

Accessibility The Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail has become the first national trail to be ‘stile free’. All stiles have been replaced with gaps or gates, increasing accessibility on the Trail. Random sample surveys undertaken by the Countryside Access Team in 2015/16 show that 84% of routes on the whole public rights of way network are stile free. The Council is working towards a stile free network by 2020, but achieving that target is likely to prove quite challenging. Nevertheless, each year more and more are replaced and it is estimated that only approximately 300 are still in situ across the whole East Riding network. Image of North Cave footpath 41

6 Hull City Council Rights of Way Improvement Plan (2009-2019) – Progress Update

Improve accessibility through improved surfaces and More interpretation on selected routes safer crossings Improved interpretation will be provided on one identified path The diversion of PROW No.22 around Alexandra Dock to make each year, and information is currently being installed on the route way for the Siemens Wind Turbine Factory was opened in May around Alexandra Dock. 2015, with the installation of waymarking completed shortly prior to the production of this report. Flood defence work to Council website and publications utilised more effectively protect the city from tidal surges, similar to the one experienced The inclusion of existing PROW within the ‘Walking the Riding’ in December 2013 has resulted in a significant improvement to website has been undertaken to encourage better cross boundary PRoW No. 28 which reopened in December 2015. access. A new mobile phone application - walkit.com/hull - which launched in the Spring of 2015 is proving popular, however further Ensure public rights of way are clear of obstruction and promotion is required. Events on the PROW network are actively well-maintained promoted through social media including Facebook and Twitter. The City Council’s Highways Network Management team currently conducts an annual inspection regime. Most routes were inspected Improve awareness of public rights of way through in 2015 and cleared where required with effective use made of production of map(s) volunteer groups to ground clear, litter pick and repair paths, Local travel maps (East, North and West), along with an updated including the Community Payback Team supervised by Hull Cycle Map showing sustainable travel modes including Probation Service (which has delivered in excess of 1600 man PROWs, which were published in 2014, have proved popular and hours on various areas in Hull including some work on PROWs). are still available. The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) carried out work on routes 1, 2, 8, 19 & 26 in the last year, using 14 volunteers and contributing Improve connectivity within the network. 448 hours. The City Council has worked closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council regarding plans to upgrade disused railway lines to link Ensure public rights of way are correctly signposted into the City (see South Holderness Rail Trail above). A previous inspection (2012) identified all signs, poles, wording and condition. A full signing schedule was prepared and mapped, and Review of Definitive Map and Statement monitoring is ongoing. It is intended that resources will be allocated to a regular working group to help review the definitive map, although there has been Promote benefits of public rights of way no progress in the last year. Local rights of way are displayed on the City Council’s web site Clearly identified processes regarding implementing and under the GIS mapping facility on the home/ front page and modifying public rights of way East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s ‘Walking the Riding’ website. The City Council continues to work with NHS Hull, Sports It is intended to produce a draft ‘easy read’ guide/leaflet in the Development, Ramblers, Living Streets, Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) future - the final version will be uploaded onto the City Council’s and other organisations to better promote local walks and PROW. website when resources become available.

Scale Lane Bridge Alexandra Dock PROW No. 22 Voluntary ground clearance work

7 East Riding of Yorkshire and Kingston upon Hull Joint Local Access Forum

The Local Access Forum is a statutory advisory body, independent of but administered by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in partnership with Hull City Council. The Forum meets on a quarterly basis and consists of unpaid volunteers representing a range of countryside and access interests. Elected Member representatives from both Councils also sit on the Forum.

Local Access Forums were established under section 94 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 and operate in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007.

The Forum has the statutory authority to provide advice to appropriate ‘section 94(4) bodies’, including East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council and relevant central government departments and agencies, in the following areas of interest: • Improvement of public access to land in the area (whether on foot or by horse, cycle, canoe, mechanically propelled vehicle or any other lawful means) for the purposes of open-air recreation and the enjoyment of the area. • Public access to land in the area for any other lawful purpose, whether on foot, horse, cycle, canoe or by any means other than by mechanically propelled vehicle. • Public access to land in the area by means of a mechanically propelled vehicle for any lawful purpose, but only insofar as the access relates to byways open to all traffic (BOAT). Section 94(4) bodies are statutorily required ‘to have regard, in carrying out their functions, to any relevant advice given to them’ by Local Access Forums. Quarterly meetings of the Local Access Forum, and the Annual General Meeting, are held in public and minutes of the meetings are available online or by request from the Secretariat.

Useful links Photography credits www.hullcc.gov.uk East Riding of Yorkshire Council www.naturalengland.org.uk Hull City Council walkingtheriding.eastriding.gov.uk Ride Yorkshire www.visithullandeastyorkshire.com Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY)

This report is also available in electronic format. For further information please contact: East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Rural Policy & Partnerships Team, County Hall, Beverley HU17 9BA Tel: (01482) 391691 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.eastriding.gov.uk

East Riding of Yorkshire Council will, on request, provide this document in Braille, audio or Large Print Format. If English is not your first language, please telephone (01482) 393939.