TYNE & WEAR JOINT LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
REPORT ON 2017 FORWARD PLAN REVIEW FOR MEETING ON 18 JULY 2017
We prepared our first Forward Plan in 2015. With changes ahead - in transport planning (the North East Regional Transport Plan), continuing reductions in local authority staff and budgets, plus withdrawal of EU funding, we need to be sure of our priorities and focus our time and energy where it will be most effective.
We did a Post-It exercise at the April JLAF meeting to check whether our Forward Plan still reflects what members think is important. We also gave some thought to whether we and other organisations associated with the JLAF are performing as expected. Members not present at the meeting were invited to send their answers. All the comments are included in Annexe 2 attached and you can compare these with the original 2015 list in Annexe 3
Looking at the recent exercise, the following points can be made.
1 Despite the small number of respondents, there is a broadly similar range of priorities. Safety and signage are mentioned and can be linked into our existing four themes.
2 “Missing links”, better connectivity, making improvements to suit all abilities and good maintenance still feature fairly strongly.
3 We, our supporting officers and the agencies (Natural England and DEFRA) can all do better. The government agencies were not considered to be pulling their weight with regard to access.
3 Some minor revisions to the Forward Plan priorities are needed. The revised plan is attached as Annexe 1 and the changes are shown in italics for JLAF approval.
DEFRA Guidance (2007 – section 4.1) still holds – this was confirmed by the officers at the recent National Conference. DEFRA expects Local Access Forums to have a work programme in place. I propose we add a short section to the forward plan to try and make sure we allow time in our quarterly meetings to address the priority themes we have set ourselves.
Tyne & Wear Joint Local Access Forum is recommended to agree the following.
1 There will be a regular agenda item to monitor progress on each of the four themes, recording achievements and identifying challenges and barriers to progress.
2 The plan will be reviewed again in April 2019.
3 Members suggestions for additional issues to be included can be made at any time, as we respond to changing circumstances.
4 Acceptance of the JLAF work programme for JLAF
ANNEXE 1
TYNE & WEAR JOINT LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
REVISED FORWARD PLAN
18 July 2017
DRAFT FOR CONSIDERATION & APPROVAL
Our key themes for 2017-19 remain as follows with some minor additions to reflect the April 2017 consultation responses.
1 Promotion and Education: The role of Public Rights of Way for walking, cycling and horse riding, the many benefits, better mapping and regular updating of routes.
2 Better connectivity and linkage, across, through and beyond the Tyne & Wear area and addressing “missing links”
3 Disabled users: Removing barriers to use, including better provision for disabled users and accessible literature and signage.
4 Supporting Local Authorities in their efforts and encouraging more action to protect, expand and manage the Rights of Way network, achieve better maintenance, better signage and improve safety for users, particularly where routes cross or join roads and other hazards.
DRAFT WORK PROGRAMME 2017 – 19
Theme 1 Working co-operatively with our neighbouring LAF colleagues and the North East Combined Authority may be a good option.
Themes 2 and 4 are being addressed positively by the Planning sub-group, apart from the issue of maintenance. The group will work to develop better engagement with planning officers , maximise access improvements through development, re-issue the Planning Guidance Notes and ensure the ROWIP is promoted and endorsed in planning documents.
Theme 3 is being developed and addressed by the recently established Disability Topic Group.
Quarterly JLAF meetings 2017 - 19
Summer 2017 / Planning focus and trainingAutumn 2017 / NECA Consultation, Cycling & Walking Strategy and ROWIPs. Joint approach with Northumberland and Durham.
Winter 2018 / Review of Disability Topic Group
Spring 2018 / Focus on community promotion and education, Recruitment to JLAF and maintenance issues. AGM
Summer 2018 / Focus on “missing links” and connectivity, within and beyond Tyne & Wear.
Autumn 2018 / Safety focus
Winter 2019 / Equestrian focus and multi-user routes review
Spring 2019 / Health focus. AGM. Forward Plan Review
Summer 2019 / NECA Review and ROWIP Revision
ANNEXE 2
Forward Plan 2017 Priorities Exercise
JLAF 25 April 2017 Record of comments made.
