Anne Woodward updated the Forum on the work of the sub group. An initial survey had been undertaken in March, with the key findings being:

·         Motor vehicles presented the highest safety related issues on-road, with respondents reporting worsening of behaviour over last 24 months.

·         Riding off-road, dog attacks and owners/walkers were the biggest hazard, with dogs often not under full control.

·         67% of safety incidents go unreported to Police or BHS, so official data is grossly understated.

·         Increases in urbanisation and the related traffic, means that the Cookham and Knowl Hill routes were no longer the safe haven for equestrians that they were intended to be.

·         Only 22% of PROW in the Borough were accessible for equestrians.

·         Equestrians did not use roads by choice, they would prefer local safe off-road riding.

Recommendations from the group:

·         Education programme for vehicles, cyclists, dog owners and riders

·         Continue to work with RBWM PROW to investigate improvements to Cookham and Knowl Hill circuits.

·         Invite more volunteers for sub-group to fully investigate safety improvements in all areas of the Borough, particularly for Windsor and Ascot.

·         Review speed limits and improve signage in Cookham and Cookham Dean, Lee Lane, Burchetts Green Lane, Warren Row Road, Terry’s Lane, Mileys Road, Twyford Road.

·         Identify which highway verges, cycleways, open spaces owned by RBWM could be opened to multi-use, in order to separate horses from motor traffic.

·         Planning and developments in the Borough to consider impact on horse routes and incorporate multi-use access, rather than cycling only.

After the LAF June meeting, Anne Woodward had put together some additional reports for areas that had not been covered in the initial survey, including places like Cookham and Ascot. She commented on an example found in Cookham where a sign had been placed saying ‘No more horses on Cookham roads’. There was another problem where there was a footpath which was currently a cycleway but the landowner was not prepared to make it available to equestrians. In Ascot, there was very little off road riding other than paying for a license to ride in the Windsor Great Park. The reports provided more detailed information of the safety issues faced by equestrians along with some suggestions on how the risks could be reduced. There had been little success in approaching landowners.

Steve Gillions said that it was a very comprehensive report and that it was important that footpaths were upgraded to bridleways where appropriate. Cyclists were also able to use the route if it was classed as a bridleway, but safety issues always needed to be taken into account.

Anne Woodward explained that horses were unable to go on a cycling route, with certain things needing to be done to ensure that a path can be safely transformed to allow horses too and Anne Woodward said that she would be happy to work with landowners to see this happen.

The Chairman commented on Ashley Hill Forest and the desire to gain access. He had written to the Maidenhead MP, Theresa May, to ask if she would be able to discuss the issue with the Forestry Commission. They claimed that the area was in ‘wet forest’ and was therefore unsuitable for equestrians and they did not want to upgrade the path at this stage.

Councillor Cannon left the meeting.

Alan Keene said that it was a good report and clarified the various references to Copas Farms. Copas Farms was one organisation, with Copas Partnership being a separate organisation altogether. It was also important to note the difference between byways and restricted byways. Alan Keene suggested an improvement to the reports could be to include the parish in the rights of way reference numbers. The Agriculture Bill had recently become the Agriculture Act and therefore it was hoped this might be used to persuade more landowners to upgrade their public rights of way. Bisham bridleways number 22 had been cut off by the A308, Alan Keene suggested that this could be connected to another nearby bridleway. However, there was no guarantee that the landowner would connect the two routes using a bridleway rather than just a footpath.

The Chairman said that these were points that would also hopefully come out of the work of the sub groups which would allow and improve access for all.

Jacqui Wheeler thanked Anne Woodward for the report, it was useful to help the Public Rights of Way Team to improve access for all groups. Some landowners had not been approached for some time about possible upgrades of public rights of way across their land so this was something that could be explored with the findings from the reports. Jacqui Wheeler suggested a meeting between the sub groups to discuss what the best approach might be. She suggested that a steer from the LAF would be useful but this may come later down the line once priorities had been decided upon.

Anne Woodward said there needed to be something in it for the landowner to get them onside with any proposals.