Accessibility Working Group Updates
Minutes:
Lisa Hughes explained that the ‘Walks for All’ report had been distributed to LAF members in advance of the meeting. A couple of years ago, the Access Working Group was created after a presentation at a LAF meeting and the group had built a methodology called Walks for all, many and some. This allowed walks to be categorised and for the public to gain an insight if the route would suit their abilities. The findings had been presented a year ago which was accepted by the LAF. During lockdown, the sub groups work had been limited but two new volunteers had offered their help to the group. There were a lot of footpaths across the borough that needed to be audited, with the volunteer noting the big features on the footpath. The document would then be produced and circulated to group members, with another volunteer using the document to walk the route. Of the six pilot localities, five were actively in progress. For Battlemead, the group could use the masterplan that had been produced to finish off their documentation of the site. The other localities were in the early stages, with the only one not to be started being the River Thames at Old Windsor.
As part of the audit, Lisa Hughes contacted some wheelchair users near Boulters and asked them about access getting onto Ray Mill Island. The slopes on the bridge were very steep and users were concerned about being unable to control their wheelchairs coming off the bridge.
Steve Gillions said the intention was to create a series of walks, with it not just being a walk from point A to B but looking at different routes available in a particular locality. The document would include information of the walk, how to get there and what route options were available along with a map. The starting point and access to parking or public transport was something that needed to be considered and it was hoped that ideas could be added to the document over time. Steve Gillions said the current draft was probably the best that could be produced using the skills and resources available to the sub group, but suggested that someone who was able to help with technical map making and ability to design leaflets would be greatly appreciated.
Lisa Hughes reiterated that the project was about walks for everyone of all ages and abilities and that the aim was for walks that could be done in a loop rather than just between two points. She mentioned using social media to advertise some of the walks and allow more photos to be added. Lisa Hughes thanked Steve Gillions for all his work on the project.
Steve Gillions said that all the walks were self-guided and social media was important in gaining feedback about footpaths and routes.
Susy Shearer said that it was excellent report. She explained that the Cycle Forum, before it was disbanded, had a way finder group that measured distances for cyclists in time rather than distance.
Anne Woodward said that putting the maps online was important for easy access and it could also be followed on residents walking the route on their mobile phones.
Jacqui Wheeler offered the support of RBWM in the creation of the maps, online mapping was an important tool and was the way forward. She asked if the maps would be graded.
Lisa Hughes said that the six pilots were intended to be for all with the primary focus of the surveys being to describe what is there so that people were aware.
The Chairman thanked Lisa Hughes for a comprehensive report. To get this project further forward, the argument presented to RBWM needed to be coherent. The Chairman proposed to convene a meeting of members of the three working groups. The purpose was to identify areas were the groups could support each other in opening up more areas to multiple groups. It was hoped this would be in early 2021. The working group meeting would allow the Forum to put something forward.
Councillor Hunt thanked Lisa Hughes and Steve Gillions for the report and said that the sub group had worked superbly.
Supporting documents: