LAKE DISTRICT LOCAL ACCESS FORUM
Minutes of a meeting of the Lake District Local Access Forum held at the Hydro Hotel, Bowness–on–Windermere at 6.30 pm on Monday 21 July 2008.
Present
Members:
Geoff Wilson / Carole BarrCharles Flanagan / Amanda McCleery
Ken Taylor / John Merrett
Ralph Henderson / Neil Paisley
Wendy Emmett / Larry Walters
Judith Moore / John Atkinson
Malcolm Petyt
Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA):
Chris Tomlin, Team Leader Countryside North
Mark Eccles, Head of Countryside Services
Stephanie Conway, Countryside Administrator and LD Local Access Forum Secretary (minutes)
Richard Fox, Fix the Fells Project Officer
David Robinson, Access and Recreation Developer North.
Mike Clarke, World Heritage Site Project Director
Apologies
Members:
John Crosbie
Peter Garland
Peter Jackson
John Taylor
James Thurlow
Observers:
Simon Boyd
292 Appreciation was expressed by the members for the work, help and assistance Barney Hill had given to the Forum.
293 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
293.1 Judith Moore declared interest in Item 6 and 10 as an employee of Friends of the Lake District.
293.2 John Atkinson declared interest in Item 6 as Project Manager.
293.3 Malcolm Petyt declared an interest in Item 6 as a Trustee of the Friends of the Lake District and in Item 10 as a representative on the CCA Partnership Board.
293.4 Ken Taylor declared interest in Item 10c.
294 MINUTES
294.1 Members confirmed the minutes as a true record of the last meeting held on 28 April 2008.
295 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
295.1 Item 279.3. Amanda McCleery asked if the letter had been sent. Geoff Wilson responded that a letter was still pending. Amanda requested that the Forum have sight of the finished letter and that she will then forward this to relevant educational organisations.
295.2 Item 281. Geoff Wilson has yet to complete the first action.
295.3 Item 280. Judith Moore has yet to complete the second action.
295.4 Item 283. Chris Tomlin commented that LDNPA were appointing consultants for a needs and preferences study on access to lakes, rivers and the coast. The project will be led by Suzy Grindley and the Forum will be consulted in due course.
Geoff felt further clarification was needed on:
· The consultation on the Marine Bill national legislation.
· The local work on access to lakes, rivers and coast.
Mark Eccles responded by saying that the LDNPA business plan was looking at access to lakes, rivers and coast and that the consultation mentioned by Chris Tomlin will explore the needs of the public. Focus will be on lakes and rivers rather than coast because of the likely impact of the Marine Bill on access to coast issues.
Malcolm Petyt mentioned that a working group had been set up, but there appeared to be confusion as to who was coordinating. It was confirmed that Ralph Henderson is the lead for the working group that will advise the forum.
296 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
296.1 There were no questions from the public.
297 THE LANDSCAPE IMPACT OF UPLAND PATH WORKS
297.1 Ken Taylor presented a report to the members on Access for All routes.
297.2 A presentation was given by Richard Fox, Fix the Fells Project Officer on the project’s approach to landscape improvement.
297.3 Questions and discussion arose from Ken’s report and Richard’s presentation and Ken’s report. Main questions/comments were:
· Larry Walters raised concerns that this Item had started with the issues of people with limited mobility but had focused instead on Fix the Fells. Here physical work was only considered to provide access for approximately 10% of people with limited mobility.
· John Atkinson commented that work to improve access, was on the higher level paths, which mainly consist of ridges and steep edges and therefore not feasible for Access for All.
· Ken Taylor remarked that paths took 2-3 years to blend into the landscape; however he asked how much monitoring takes place during this period.
· Malcolm Petyt urged that more visual monitoring should be carried out.
· Mark Eccles stated that audience development was a key part of the Fix the Fells programme. He used Kentmere Horseshoe as an example of how LDNPA have gone back willingly, two years later to re-do work on the path after receiving complaints from the public.
· Judith Moore stressed that it is important that people are provided with information as to why work is being undertaken.
· Ralph Henderson expressed his disappointment at there being no reference to his previous report. He also raised the Cumbria Magazine article on Blea Tarn. The article had raised much controversy leading to an apology from the publication.
· Mark Eccles discussed the Miles without Stiles ‘Top 25’. All paths were selected from a much larger list generated after extensive public consultation. All proposals, including new routes, have been through a rigorous section process. The Forum responded by saying that they were unaware of a Top 25. Geoff Wilson said the Forum would like to be involved in the future.
· Larry Walters posed the question of effective PR. Judith Moore commented that she had been approached by members of FLD concerning the Blea Tarn path, which resulted in a site visit with Richard Fox. Together Judith and Richard have written an article for FLD’s magazine. Overall opinion was that press releases and signs should be placed before work commences. Both LDNPA and NT agreed that they have not been pro-active enough in the past.
· Charles Flanagan said that Latrigg was not suitable for a broad range of limited mobility users and requested that LDNPA officers carry out a site visit. He also raised concerns regarding the urbanisation of the lower level areas in the Lake District. Aggregate is brought in and he felt signage was poor.
Geoff Wilson responded, saying that the Forum members need to decide if they wish to formally advise the LDNPA.
· Dave Robinson confirmed that he had recently taken on responsibility for the Miles Without Stiles programme. He addressed the issue of consultations. They are sought locally and include Parish Councils. He gave Elterwater to Skelwith as an example. Malcolm Petyt commented that unfortunately, the Forum had not been consulted on this particular project. Dave referred to another consultation, Hawkshead to Outgate, where the plans were withdrawn following concerns over landscape impact.
