Agenda item

·         To note and approve email from working group to Lesley Garlick, DCC (Explore Devon website). (Page 21)

·         To note and approve letter from working group to Steve Gardner, Public Rights of Way Senior Officer. (Pages 23 - 24)

·         To consider response from Steve Gardner, Public Rights of Way Senior Officer. (Pages 25 - 26)

·         To consider and approve Trail Principles draft statement. (Page 27)

Explore Devon website

A working group was set up following the last meeting. It considered the question of equestrian publicity and the possibility of adding horse routes to the Explore Devon website, together with comprehensive information about horse box parking and other basic facilities.  The email to Lesley Garlick, DCC, was noted and approved.

Ros Mills, DCC, said that Lesley Garlick would be retiring, posts would be merged and there was no resource for website development.  It would be possible to signpost to other websites and partners such as the British Horse Society, SW Riders, the Blackdown Hills, Dartmoor National Park, National Trust and Forestry Commission.  Any route specifically promoted by DCC would have to be risk assessed.  It was noted that Sustrans had some information, particularly in connection to growth routes and links to these.  Cycle England also had a useful website.

The working group had been trying to achieve a single resource.  It was agreed links would be useful but not comprehensive.

It was noted that DCC now produce very few hard copies of publications as these are available as pdf documents on the web.  The budget had been reduced and not transferred to web improvements.

It was agreed the Forum should write to Meg Booth and David Black, DCC Chief Officers, to highlight the benefits of having a single resource point, covering all user groups, where people can access information.  There would be a potential link to health funding.

Action:  Forum Officer to draft and circulate letter.

Trail surfacing

The working group inspected surfacing on a particular section of the Pegasus Trail, recently re-surfaced with crushed rock.  Concerns had been expressed by horse-riders and other users about the stoning.  Steve Gardner, DCC, had attended an initial site visit with the working group.

To achieve a softer surface and improved landscape, recommendations had subsequently been put forward to Steve Gardner, Senior Officer, DCC.  The working group had suggested a pilot scheme involving wood chippings over part of the surface, recognising the need for hard surfacing across part of the forestry access road.  The letter to Steve Gardner was noted and approved.

Steve Gardner had thanked the DCAF for its advice but was not willing to put down wood chip for biosecurity reasons, bearing in mind the forestry interests at that location.  Members acknowledged this issue.  DCC had agreed to dust the surface as is usual for this type of surface and make re-dusting part of a regular commitment.  This decision was welcomed by the Forum though some disappointment was expressed that the opportunity had been lost to look at alternative surfaces and cost these out.

Ros Mills, DCC, appreciated the concerns raised and acknowledged dusting should have been undertaken initially.  She said that without a Rights of Way Improvement Plan Officer there was no time to undertake trials.  Asset management models were in place to maintain rights of way with lasting surfaces.  The Countryside Agency (now Natural England) had good specifications for multi-use trails which DCC uses.  With dusting it is anticipated the surface at West Bowerland would last longer and soften in years to come.

The time constraints associated with some funding pots were noted.  It was mentioned contractors use different stone, some in greater sympathy with the landscape, for example the section at Venn Down Gate had settled more quickly.  The importance of giving guidance to contractors on the particle size of scalpings was raised.

Ros Mills would advise when dusting had taken place.  The British Horse Society had expressed satisfaction with the proposals and emphasised that a safe off road route should be the priority.

The working group had subsequently drafted some trail principles.  Following discussion it was agreed some revisions were required, particularly to point 1).

Action:  Forum Officer to circulate to members for further comment.

The working group had not addressed carriage driving, allowed on multi-use trails in many authorities.  Ros Mills confirmed she had asked other regions to report back on this to the national Adept meeting. 

Action:  Ros Mills to update Forum.