Mtg 55 - Agenda
AGENDA: Tuesday 17 March 2015
VENUE:
Empire Room, Royal Victoria Country Park - directions overleaf
10:00
MEETING COMMENCES (Tea/Coffee available from 09:45)
1.
Apologies, minutes of previous meeting
Admin
2.
10.05
3.
10.15
Matters arising
Information
10 mins
Providing Access to Hampshire’s Heritage (PATHH)
Update on progress and opportunity to agree the next steps.
Information/
Decision
15 mins
4.
10.30
Countryside Access Plan review
Opportunity to consider how the Forum would like to respond to the
consultation on the revised document.
Information/
Discussion
45 mins
5.
11.15
6.
11.25
Forum Officer’s report
Information
10 mins
Access and agri-environment schemes
Harold Makant (Natural England) to provide an overview of recent
changes to schemes and implications for access.
Information/
Discussion
30 mins
7.
11.55
Updates and reports from other LAFs
a) New Forest LAF; b) South Downs LAF; c) SELAF Chairs
meeting; d) North Wessex Downs AONB; e) Other
Information
15 mins
12.15
LUNCH
8.
13.00
CLOSED SESSION FOR FORUM MEMBERS ONLY
3-5 year forward plan
Workshop session to look at the priorities for the Forum for the
coming years.
14.30
FINISH
5 mins
45 mins
Workshop
Contact: Amanda Hull; 01962 847165; [email protected]
90 mins
Directions: Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton, SO31 5DQ
The meeting will be in the Empire Room – this is in the main park building (where the Café is).
Road - Follow the brown tourist signs from junction 8 off the M27 or A27. Follow the entrance road,
which goes past the gate house, along the waterfront, then veers left towards the main park
building. The nearest car park (Tall Pines) is approximately 50 yards to the left of the building.
Rail - Netley Station is on the main Southampton to Portsmouth line. The back entrance to the
park is a 5-10 minute walk from the station. Follow the signs outside the station car park.
Bus - No. 16 goes to Netley Village from Southampton. From the village, follow the brown tourist
road signs into the park via the main entrance (First Bus - 023 8022 4854).
Red Rocket A from Eastleigh or Hamble stops in Netley Village (Solent Blue Line - 023 8061
8233).
Royal Victoria
Country Park
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM
Meeting:
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Agenda item 2:
Matters arising
Actions of the Hampshire Countryside Access Forum meeting, 4 December 2014
Item
Matters arising
– List of
Streets
Action
Alan Marlow and Sue Coles to draft and
circulate for agreement a letter to
Highways requesting that they merge the layers
for online mapping.
Status
Complete – letter agreed by all
February 2015 and sent.
HCAF
housekeeping
Forum Officer to arrange for all Forum
Members to be signed up to Huddle.
Huddle information circulated.
Members wishing to have
access to the system are to
send confirmation to Amanda
that they accept the terms and
conditions.
Complete – updates will be
circulated when available.
Complete – Panel meeting
held in January 2015.
Complete – updated sheet
circulated January 2015.
AOB
Forum Officer to email list of adjacent LAFs and
meeting dates to members.
Forum Officer to ensure SGS Panel members
are informed of panel meeting.
Forum Officer to update contact sheet and
resend to members.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM
Meeting:
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Agenda item 4:
Countryside Access Plan (CAP) review
Draft Countryside Access Plan for 2015-2025 available for comment
As members will be aware, the County Council is reviewing and updating the Countryside Access
Plan and the Forum has already provided valuable input into the development of the draft
document. This has received Councillor approval and the draft plan for 2015-2025 is now available
to all for comment.
A copy of the draft document is provided in Annex 1. The background documents, including the
outcome and analysis of the surveys can be viewed on the website: www.hants.gov.uk/accessplans. The deadline for comments is 31 March 2015.
Members had been asked to read the draft Plan and if they had any specific comments to submit
these before the meeting. Comments received are provided in Annex 2.
The Forum is asked to consider the comments made by others and to come to the meeting
prepared to discuss and agree the basis of the Forum response.
Sarah Manchester (Countryside Access Team Leader, Hampshire County Council) will also be
available at the meeting to describe the plan and answer questions.
Hampshire Countryside Access Plan 2015-2025
DRAFT
Policies and actions to improve countryside access in Hampshire
Contents:
Introduction
1
Preparing the Plan
1
Assessment of Needs
2
The officer perspective
3
Rationale and Overview
4
Policy Area: Developing a strategic approach to network management
5
Policy Area: Working with other organisations and with volunteers
7
Policy Area: Listening, Informing, Educating
9
Relationship between county-wide issues and policy areas
11
Appendices (published separately):
Legal background
Areas of Influence
Assessment of Needs
Record of Local Access Forum and HALC input
Stakeholder survey results
Public survey results
For a copy of this publication in another language or format (eg large print or audio) please contact
Hantsdirect on 0845 603 5636
0
Introduction
Hampshire’s countryside access network is an extensive and diverse resource, highly valued by
residents and visitors alike. It provides not only a transport network but enriches our quality of life,
contributing to good physical and mental health, community cohesion and a strong rural economy.
The term “countryside access” describes the largely off-road, free-to-use network of paths and open
spaces which together provide the infrastructure that connects people with the natural environment.
It is used both for utility journeys (travelling from place to place) and for leisure/recreation, and
comprises a mixture of statutory, permissive and informal access. The 2,800 miles (4,200 km) of
Hampshire’s public rights of way network (footpaths, bridleways and byways) includes both urban
and rural paths and forms the backbone of the countryside access network.
