Barrow Parish Council – Footpaths Committee Meeting 12th March 2018

Present

C Youngs, P Walsh, R Tomlinson, M Moulstone (Chair, Barrow PC), S Weaver, A Frew (minutes).
Apologies

J Armstrong, P Atkinson (CWAC),G Higginbotham, R Simpkins.

Minutes of Last Meeting on 15/01/18

Minutes were accepted as correct.

Matters Arising

1/Guide Books – Since the record listed in the minutes of 15/01/18, 13 books have been sold: 7 from the Bluebell, 3 from Tarvin PO and 3 from Guilden Sutton PO.

Date 12/03/2018 Balance from last record / £ 300-07
Income 13 new books sold
Proceeds from sales /
£40-00
Stock locations: Bluebell Café, Guilden Sutton PO, Helsby PO, Tarvin PO, Foxcote, CY.
Expenditure
Latest total / £ 340-07

2/ Path 2 (Ferma Lane to Guilden Sutton) –No further information had been received from PA regarding his inspection of the bridge and signage inaccuracies.

3/ Path 4 (Barrowmore to B5132) – PW reported that recent hedge cutting had not affected briars which were invading the headland and that access might prove difficult when the field was ploughed. MM agreed to inspect the area but it was possible that the need to respect the nesting season would limit remedial action.

4/ Path 5 (Ferma Lane to Sunny Bank) - ‘L’ path markers indicating the turn towards path 24 had now been erected by GH. It was reported that the long-standing issue regarding the overgrown route to The Hough had now been resolved and the route had been cleared.

It was noted that Paul Johnson hadcut the hedge and headlands.

5/ Path 11 (Barrowmore to Broomhill) – Pa reported that the dangerous stile had now been replaced.

6/ Path 12 (Broomhill to Hollowmoor Heath) – PA would make a final check that the slope was satisfactory.

7/ Path 24 (Ferma Lane to Little Barrow) – Paul Johnson had scrapped the hard standing where his yard met Ferma Lane. He had expressed doubtas to the historical basis for the routing of Path 24 beyond the junction with Path 5. The status of the footpath appeared clear and this was therefore a matter for Mr Johnson to take up with CWAC. CY had tried to gain access to 1950s Minute Books of the Parish Council to clarify this but the Books had not yet been found.

8/ Path 29 (Barnhouse Lane to Path13) – Richard Ankers had carried out an inspection and would make recommendations about signage.

9/ Riders – It was believed that some of the ‘No Horses’ signage had been replaced. There was a general issue about the removal of signs, which had affected the Playing Fields.

A.O.B.

Community Website – CY had submitted a posting to the Community website providing details on footpaths in the Parish but the illustrations were not appearing as required and she was seeking further copies from the illustrator. Minutes of the Footpaths Committee were also being included and it was agreed these should be limited to a rolling 12 months period. MM confirmed that he would support the same posting on the Parish Council website.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting is on Monday 21 May 2018 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. AF wouldbook the hall.

Appendix of Outstanding Footpaths Work

Path /
Point
/ Date / Work Required / Actions
Path 2 / 4 / 21/11/12 / Stiles on/off bridge are difficult. The rails had gone and the bridge needs replacing as it is dangerous / Replacement rails are inadequate. PA has asked for a new bridge.
Path 5 / 1 / 15/02/16 / Steps need further attention / PA is planning to use sandstone retrieved from dismantled steps on Path 20 to use here.
Path 6 / 4 / 24/05/10 / Gowy crossing steps very steep. Extra step needed. / PA will raise work sheet.
Path 7 / 4
9 / 11/07/11
11/07/11 / Two stiles provided by CWAC need to be installed but contractors could not obtain access. / In progress.
Path 13
/ 22/01/08 / Signage inadequate.
/ PA to review.
Path 15 / 1 / 04/04/16 / Step onto stile very high / PA plans to use sandstone from Path 20 to add further risers.
Path 16 / 5 / 15/02/16 / Another rail has been added to the small footbridge but it still needs stabilising. The gate at position 4 needs lowering. / PA to action.
Path 19 / 2 / 07/09/15 / New gate needed at Mill / Progress not known.
Path 20 / 2
/ 15/02/16 / Replacement steps are far too high. More steps needed. / CY to press Action Team to progress.
Path 23 / - / 14/10/13 / The path is overgrown / A work sheet is in. PA will check signage between this and Path 12.