(Rosie Street left the meeting at 19:02)

Trisha Mentzel explained that it was agreed, along with Jacqui Wheeler, that the route in the Thriftwood extension of Ockwells Park needed amendments to make it clearer to go around. She mentioned that there were some concerns at the beginning on there being conflict between horse riders and walkers (especially dog walkers); however, there were no reports of conflict between these groups based on feedback.

Trisha Mentzel explained that the trial for horse rider access in Ockwells Park, which ran from the summer months of 2022 to November 2022, had recently ended. She asked whether LAF would support the path being accessible for horse riders in summer 2023.

Jacqui Wheeler agreed that work needed to be done on the signage at Ockwells Park for horse riders based on the feedback received. She also mentioned that some work had already been done, such as increasing the height of waymark posts and more signage added. More work would potentially be undertaken through further engagement with horse riders.

Jacqui Wheeler then asked if LAF supported this permissive access being permanent seasonal access for next year (2023) while the path was still available before the wetland works in Ockwells Park went ahead. She added that if approved by LAF, she would speak to parish councils and other users to then make a final decision on this equestrian access.

Ian Harvey informed that parish councils had not received complaints regarding the trial of horse rider accessibility; though some comments had been made on the way it was implemented:

·       The route map on the notice boards were inconsistent with the waymarks placed around the path.

·       The information on the start and end of the trial period was unclear.

·       Dog owners felt they were burdened on preventing any issues caused by their dogs with the horse riders.

·       Potential issues of horse manure poisoning dogs.

Ian Harvey explained that it was felt by residents that the trial should have been explained better to them.

Councillor Haseler agreed that the waymarking in Thriftwood needed to be clearer. He also confirmed that he had not received emails from residents raising issues regarding the trial after its initial implementation. He argued that as many users as possible should be allowed access to the land; therefore, the objective should be to reduce conflict between pathway users as much as possible. He also added that he would support continued accessibility for horse riders in Thriftwood into next year.

The Chairman then asked if the LAF supported extending the trial for horse-riding access into summer 2023 until the wetland plans for Ockwells Park were known. The LAF agreed, though Ian Harvey abstained because he had not raised this at Cox Green Parish Council.

AGREED: The LAF supported permissive horse-riding access at Thriftwood (Ockwells Park) continuing in 2023.

The Chairman declared that the LAF agreed to the continuation of the trial, subject to the issues regarding the mapping and signage needing improvement.

Jacqui Wheeler explained that she would contact parish councils for their views and then take this forward.

Trisha Mentzel raised that there was another byway that horses used called Uncle’s Lane (part of the Knowl Hill Bridleway) which went from Shurlock Row to Spring Lane. After visiting the byway with Sharon Wootten, Public Rights of Way Officer, Trisha Mentzel explained the Borough agreed that the land required some work, though it also requested some financial support.

Trisha Mentzel then explained that she asked the British Horsing Society (BHS) if they could provide some funding towards some maintenance works at Bridleway through one of their Ride Out Funds. She then stated that BHS agreed to forward £4,000 to the cost out of a total cost of £10,000. The Borough would also contribute to some of the costs.

Trisha Mentzel then explained the BHS asked if there was any possibility £1,000 being raised for other pathway users, such as cyclists and walkers. She stated that she would ask for £500 from the committee and then asked if there were any multi-user groups who might be able to contribute to the remaining £500.

The Chairman was uncertain and cautious about requesting funding from other group due to uncertainty on whether the groups had sources of funding as well as groups making their own requests for funding. He suggested that requests for funding should be made to the Borough.

Councillor Hunt asked about the proposition on how to make Uncles Lane suitable. Trisha Mentzel replied that it would likely involve filling deeper areas with road scalpings or crushed concrete, while laying membrane in deeper areas. Councillor Hunt replied that she had some issues with this as parts of Waltham St. Lawrence (near Uncles Lane) were in the flood zone. She then asked if this would require planning permission, adding this would need further review outside of the meeting.

The Chairman was uncertain if planning was required for placing crushed concrete, though speculated that this would be reviewed before being implemented.

Councillor Sharpe informed that Windsor Great Park had a model for multi-user groups whereby horse-riders, walkers and cyclists were designated separate areas to prevent conflict between the groups. He said that allowing multi-user access on public land would reduce the space for other users, and therefore argued that this would require caution.

The LAF noted the update.