During 2012-13, in an average week 41% of adults in England visited the natural environment; in
over a quarter of these visits people spent money during their visit, and in Hampshire this equated to
£580 million1. The countryside access network provides a free at the point of use resource close to
where people live. Studies have shown an association between walking and a reduction in deaths
from all causes, ranging from 19–30% depending on the frequency and length of walking activities; a
large study in Copenhagen similarly showed that those who did not cycle regularly experienced a
39% higher mortality rate than those who did2. The recommended physical activity levels of 30
minutes, 5 times a week has been shown to release endorphins, reduce blood pressure, improve
heart health and halve the risk of Alzheimer’s3.
Preparing the Plan
Hampshire County Council recognises the importance of caring for and improving the countryside
access network and published its first Countryside Access Plan in 2008. A thoroughly-researched
document, it provided a very sound body of evidence on the issues and needs, enabling the
Countryside Service to direct resources to best effect and leading to a plethora of partnership
working.
The Plan has now been updated to respond to changes in people’s experiences and expectations
and to changes in context including national policy and the economic climate. A new assessment of
needs was carried out as described below and this research and officers’ experience of
implementing the original plan have shaped the new Plan. Resources available to the County
Council are now more limited and are unlikely to increase significantly during the life of this Plan.
There is therefore a need to target resources more efficiently and implementation of this Countryside
Access Plan will do so, focussing them where they are needed most for the coming decade.
This document and its predecessor fulfil the requirement to publish and review a “Rights of Way
Improvement Plan”, introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. As the title
‘Countryside Access Plan’ implies, Hampshire has chosen to take a wider approach than solely
addressing rights of way.
This document should be read in conjunction with the existing seven area plans from 2008,
which are rich in detail and provide the full background on which this plan is based.
1
Natural England’s ‘Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment’ survey
‘Guidance on the economic appraisal of health effects related to walking and cycling’ World Health Org (2007)
3
‘The benefits of regular walking for health, well
2
1
Assessment of Needs
The 2008 Countryside Access Plan was based on extensive engagement with a wide range of
stakeholders over several years, with an emphasis on open questions seeking qualitative input
which was then tested through surveys. In reviewing the plan, these findings were re-checked in
both quantitative and qualitative ways to see if they are still relevant today - and identification of new
issues was invited. The assessment of needs took place between June and October 2014 and
comprised the following:
•
•
•
•
Workshops were held with the three Local Access Forums (LAFs) who together cover
Hampshire, to explore the issues and what they would like to see in a revised Countryside
Access Plan. The Forums were asked to think freely about what the new plan should say.
A survey of stakeholders was sent direct to organisations that use, manage or have an
influence on the countryside access network, including all those required by legislation. This
asked some detailed questions about both countywide and local issues, provision for
different user types and different land types and awareness of funding and advice available.
A good level of detail was received from a wide range of organisations.
A survey of members of the public was advertised through a press release, social media, via
user groups and made available at Country Parks and some local shows. A large volume of
responses was received and over a third of people made detailed comments as well as
answering the multiple-choice questions, which enabled a fuller understanding in the
analysis. This survey was effective in reaching beyond the organisations that we would
normally speak to, since two-thirds of respondents were not members of user or other
interest groups.
Feedback from Parish and Town Councils at a conference provided by the Countryside
Service in June 2014. Parish and Town Councils also responded to the stakeholder survey
described above.
The findings from each of the above are given in more detail in the Appendix ‘Assessment of
Needs’, available on the Countryside Access Plan website.
The results were remarkably consistent across all sources, and have driven the content and
structure of this revised plan:
The eight county-wide issues identified in the 2008 plan are still the most relevant issues
today:
o Condition of the rights of way network
o Getting to the countryside from urban areas
o Using roads as part of the access network
o Connectivity of routes
o Impacts on land management
o Information provision
o Meeting the needs of all users
o Joint working with other countryside interests
Two of the issues from the list above emerged strongly from all sources as carrying greater
priority. The issue seen almost universally as being of highest priority was ‘Maintaining and
improving the condition of the rights of way network’, conveying a clear message that
respondents would like the Countryside Service to concentrate on its ‘core’ work. The
second priority was ‘Improving connectivity of the network’; whilst overall satisfaction levels
are high and walkers are generally well catered for, all sources clearly stated a need for
2
more paths which can be used by cyclists and horse-riders and improved road connections
between them.
The research suggested that the issue “Meeting the needs of all users” be expanded to
incorporate initiatives promoting the awareness of the perspectives of other users,
particularly on shared use paths and on roads, and of the needs of landowners.
The removal of limitations such as stiles was welcomed as assisting those with mobility
difficulties including the elderly and people with pushchairs, and there was recognition that
this group will also benefit from greater provision for cyclists and horse-riders since there is
strong correlation in requirements for gradients, absence of steps, path widths and surfaces.
Government asked authorities reviewing their plans to assess the need for access to
woodland. In Hampshire, the research showed that there is no significantly greater need to
improve access in any of the major land types, including woodland.
Views on the adequacy of provision for motorised vehicle users were strongly polarised
across all sources, with many respondents seeing this use as inappropriate, some objecting
to devoting resources to provision, and a significant number of comments stating that motor
vehicle access is detrimental to path condition. However, for a minority this access is highly
valued and some users were willing to help maintain the resource themselves.
There is a clear need to continue to work in partnership, and partners and potential partners
strongly welcome this. An emphasis should therefore be placed on initiatives and specific
projects which do so effectively.
Although the seven area-based plans which together formed the original Plan had worked
well and many stakeholders felt that the status quo should continue, others saw a need for a
single, concise county-wide plan which could more easily integrate with other strategies.
The officer perspective
The Countryside Access Plan will direct and focus the work of the Countryside Service. The views
and ideas of staff members with experience of working on Hampshire’s countryside access network
over many years, and of implementing the original Plan, were sought. Staff members were keen to
see the following broad areas incorporated:
A more proactive, targeted response, concentrating on where the benefit is greatest
Support for other organisations and/or volunteers who wish to maintain or improve paths
More explicit links to new areas of policy such as health and well-being strategies
An emphasis on initiatives to improve confidence of users and accessibility e.g. good
signage and changing stiles to gates
Actions which are able to respond to changes in legislation and in available funding
Examples of more detailed suggestions were:
A response to the growth in demand for cycling routes, particularly family-friendly trails
A recognition that circular routes from villages and urban centres are often the most
important to people and similarly that, for many people, long distance routes perhaps have
greater significance as a series of short sections which form part of circular routes
…and in terms of the structure and management of the revised Plan:
Working Groups were established for each of the seven areas prior to the 2008 plan,
comprising local users, landowners and organisations. These groups were pivotal in
3
providing information from a huge range of path users and a shared understanding of issues,
considerably enhanced officers’ contact with people ‘on the ground’ and subsequently
provided a consultative group for delivering the plan. The legacy of these groups will not be
lost but in future it may be more effective and time-efficient to work with project-specific
groups as needed and through the Local Access Forums
The seven area plans which formed the last Plan describe and justify the issues completely,
and were the product of a thorough bottom-up approach appropriate for the first such
strategy. However, boundaries do not match those of major partners such as District
Councils and the wealth of information has meant that few can be familiar with it all. There is
now opportunity to form one succinct, county-wide plan, more able to integrate with and
influence other strategies and hence provide access to funding and shared projects. The
seven area plans contain a wealth of relevant information and so should remain for reference
Rationale and Overview
This second Countryside Access Plan for Hampshire builds on the first Plan, and describes how
rights of way and access to the countryside will be managed over the coming years. During the
research undertaken for the preparation of this Plan three distinct policy areas have emerged.
Between them, the policy areas include the eight issues that were originally identified as, and which
are still regarded as, the most important issues across the county. The table on page 11 shows how
the policy areas relate to the eight issues.
The primary focus of the Countryside Access Plan for 2015-2025 is to set out how these areas of
work will be addressed. The seven area plans published alongside the first county wide Plan are
retained, unchanged, for reference and to provide guidance on how the strategic policies may be
implemented at a more local level.
One important new aspect associated with managing and improving countryside access is the
increased need to develop the financial sustainability of the access network. In recognition of this
need, the Plan sets out an intention to seek new opportunities to make improvements to the network
to meet changing needs, in a way that provides most widespread benefit, and which ensures that
the maintenance costs of adding to the network are accounted for. This includes the need to interact
with the planning system, to work in partnership with others especially when seeking funding, and a
requirement to work flexibly in the support of volunteers and other groups. The potential to generate
income through partnerships with the private sector will also be considered. A knowledge and
appreciation of the strategic importance of the network will be essential in order to maximise the
potential for financial sustainability.
4
POLICY AREA: DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO NETWORK MANAGEMENT
Objective:
to focus existing and future resources on those routes which provide the
most benefit to residents, visitors and the local economy
Respondents to every element of the research clearly said that the top priority should be maintaining
and improving the condition of the countryside access network. There was also a strong demand for
improved connectivity for cyclists and horse-riders, whose available network is often disjointed; this
could include use of footpaths/ways, verges, quiet lanes and new paths. Such improvements will
benefit all users, including people with mobility difficulties and families.
In order to achieve both of these priorities, resources need to be focussed so that investment is
targeted where it will have the most benefit to most people.
The existing countryside access network includes rights of way, informal paths, cycleways,
permissive access and sections of road, pavement and verge. The Service will work with others to
identify a strategic, county-wide network within this which incorporates the key links between centres
of population and places of interest in Hampshire’s countryside, both at present and looking to meet
future needs.
Once these strategically important routes are defined, the Service will work with others in the County
Council, and will prioritise its own resources, to actively manage the routes so that people can be
confident of finding a useful network of easy to use, easy to follow paths.
In 2014/2015, for the first time, external funding accounted for over 50% of the total funding for
countryside access improvements in the county. Such funding is usually short-term, capital funding
specific to particular paths/areas, obtained through bids and often, but not always, becomes
available at little notice. The identification of strategically important routes will assist in securing
further funding for future improvements. It will form the basis of future discussions between the
Countryside Service and local planning authorities, organisations delivering strategies with similar
aims and those holding funds, proactively seeking opportunity to improve or add to the network. For
example, countryside access forms part of the green infrastructure and sustainable transport
elements required in order for new housing developments to obtain planning consent; there is
opportunity not just to ensure that these requirements are fulfilled but to proactively seek routes
which will add value to the network, and for which arrangements for on-going maintenance can be
agreed.
The benefits to both physical and mental health are increasingly recognised - studies have shown
that availability of access to natural environments results in increased rates of physical activity for all
age groups and particularly benefits those on lower incomes, and that contact with nature
measurably reduces physiological stress indicators, which can lead to reductions in blood pressure,
heart rate and stress hormones, with consequent reductions in health spending. The 2011 Natural
Environment White Paper “The Natural Choice” states that “From April 2013, Directors of Public
Health will be…ideally placed to influence local services, for example joining up activity on rights of
way, countryside access and green space management to improve public health by connecting
people with nature.”
