Steve Gillions explained that there had been six pilot walks on the ‘Walks for All’ project, which identified those parts of the network that less able people had difficulty using. The progress that had been made on the six projects was as follows:

·         Boulters Lock – survey had been completed.

·         The Greenway – survey had been completed and report had been written up.

·         Battlemead Common – survey had been completed but the write up had not yet been completed. Steve Gillions needed the definitive route of the Causeway path before this route could be finished.

·         Cock Marsh and Ockwells Park – this was still to be completed.

·         Runnymede – it was proposed that this route was deferred as the National Trust had a plan to improve all the paths in this area.

Steve Gillions explained that some of the main issues that had been encountered were path surfacing problems and levelling of steps. Any issues that had been spotted were flagged up to RBWM and they had been amended quickly. Barriers at some sites, which were used to prevent motorbikes, could also prevent those with wheelchairs or push chairs from accessing the path. The missing link at St Clouds Way was now under construction so the situation in this area had been improving. Steve Gillions believed that issues could be easily resolved if RBWM had a published standard for path construction and surfacing which could help solve problems with multi-user footpaths. Communication between departments at the council could also be improved, particularly between rights of way and highways. A published planned programme for path improvements that could be discussed before it was implemented would be useful.

Considering the Walks for All project, there were two areas where external support was needed, in mapping the routes and publishing the routes. RBWM Together would be a sensible place for the routes to be published. Steve Gillions requested that Walks for All members were allowed to meet with the Head of Transformation and the Parks and Countryside Manager to discuss the project.

Lisa Hughes passed on her thanks to Steve Gillions for completing the write ups of the various different routes that were part of the project. She explained that the routes were not linear, there were several different options that users could pick when completing a walk. For example, on the Greenway there were a number of interlinked paths which could be used. Lisa Hughes commented on a path at the back of the Braywick Leisure Centre, the path still did not have a finished surface which made it difficult for wheelchair users.

Jacqui Wheeler confirmed that the path at Braywick would be resurfaced soon which would fix the issues which had been raised.

The Chairman said that communication was important and discussions should be had with officers at RBWM on the aspects of help that Steve Gillions had requested.

ACTION – Jacqui Wheeler to investigate who at RBWM would be best to discuss publishing the Walks for All project on the website.

Councillor Sharpe asked for clarification on where the six walks were located in the borough, he felt that residents from the rest of RBWM would gain no benefit from the work that had been done. Councillor Sharpe said there was nothing south of Maidenhead and felt that it was not inclusive, the LAF was a borough wide Forum.

Steve Gillions said that there had been six pilot areas to see if the idea worked, with the aim being easy access to a central hub where walks could be started. The plan for the project was to look at other areas of the borough after the initial six walks had been completed.

Councillor Sharpe said that he knew a footpath in his ward which could do with an upgrade to allow those with disabilities to use it, he requested that this was added to the list.

The Chairman said that it depended on the council to take the project further and implement the changes that had been recommended. Parish councils had been made aware of the project but there had been little interest in the south of the borough.

Councillor Sharpe said that the project needed to be more inclusive, it was not just about Maidenhead.

The Chairman felt that Councillor Sharpe was missing the point, the north of the borough had expressed an interest in being involved in the Walks for All project, the south of the borough had not. Steve Gillions and Lisa Hughes were unable to look at paths all over the borough at this stage. If the concept could be proved as a success, it could spread its wings and encompass more of the borough.

Lisa Hughes commented that this had been raised by Councillor Sharpe at previous LAF meetings. It needed to be considered in context, Lisa Hughes said that she was disabled and a volunteer, she did not have the capability to go down to areas in the south of the borough. She felt like the comments from Councillor Sharpe had been a personal attack rather than constructive feedback.