To update the Panel on progress made with Public Rights of Way issues during the period from August 2015 to February 2016.

Appendix 1 - The Progress Report.

The Principal Rights of Way Officer explained to Members that the report (for information only) updated the progress made with regard to Public Rights of Way issues during the six months from August 2015 to February 2016. 

Photos of Public Footpath 19 Eton (Southfield) were shown to Members (before and after photos).  It was noted that initially the footpath had not been marked properly but had since been sprayed.

Photos of Bridleway off Moores Lane, Eton Wick were shown to Members (before and after photos).  It was noted that as a joint scheme / project with Slough the bollards had been replaced with new barriers which were helping to keep motorbikes from using the  Bridleway.

Photos of Public Footpath 25 Hurley (near Channers cottage) were shown to Members (before and after photos).  It was noted that this path had been considered extremely muddy and that a new limestones scalping path had since been laid which could be used all year round.

Photos of Public Footpath 2 Old Windsor (Thames Path) were shown to Members (before and after photos).  It was noted that this path had been widened and limestones scalpings used to provide an improved walking surface. 

Photos of Public Footpath 48 Cookham (The Green Way) were shown to Members (before and after photos).  It was noted that conservation volunteers had installed steps and levelled out the path which had made it easier to use by less abled walkers, although it was not accessible to  disability buggies.. Councillor Muir stated that the work that had been completed looked very natural. 

The Chairman thanked the Principal Rights of Way Officer for his before and after photos which she felt were excellent. 

Members were referred to page 54 of the agenda which listed works due to be carried out in the next 2-3 months.  It was noted that a map board was due to be installed at Hurley car park, surface improvements to Nightingdale Lane, anti-graffiti paint to be applied to the underpass in South Field, surface and drainage improvements to Uncles Lane and riverbank repair and path surfacing to the Thames Path (Cookham Footpath 55).

It was noted that five DMMO applications had been received in June 2009 for footpaths crossing land at Thamesfield in Wraysbury. A Village Green application was also received for the land crossed by these claimed footpaths, and the footpath applications were held in abeyance pending resolution of the Village Green application. The Village Green application was refused following a public inquiry held in November 2012. Following a Judicial Review, the Council’s decision on the Village Green application was upheld in 2014. The footpath applications are currently being investigated.  It was noted that footpath claims had no time limits and a delegation (Head of Legal Services and the Head of Highways) decided on the DMMO’s, rather than the Rights of Way & Highway Licensing Panel. 

The Principal Rights of Way Officer explained that FP501 Cookham (Strande Lane to Maidenhead Road) was not currently on the definitive map, but was being investigated.  It was noted that whilst FPC 502 Windsor (Priors Road) had been agreed at a Public Enquiry last October the width of the path had not yet been decided.

Members congratulated the Principal Rights of Way Officer and his team for reducing the number of outstanding problems on public rights of way in the borough during the six months period covered by the Progress Report.

RESOLVED: Unanimously that; 

(i)        The Panel noted the report.