Changes in legislation throughout the life of this Plan are likely to provide both opportunities and
challenges. New legislation expected in 2015, for example, will introduce both greater flexibility and
a set timetable in responding to requests to divert or otherwise alter the line or status of rights of
way. Similarly, proposals to set an end date for adding unrecorded historical rights of way to the
legal record are likely to bring a rush of applications. The Countryside Service must respond to new
5
legislation through appropriate changes to policy and working practices, which may require
additional resources. Where possible it will seek to do so in a way which gives precedence to
strategically important routes.
Policy Area: Developing a strategic approach to network management
Action
Timescale
Cost
Staff
(rough
scale,
£ - £££)
(rough
scale,
S - SSS)
Produce mapping which identifies strategically important
routes following consultation with key stakeholders; explain
and promote the concept of this network to partners.
£
S
Audit the strategically important routes and develop a
strategy to proactively manage them, incorporating path
maintenance, improvements to surface/drainage/structures,
signage and promotion of through-routes and creation of
new links. Seek to remove structures which limit use by
people with mobility difficulties.
£
S
Revise internal policies to ensure that strategically
important routes have a high priority, including for
maintenance, resolving issues and changes to the
Definitive Map.
S
Maximise the use of external funding opportunities to
develop strategically important routes. Forge connections
with strategically important partners including Local
Economic Partnerships, planning authorities and the Health
and Wellbeing Board, and form links both internally and
externally where joint objectives can be met more efficiently
through working together. Develop a suite of costed
schemes to call on when responding to short-term funding
opportunities.
Deliver improvements to strategically important routes as
opportunities arise, whether through funding availability,
landowner assistance or proactive interaction with the
planning system.
SS
£££
SSS
Examine, and update where appropriate, existing policies
and working practices, and develop new policies and
practices, to ensure the Service operates efficiently and
responsively. To include a review of the policy on the
Management of Vehicles in the Countryside.
SS
Identify changes required following new legislation and
update policies and processes as appropriate, giving
precedence to strategically important routes where
possible.
SS
6
POLICY AREA: WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND WITH VOLUNTEERS
Objective: to enable a greater response to local needs through working with others
Partnership working has become an increasingly important and effective way of meeting local
needs, and actions in all three policy areas rely on working with others. Some of these will be
larger-scale, capital projects to develop strategically important routes, working with larger and
statutory organisations such as the National Park Authorities and District Councils. Many others are
relatively small-scale, low-cost projects, resolving issues on paths which are unlikely to form part of
the Strategic Network but are important in serving the needs of local communities. It is the latter to
which this policy area relates, often led by local organisations and groups whose members give their
time voluntarily.
Recent initiatives have included working with Ramblers to improve waymarking, with Parish and
Town Councils on path surfacing, replacing stiles with gates and promotion of the local network, and
with landowners to improve links. Accessibility of the network for all users has improved as a result
of these projects. In the 2012/13 financial year, the time spent by volunteers working with the
Countryside Service to improve paths equated to an additional 6 full-time rangers on the ground (to
put this in context, the Service currently employs 8 rangers for the countryside access network).
Research for this document showed an almost universal willingness from organisations and
volunteers to continue working with Hampshire’s Countryside Service and wide awareness of the
grants and advice available. The Service values this input highly and welcomes this clear
expression of support.
The Countryside Service is aware that organisations and individuals are willing to do even more if
guidance were available, and so it will further develop the way it works with and supports volunteers,
local user groups and organisations, providing appropriate and accessible grants, advice and
toolkits.
In particular, the Countryside Service will seek to build on good established relationships with Parish
and Town Councils to enable them to tackle local issues directly where they are willing to do so,
through regular liaison, toolkits and funding. The Service recognises in particular the need for good
communication given the inevitably high turnover of Parish/Town clerks.
7
Policy Area: Working with other organisations and with volunteers
Action
Timescale
Cost
Staff
(rough
scale,
£ - £££)
(rough
scale,
S - SSS)
Provide and promote appropriate and accessible grants,
advice and toolkits enabling partnership solutions to local
issues. Continue to develop existing initiatives such as
Stiles to Gates, the Small Grants Scheme and the
Waymarking scheme, and seek to expand this where
appropriate.
££
SS
Co-ordinate and integrate the contribution of volunteers
in the day-to-day work of the Countryside Service; enable
groups to work independently where appropriate.
£
S
Where there is a community or group who wish to do so,
enable and support them to maintain specific routes/parts
of the network in an appropriate manner.
S
Support Parish and Town Councils through events,
regular liaison with officers, promotion and review of the
Parish Reference Guide, and the construction of
appropriate toolkits. Seek involvement in new clerk
training. Offer assistance to Parishes in setting work
programmes for their lengthsmen or contractors.
£
SS
Explore the potential for further Parish & Town Council
involvement in network management and improvement,
e.g. extending the Lengthsman scheme, wardening, the
formation of voluntary Parish working groups, path
problem report protocols and providing information for
‘new homeowner’ packs.
£
SS
8
POLICY AREA: LISTENING, INFORMING, EDUCATING
Objective:
to ensure that information on finding paths and using them responsibly, and on
managing public access, is widely available and easily understood
This is a broad policy area and encompasses many of the softer measures which the research
identified as being important to countryside access users and landowners as well as responses to
opportunities and challenges brought by changes in technology and the wider world. Throughout,
approaches to meeting these needs have been balanced against the clear message from the
research that the bulk of resources should be devoted to the core work of maintaining and improving
the network.
Lack of confidence in using the network can be a major barrier to use; people can be unsure how to
find and identify paths, what they will be like and how to use them.