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Questions 1, 2 & 3 What are your 3 most important access issues for the JLAF to try and address? Please give reasons.
JLAF Members:
Routes for multi-use within and beyond the urban area
Good maintenance of paths, bridleways and good surfaces, no puddles or overgrown areas.
Good signage, clear and well kept with needs of disabled in mind
Derwent Walk to Chopwell is only a Right of Way in parts – join it all up
Progress “missing links”
Progress promoted bridleways that did not go through the legal process at the time they were proposed
Improve road safety I.e. Road crossings & have speed limits on minor roads linking the bridleway network
Link existing Rights of Way via “missing links”
Keep some green space either side of Rights of Way
Safety of Rights of Way between user groups – promote respect
Preserving & where possible improving & extending the route network (non motorised) & completing “Missing links”
Improve communications & co-operation between local authorities & NECA to preserve route network and develop a regional ROWIP
Improve access to & use of non-motorised routes for the disabled & less mobile
Non members
Update of maps
Extra funding
An improved Rights of Way network
A safe Rights of Way network
An accessible Rights of Way network
Understanding by the public and members of the bodies
Updated definitive map
Funding
Knowledge – officer, legislation.
Yes/no questions. Please give reasons and/or an example.
Question 4 Is the T&WJLAF doing its job?
T&W JLAF Members
Not doing enough to achieve objectives – (a) not enough members and (b) some authorities have no member coverage
No – finance is limiting success
Yes – take up issues but takes a long time to influence planners etc
No – because officers are not seeking our advice
Non-members
No – no linkage between the 2
Sometimes
Question 5 Are Local Authorities doing their job?
T&W JLAF Members
Officers are not all doing enough – should (a) alert on outline developments of strategic importance & (b) advise where JLAF can advise
Yes
Rights of Way officers ok
No officers not seeking JLAF advice proactively thus limited input and reports, though some positive achievements
Non-Members
Yes – LAF is a stand-alone body. Minimal assistance only is required.
Question 6 Are DEFRA & Natural England doing their job?
T&W JLAF Members
Natural England has almost disappeared, DEFRA now totally absent or nearly.
No
Support varies, dependent on issues
Don’t see how they address issues
Need more money
No – e.g.withdrawal of support officer at Natural England
Non-Members
Don’t know
No. Funding is required but not forthcoming
Sometimes
ANNEXE 3
LAF Priorities List 2015
Those present at the JLAF meeting on 24 February 2015 identified their priorities in answer to the question “Tell us your big 3 issues for local access that you'd like to see covered in the strategy”. Whilst this question was posed in relation to a possible North East local Access Strategy, it is also relevant for Tyne & Wear. The answers received were, in order of popularity:
· Better connectivity across the whole North East region, and beyond for non-motorised routes
· Identify and promote positive benefits of walking, cycling and horse-riding on North East local economy, health, tourism, environment
· Better provision to help those with disabilities to use the network
· More links between existing routes
· Better public transport from home to the countryside especially on Sundays
· North East Rights of Way Improvement Plans to be inter-connected and compatible
· Improve connectivity for non-motorised users between the urban area and the semi-urban green spaces and rural areas.
· More links between existing routes
· Address “missing links”
· Improve mapping
· Address litter
· Remove physical barriers to access
· Maintain Public Rights of Way to a better standard
· Exploit new opportunities to improve the Rights of Way network. E.g. through Developer Contributions.
· Improved access to the region’s cycling routes
· Update North East access routes
· Address apathy from all parties toward protection, expansion and management of the Public Rights of Way network
· Strengthen Local Authorities in the use of their powers and their responsibilities
· Preservation of routes
· Effective and realistic costings
· Promotion
· Education
· More multi-user routes (Horse-riders, cyclists, wheeled chairs, walkers)
· Accessible literature
Our “Terms of Reference” document (Item 4) notes that the JLAF will give advice on three main topics:
a) implementation, management and review of the statutory right of access to the countryside;
b) improving the rights of way network;
c) the development of recreation and access strategies that cater for a wide range of people.