Agenda item

Richard Walton, Public Rights of Way and Country Parks Manager, had provided an agenda paper and discussed further aspects of his role in the County. He explained that he had been involved with Local Access Forums in his previous roles with Cornwall Council, the New Forest National Park and Bracknell Forest Council and there was much synergy in relation to topics and issues.  LAF recommendations were important in steering wider work.

Richard expanded on the ‘Don’t Lose Your Way’ project explaining that the Ramblers’ and British Horse Society were working hard on this and involving interested people.  The Public Rights of Way team was liaising carefully to inform the process and ensure the highest quality proposals were put forward with the right evidence base to ease future workload.  The Devon parish by parish review was recognised as a strong approach and the Ramblers’ had been advised to focus on parishes where the review was currently taking place or not yet happened.  Appropriate information could be shared on parishes where the review had been completed.

Further information was given on the England Coast Path process:

·         Work was continuing with Natural England and landowners to finalise the designation process.

·         Exmoor National Park would lead on establishment works and grant bids on the Minehead to Combe Martin stretch.

·         On the Combe Martin to Marsland Mouth stretch most recommendations had been approved.  A decision following the Planning Inspector’s visit was awaited.  In the interim, additional discussion with landowners between Croyde and Velator had taken place which may lead to a better outcome.

·         The Cremyll to Kingswear stretch was largely approved except reports on Cremyll to Batten Point, Mothecombe Beach to the Avon Estuary and Torcross to Kingswear.  A visit by the Planning Inspector should be complete by the end of the year.

·         Grant bids should be submitted for projects next month. These included:

o   Cliff stabilisation and reinstatement of the path at Torcross.  The Marine Management Organisation had given approval.  A bid of £123,000 (100%) would be submitted to the Establishment Fund.

o   Reinstatement of the concrete causeway from Croyde to Downend following approval for works on a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

o   Signage works costing an estimated £20,000 on the Kingswear to Lyme Regis stretch.

·         Between Appledore and Westward Ho! discussions were taking place with Torridge District Council and Natural England to move the England Coast Path off-road along a proposed new coastal embankment, part of flood prevention work.

·         Path improvements at Mothecombe Beach are proposed but this stretch had not yet been approved by the Secretary of State.

Richard Walton confirmed that the £20,000 for signs on the Kingswear to Lyme Regis section would be a combination of new signs/directional signs and adapting existing signs.  Liaison would take place with the South West Coast Path Association.  The SWCP would remain the primary branding.

The Definitive Map team was making sure it is prepared for the 2026 deadline for registering unrecorded rights based on historical evidence but the Secretary of State had powers to extend this date.

The parish review had been impacted by COVID-19 as face-to-face meetings were deferred.  Meetings were now taking place with appropriate safeguards.

Agenda items were being prepared for the Public Rights of Way meeting in November.

Work was taking place with the Road Safety team and the British Horse Society to promote the Dead Slow campaign.  The DCAF’s support was sought in terms of being named as part of the messaging and promotion.  It was noted this fitted with the new hierarchy in the Highway Code.

It was agreed to support the Dead Slow campaign.  Concern was noted about other vulnerable users such as cyclists and mobility scooter users, the latter not included in the Highway Code. It was suggested a statement on consideration could be added to some of the DCAF position statements.  The Chair moved that this matter be added to the next meeting agenda.

Action:  Forum Officer

Dartmoor National Park had sought agreement from the Public Rights of Way team on an A38 corridor consultation on access opportunities, including unsurfaced, Unclassified County Roads, extending beyond the park boundary.  Mapping had been provided.  The timescale for the consultation was not known.  Scope for DCAF involvement would be considered in due course.

Richard Walton confirmed that August, combined with coronavirus, had not been a good time for recruitment across the board in DCC.  The Senior Officer post in Public Rights of Way would be readvertised following scrutiny of the job description and positivity around the role.  As requested, details of the post would be forwarded to DCAF members.  Recruitment would also be carried out to replace the vacant PRoW Assistant Officer post.

Action:  Richard Walton, DCC

One matter arising from the minutes, not on the agenda, was a question about whether ACDC could be used by P3 and other groups using volunteers. Richard Walton undertook to look into this. (ProW contractors were asked to register with ACDC to ensure health and safety and insurance matters were managed properly).

Action:  Richard Walton, DCC

With regard to signage, an appropriate balance between information and landscape was raised as an important consideration.