Accurate signage provides certainty for both users and landowners on the location of rights of way,
encouraging use and reducing the likelihood of paths being unintentionally blocked or diverted by
landowners. Missing or inaccurate signage is by far the most common reason for rights of way
failing the annual ‘Ease of use’ survey, and is a relatively simple issue to put right. A short term
investment will therefore be made to address reported signage issues, followed by a longer term
approach through volunteer assistance, if possible.
Residents and visitors also want ideas about where to go and information on what they will find
when they get there. The Countryside Service has a long tradition of providing printed leaflets, but
there is growing potential to work with organisations who share a common interest in promoting
countryside access and may have more marketing expertise to convey this material to a wider
market. Alongside this, the Countryside Service will continue to provide freely available, online
maps of rights of way and promoted routes.
The 2008 Countryside Access Plan prompted investment in a digital mapping system, providing
easy to use, scrollable online mapping for the public and the ability for officers to log and manage
issues on an ‘offline’ version. The research showed that people wanted to see online if issues with
paths had been reported and if so when they may be resolved; the mapping system will be further
developed to provide this information, which will also reduce the officer time required in responding
to individual requests.
Improving understanding of how to find and use the countryside access network among children is
desirable for future sustainable and responsible countryside access, although challenging to achieve
given schools’ curriculum and budget pressures. The Service will explore possibilities for working
through existing channels such as school visits to Country Parks, the Trailblazer programme and
supporting Parish and Town Councils who are interested in doing so. It will also investigate the
potential for developing a bespoke module or activity, with links to the National Curriculum, which
introduces countryside access to children.
Whilst recorded incidents of conflict on paths are low, the research showed that some users may
inadvertently affect the enjoyment of others and there was a desire for greater understanding of
each other’s perspectives. For example, horses can be spooked by cyclists that they haven’t heard
approaching, walkers taking up the width of a path can block others, and dog owners may not
realise the effect on the landowner when a dog runs into crops or interacts with livestock. The
Countryside Service will work with groups such as the Local Access Forums to develop a joint
approach to increasing understanding.
9
Finally, given increasing pressure on resources, the Countryside Service needs to develop greater
understanding of the effectiveness of the actions in this Plan. New mechanisms will be designed to
monitor customer satisfaction and achievements against the Countryside Access Plan objectives.
Policy Area: Listening, Informing, Educating
Action
Deliver a programme of short-term signage improvements,
followed by a longer-term volunteer initiative.
Timescale
Cost
Staff
(rough
scale,
£ - £££)
(rough
scale,
S - SSS)
£
S
Review the approach to promotion of routes – explore the
potential for partnerships with other organisations, particularly
those that have more expertise and experience in this field.
S
Revise the Countryside Access web-pages to ensure that
information is easy to find, up-to-date and accurate. Develop
the use of social media to promote a wider awareness and to
provide appropriate, timely updates.
SS
Develop online mapping to show path issues which have
been reported and progress in resolving them.
£
S
Seek to work with volunteers to map infrastructure such as
gates, stiles, steps and bridges, both for public information
and to assist in asset and network management;
commencing with the strategically important routes.
£
S
Explore possibilities for improving understanding among
children of how to find and use the countryside access
network, working through existing channels such as school
visits to Country Parks, the Trailblazer programme and
supporting Parish and Town Councils who are interested in
doing so.
£
SS
Develop and make available to schools and other education
providers a modular lesson plan, with links to the National
Curriculum, about access to the countryside.
£
S
Work with groups such as the Local Access Forums to
increase understanding between different types of user and
increase understanding of landowner perspectives.
S
Collate and review existing customer satisfaction and
performance data. Develop mechanisms to enable annual
monitoring and reporting against the Countryside Access
Plan objectives.
S
10
Relationship between the county-wide issues and the policy areas
The research undertaken for this revision of the CAP showed that the eight county-wide issues
identified in the 2008 CAP were still relevant and correct, and that two of these (‘Condition of the
rights of way network’ and ‘Connectivity of routes’) are considered to be the most important and
should therefore be given a high priority. The table below shows how the eight originally identified
issues will be addressed within the three policy areas that form the structure of the revised CAP.
County-wide Issue
Associated Policy Areas
Example action or comment
Condition of the rights of way
network
(priority issue)
Developing a strategic approach
to network management
Audit the strategically important routes
and develop a strategy to proactively
manage them, incorporating path
maintenance, improvements to
surface/drainage/structures, signage
and promotion of through-routes and
creation of new links
Working with other organisations
and with volunteers
Provide and promote appropriate and
accessible grants, advice and toolkits
enabling partnership solutions to local
issues. Continue to develop existing
initiatives such as Stiles to Gates, the
Small Grants Scheme and the
Waymarking scheme, and seek to
expand this where appropriate.
Listening, Informing, Educating
Deliver a programme of short-term
signage improvements, followed by a
longer-term volunteer initiative.
Getting to the countryside from
urban areas
Developing a strategic approach
to network management
This policy area centres on identifying
and proactively managing strategically
important routes, incorporating ‘the key
links between centres of population and
places of interest’.
Using roads as part of the
access network
Developing a strategic approach
to network management
Deliver improvements to the
strategically important routes as
opportunities arise, whether through
funding availability, landowner
assistance or proactive interaction with
the planning system.
Connectivity of routes
(priority issue)
Developing a strategic approach
to network management
Use external funding opportunities to
realise improvements to, and
development of, the strategically
important routes.
Working with other organisations
and with volunteers
Provide and promote appropriate and
accessible grants, advice and toolkits
enabling partnership solutions to local
issues.
11
Impacts on land management
Listening, Informing, Educating
Work with groups such as the Local
Access Forums to increase
understanding between different types
of user and increase understanding of
landowner perspectives.
Information provision
Listening, Informing, Educating
Revise the Countryside Access webpages to ensure that information is
easy to find, up-to-date and accurate.
Develop the use of social media to
promote a wider awareness and to
provide appropriate, timely updates.
Meeting the needs of all users
Working with other organisations
and with volunteers
Provide and promote appropriate and
accessible grants, advice and toolkits
enabling partnership solutions to local
issues.
Listening, Informing, Educating
Work with groups such as the Local
Access Forums to increase
understanding between different types
of user and increase understanding of
landowner perspectives.
Developing a strategic approach
to network management
Use external funding opportunities to
realise improvements to, and
development of, strategically important
routes. Identify common aims with
partners’ strategies and explore
potential [joint] funding.
Listening, Informing, Educating
Work with groups such as the Local
Access Forums to increase
understanding between different types
of user and increase understanding of
landowner perspectives.
Joint working with other
countryside interests
www.hants.gov.uk/countryside [email protected] 0300 555 1391
12
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM
Meeting:
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Agenda item 5:
Forum Officer’s report
1. Small Grants Scheme Countryside Access
An additional application round was held in January 2015 to allocate the remaining funds for the
year. In total just over £47,700 was awarded to support 30 projects, attracting over £52,300 in
match funding. This included 24 projects for practical improvements to rights of way or other areas
offering public access, and six projects to promote countryside access (mapboards and leaflets). A
summary of all projects funded in 2014/15 is provided in Annex 1.
The Small Grants Scheme budget for 2015/16 has now been confirmed as £47,700. The closing
dates and proposed Panel meetings for the year will be circulated when available.
2. HCC update
Assert and Protect the Public Right
Background: Hampshire County Council (HCC), as Highway Authority, has a statutory duty to
assert and protect the right of the public to use and enjoy public rights of way. As part of this duty,
the County Council must prevent the obstruction of rights of way. An obstruction may include
buildings over part of a right of way, a barrier reducing the width of a right of way, unauthorised
diversions etc. Obstructions can broadly be grouped into “historic” (which includes map anomalies)
and those that are more “recent”. Hampshire has over 450 “historic” obstructions, and the backlog
of more recent cases is building.
For recent cases the approach has been to put HCC resources into addressing landowner
responsibilities e.g. cutting back side vegetation, replacing or mending structures etc. It is easier
than chasing/enforcing, but costly. Other issues are addressed through visiting or corresponding
with landowners. Enforcement is the end point, but there is no formal enforcement policy in place.
For historic cases, anomalies are dealt with by the same team that deals with Definitive Map
Modification Orders. The available resources do not allow the backlog to be proactively tackled;
anomalies are dealt with as and when an issue such as a property sale arises. Again, there is no
formal policy in place.
Status: Members of the Forum attended a joint sub-group meeting with members of the New
Forest and South Downs LAF’s to advise HCC on how this should be dealt with. The result has
been to draft a formal Enforcement Policy. The sub-group will be reconvened in April/May to look
at this draft Policy; it will then come to the full Forum at its June meeting.
New contact numbers for Hampshire County Council
HCC numbers are changing from 0845 to 0300. These are included in most call plans, are charged
at the same rate as 01 and 02 numbers from mobiles, or at the local rate. The number the public
should now use to report problems on Rights of Way is 0300 555 1391 (note the old 0845 number
will remain live for a period of time).
Walking and Cycling Strategy
In July last year the Forum submitted comments on a proposed Cycling Strategy for Hampshire.
HCC has since reconsidered the proposed nature of the Cycling Strategy and a report was taken
to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment on 20 January to agree an
appropriate way forward (see www.hants.gov.uk/councilmeetings).
To ensure it is in the best position to support locally developed initiatives, feed into regional and
national initiatives, and to take advantage of future funding opportunities, it has been agreed that
there is the need to consider walking alongside cycling as part of a wider approach by HCC to the
active travel agenda. A Walking Strategy and a Cycling Strategy will therefore be developed and
both will go to public consultation in spring 2015 for twelve weeks. It will therefore be possible to
discuss the strategies at the June meeting of the Forum.
The comments previously submitted by the Forum will still be taken in to account when writing the
new strategies, however as they will be high level documents, the content will be reduced
compared to the Cycling Strategy originally described to the Forum last year.
3. LAF update
South East LAF Conference – this has been booked for 19 May in London. Please contact
Amanda ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending or if you have any ideas for
agenda items, there are also slots available for LAF members to speak. The agenda will be
finalised and circulated in early April.
South East LAF Coordinator – funding for this role (and all regional coordinators) has been
withdrawn beyond 31 March 2015. LAFs are instead being encouraged to have greater contact
with Natural England Area Team contacts. See Annex 2 for more information.
National LAF Conference – this has been postponed until the autumn; awaiting further
information.
LAF News – the fifth edition of the Local Access Forum newsletter published by Natural England is
now available (www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-access-forum-newsletter). Any ideas for
articles to feature in this publication are welcomed.
4. National update
Coastal Access
As the completion date for the building of the Coastal Path has been brought forward to 2020 it is
anticipated that coastal LAFs will be contacted by Natural England (NE) sooner rather than later.
Monthly meetings are being held by the project board and additional NE staff have been put
towards implementing the requirements within the new timetable.
Deregulation Bill
The Bill is still in the House of Lords and they are still proposing and debating amendments. It will
then enter ‘ping pong’ where any amendments will be considered before Royal Assent. The final
date for Royal Assent of the Bill has been extended to 30th March.
The House of Lords did recently agree some relatively minor technical amendments to the Bill
(note there is still scope for these amendments to be removed when they are considered by the
House of Commons during ‘ping pong’). The net effects were:
to make paths created through a modification consent order maintainable at public expense
(amended from at the expense of the surveying authority)
allow for the use of written representations (as an alternative to a hearing or public inquiry)
in the order confirmation process for ‘right to apply’ diversion/extinguishment orders
to allow for severance of a ‘right to apply’ diversion/extinguishment order where only part of
the order is objected to
corrections in terminology to avoid confusion (i.e. use ‘part’ instead of ‘modification’
because in ROW parlance ‘modification’ has a specific meaning)
Two amendments were not moved as a consequence of Government putting on record: (i) an
undertaking to assess the effectiveness of the right to apply provisions and associated guidance
within two years; and (ii) clarification of certain points in relation to the proposed stakeholder
working group on motor vehicle use.
ITEM 5: ANNEX 1
SMALL GRANTS SCHEME PROJECTS FUNDED 2014/15
Applicant
Project Description
Landowner - Alton
Landowner – Alton
Binsted PC
Blackwater Valley
Countryside Trust
Brockenhurst PC
Chilbolton PC
Compton and
Shawford PC
East Meon PC
East Woodhay PC
Forestry
Commission
Groundwork South
Trust
Hampshire and IOW
Wildlife Trust
Hale PC
Hartley Wespall PC
Hart DC
Hyde PC
Long Sutton PC
Lymington and
Pennington PC
Monk Sherborne PC
Nether Wallop PC
Odiham PC
Preston Candover
and Nutley PC
Ropley PC
Rotherwick PC
Steep PC
Landowner - Stroud
Wootton St
Lawrence PC
Replacing three small kissing gates in poor condition with
three large mobility gates on Alton Footpath 37b.
Replacing two stiles with accessible gates on Alton
Footpath 33.
Production and installation of a mapboard showing
countryside access in the Parish.
Resurfacing of a permissive path at Batts Corner.
Resurfacing of Yateley Footpath 13, part of the promoted
Blackwater Valley Path.
Resurfacing of a path parallel to Burley Road, previously
narrow and uneven, to provide a stable and firm surface
for pedestrians and cyclists.
Production and installation of a mapboard showing
countryside access in the Parish.
Installation of a mapboard showing countryside access in
the Parish.
Resurfacing of 5-way byways to remove deep rutting
caused by motorbike use.
Replacing a stile with an accessible gate on Footpath 2.
Installation of a non slip surface to a boardwalk on
Footpath 9 to improve safety.
Creation of a path from the Meon Valley Trail to Upper
Copse providing access into the Forest of Bere.
Installation of a bridge to provide access to Staunton
Estate from local housing. Part of the Hermitage Stream
Project.
Replacing a collapsed culvert on a permissive path at
Bassetts Mead Country Park, Hook.
Replacing a small footbridge crossing Footpath 728 in
Bartley Heath, Hook.
Resurfacing of BOAT 15, which had suffered from water
damage to the surface.
Installation of a boardwalk on Footpath 2, to raise the path
above the ditch stream it crosses.
Resurfacing of Footpath 502, previously wet and boggy
during the winter months.
Reinstating Footpath 740, which had been eroded by the
river and recent storms.
Production of leaflets to compliment the recently produced
mapboard.
Resurfacing of Footpath 22, previously overgrown,
waterlogged and very muddy.
Replacing a stile with an accessible gate on Footpath 13.
Installation of a mapboard showing countryside access in
the Parish.
Resurfacing of Footpath 7, a well used link to the wider
network and a route to school.
Installation of a mapboard showing countryside access in
the Parish, including seven circular walks.
Replacing three stiles with gates on Footpath 11.
Resurfacing of Footpath 30, previously waterlogged for
many months of the year.
Replacing a stile with an accessible gate on Footpath 22a.
Replacing eight stiles with metal kissing gates on Stroud
Footpaths 704, 705 and 706.
Replacing a stile with an accessible gate on Footpath 4.
TOTAL (£)
Grant
Offered (£)
1,002.00
Total Project
Cost (£)
2,004.00
370.00
845.00
378.50
757.00
1,421.00
6,300.00
2,842.00
12,600.00
1,346.00
3,365.00
900.00
1,800.00
325.00
650.00
880.00
1,760.00
189.75
290.00
379.50
580.00
5,000.00
11,000.00
4,051.50
8,103.00
1,195.00
2,390.00
101.20
202.40
2,382.75
4,765.50
995.00
2,025.00
1,085.00
2,010.00
6,713.50
16,880.45
425.00
850.00
4,424.95
8,277.95
180.00
330.00
360.00
660.00
1,495.00
2,990.00
412.00
824.00
706.10
2,634.00
1,412.20
5,360.00
356.00
1,615.05
712.00
3,230.10
250.00
500.00
47,754.30
100,135.10
ITEM 5: ANNEX 2
23/02/15
Dear LAF Chair
At the LAF Regional Coordinators teleconference, today (23/02/15) we regrettably had to inform
them that Natural England will not be able to renew their contracts beyond the 31st March 2015.
Natural England, in common with all the public sector, is having to reprioritise its work in the light of
ever more stringent funding, and we have therefore reviewed how we provide support to LAFs
going forwards. The consequence of this is that we will no longer we will no longer have the budget
for Regional Coordinator work.
LAFs continue to offer a valuable focus for access and recreation at a local level, and we will
encourage our Area Teams to continue to work with LAFs to provide opportunities for everyone to
enjoy the natural environment. The work of LAFs continues to be important and there will be many
future occasions where your advice to Natural England will be requested and appreciated, for
example, on delivery of the England Coast Path following the recent announcement by
Government to accelerate this programme and complete the work by 2020.
Natural England Area Teams operate with a large degree of autonomy and each will need to work
with their local LAFs in a way which fits the priorities of that area. It will be important for you to
make contact with your Area Team and explore how you might best work together. A list of Natural
England Area contacts is attached to help you.
We will retain a LAF central unit, with Rob Leek continuing to facilitate the sharing of information
and good practice to LAFs and other interested parties, on Huddle, through our Newsletters and
through preparing an England LAF annual report. When resources allow, we will look to facilitate a
national LAF conference. Andy Mackintosh will provide senior level support and technical advice
to Rob.
If you have any questions about the new arrangements please contact Rob Leek (tel: 0300 060
1505; email: [email protected]) in the first instance.
Ian Fugler
Director, Access and Engagement
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM
Meeting:
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Agenda item 7:
Updates and reports from other LAFs
a) New Forest Access Forum
The agenda and papers for the meeting of 2 March 2015 can be found on the website:
www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/newforestaccessforum
Future meeting dates for 2015: 1 June, 7 September, 7 December
HCAF observer - Paul Brockman
b) South Downs Local Access Forum
Minutes of the meeting of 13 January 2015 can be found on the website:
www.southdowns.gov.uk/get-involved/local-access-forum
Future meeting dates for 2015: 22 April, 28 July, 27 October
HCAF observers - Graham Flatt, Valerie Rawlings
c) SELAF Chairs meeting
Verbal report from meeting of 27 January 2015 to be provided at the meeting.
d) North Wessex Downs AONB LAF meeting
Verbal report to be provided at the meeting.
e) Other
If you would like to attend any of the neighbouring LAF meetings as an observer inform Amanda
([email protected]) and she will ensure you are sent the meeting papers.
Future meeting dates for 2015
Bracknell Forest LAF: 6 October
Dorset LAF: 10 July
Isle of Wight LAF: 4 June, 10 September, 3 December
Mid and West Berkshire LAF: 21 May
Surrey LAF: 13 April, 13 July, 12 October (HCAF observers - Alan Taylor, Melanie Fortescue)
West Sussex LAF: 29 April, 22 July
Wiltshire and Swindon LAF: TBC
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM
Meeting:
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Agenda item 8:
3-5 year forward plan
CLOSED SESSION FOR FORUM MEMBERS ONLY
A workshop session will be held at the Forum meeting giving members the opportunity to consider
any revisions needed to the 3-5 year forward plan and to agree what items should be included in
the work programme for 2015.
For reference a copy of the current 3-5 year forward plan and work programme for 2014 can be
found in Annex 1 and 2 respectively.
3-5 year forward plan (Annex 1) - a forward plan has proved useful in previous years to ensure
the Forum remains focussed and effective and to assist with the development of annual work
programmes. The Forum approved the current forward plan in February 2013, however with a new
Forum membership now in place it will be useful to revisit this to see if any revisions are needed.
Work programme (Annex 2) - a work programme is useful to guide the Chair and Vice-Chair in
setting meeting agendas and for all members to have a summary of what they can expect to
discuss and task groups that may be needed to take items forward.
ITEM 8: ANNEX 1
HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS FORUM (HCAF): 3-5 YEAR FORWARD PLAN
Agreed by the Forum in February 2013
Topic & level of Forum involvement
1. CAP review and implementation
Advise on the process used for the review of the CAPs 2014-2019 and contribute to the review itself.
Advise on the implementation process
*Provide a representative to each CAP working group and review progress of groups (at least 2x per
year) *subject to outcome of CAP Review
Advise on potential partners and/or funding for implementation projects
Contribute to specific/pilot projects
2. Compliance with statutory responsibilities (e.g. ROW, Open Access, and highway issues affecting
non-motorised users)
Monitor compliance with statutory responsibilities
Provide advice and guidance on compliance with statutory responsibilities
3. Influence national and local government policy
Respond to statutory consultations and selected consultations as agreed by HCAF members
Engage with and provide advice to those developing new and revised countryside policies (e.g. multiuser routes, all ability routes, permissive routes, unclassified county roads)
Engage with Natural England on specific topics
Engage with planning authorities on securing access improvements through the planning system
Provide advice and guidance to HCC/SCC/ PCC, District Councils and Highways Agency on the
implementation of policies affecting access
Liaise with the NF LAF and SD LAF on issues affecting the National Parks in Hampshire, as appropriate
4. Promote opportunities to improve access through local initiatives, Trusts and other organisations
Liaise with HALC, Town and Parish Councils and other bodies supporting local and voluntary action
Engage with the voluntary sector e.g. through Community Action Hampshire, conservation bodies and
others
Promote and review HCC Small Grants Scheme and provide panel members
Engage with the Hampshire Local Nature Partnership
5. Education/awareness raising
Identify opportunities to influence behaviour in the countryside and provide appropriate advice and
guidance to access providers and users
Engage with educational establishments (e.g. Sparsholt College)
6. Engaging with land owners (public and private) managers and tenants on access issues
Identify opportunities to engage with private and public landowners
Work with public landowners, particularly HCC to ensure that it leads by example
Engage with MoD and contribute to review of MoD bylaws
6. Seek out/sponsor opportunities to improve access
Conclude current phase of PATHH project and decide future action with regard to output
Consider opportunities presented by schemes such as the Paths for Communities programme
7. Budget for Countryside Access
Receive briefings on budgets for countryside access and provide advice as appropriate
Identify additional funding sources and advise as appropriate
8. HCAF training and engagement with other LAFs
Identify training opportunities for HCAF members on relevant topics
Liaise with NFAF and SDLAF
Liaise with members of other LAFs, including use of the Huddle network