· Judith Moore suggested that the Forum would like to see the Fix the Fells 2009 work plan. Richard Fox is happy to forward.
· Amanda McCleery expressed concerns as to the number of people visiting Blea Tarn as there was little evidence of use when she visited. John Atkinson stated that the car park numbers had risen, especially for short stay.
Geoff Wilson asked if Richard Fox would take away what had been discussed, and come back to the Forum with an acknowledgement and response. Mark Eccles closed the discussion by requesting that Forum members bring any access issues to the LDNPA.
Geoff Wilson thanked Richard Fox for his presentation.
Agreed:
· Richard Fox to forward a 2009 Fix the Fells 2009 work plan.
· Richard Fox to respond to the questions highlighted and put forward suggestions as to how the process for scheme delivery could be improved, so that the LAF can comment.
298 LAKE DISTRICT WORLD HERITAGE PROJECT
298.1 Mike Clarke, director of the Lake District World Heritage Project gave a presentation on the project.
298.2 Within the presentation Mike reassured the Forum that no new organisation would be created and there should be no additional planning restrictions. He advised the group that The Royal Institute of British Architects also considered that there would be no new planning regulations in the Park due to the area’s current designation.
298.3 The next opportunity for the Lake District to bid for World Heritage Site status is 2012.
298.4 Mike informed the group that the public consultation had not raised any access issues.
298.5 Geoff Wilson concluded that no issues that were specific to ‘access’ had arisen from Mike Clarke’s presentation and that none had been identified by forum members; however, he requested Mike Clarke to be conscious of any impact on access that may emerge as the bid develops and asked that they should be brought to the forum if / as they arise.
298.6 Geoff Wilson thanked Mike Clarke for the presentation.
299 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF) CONSULTATION
299.1 Judith Moore thanked the members who had taken the time to look at this consultation. Judith was congratulated on an excellent set of papers for this agenda item.
299.2 Ralph Henderson raised a few concerns, he did not understand some of the statements in the response, Judith responded that these had been taken directly from the LDF. Ralph felt that improvements being put forward in some areas were not necessary. He was also concerned about the aging population and how their needs would be met in 20 years.
299.3 Judith reminded the Forum that they had been given an extension on their response and that comments needed to be in by tonight. Charles said that the document was difficult to understand. John Atkinson added that he felt ideas not plans were being put forward.
299.4 Charles Flanagan proposed that the paper written by Judith Moore goes to Authority. Wendy Emmett seconded it.
Agreed:
· Judith Moore to send the paper to the Lake District National Park Authority.
300 MANAGERS OF LAND WITH THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC ACCESS: SATISFACTION SURVEY
300.1 The forum decided that they would be involved in the preparation of a questionnaire for the repeat survey of land managers.
300.2 A working group consisting of; John Atkinson, Charles Flanagan, Ken Taylor and John Merrett was agreed to work with Dave Robinson. This group will report back at the next Forum meeting.
Agreed:
· John Atkinson, Charles Flanagan, Ken Taylor and John Merrett will form a working group to help in the preparation of the questionnaire.
· The group will report back to the Forum at their next meeting on 20 October 2008.
301 CUMBRIA COUNTRYSIDE ACCESS PARTNERSHIP
301.1 Item 10a. The next meeting will be 16 September. Charles Flanagan cannot attend. There is no substitute. Geoff Wilson will send apologies.
301.2 Item 10c. Geoff Wilson is to write to EAF regarding bicycles on trains. The Forum felt that there should be increased not reduced provision. Ken Taylor commented on the item concerning the proposed coast-to-coast mountain bike route to the effect that the benefits identified in the feasibility study (of which he was author) were dependent on a significant marketing effort.
301.3 Amanda McCleery questioned the existence of the ‘Access for All ‘sub group. Dave Robinson informed the Forum that Mark Tennant has a draft remit of the group.
David Robinson advised that the Cumbria Countryside Access Partnership’s Improvement Task Group (or CCAP’s ITG for short) is looking to set up an Access for All sub-group to advise us on all issues relating to limited mobility access and the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. It was noted that LAF members had agreed to dissolve the Better Access for All sub-group and serve on this CCA sub-group instead.
The next Improvement Task Group meeting is 3 September 2008 and it would be good to have a first meeting of the sub-group before that. David Robinson will canvas members for convenient meeting date.
Agreed:
· Geoff Wilson to send apologies to the CCA Partnership Board meeting on 16 September 2008.
· Geoff Wilson to write to England Access Forum regarding increased provision for pedal-cycles on trains.
302 REGENERATION OF WOODLAND ON ACCESS LAND
302.1 Forum approved the chair’s action in advising Wealth of Wildlife regarding proposed woodland regeneration at Braesteads, Grisedale.
303 PUBLIC PATH ORDER CONSULTATION FEEDBACK
303.1 Charles Flanagan requested that the LDNPA provide a final outcome of each consultation that the Forum deals with.
303.2 Referring to the consultation involving Hardknott Forest, further consultation is required.
303.3 Forum members appreciated the feedback and education that this agenda item had provided.
304 THE ACCESS IMPROVEMENT FUND ANNUAL REPORT
304.1 Three questions were posed to Dave Robinson:
1. Whose fund is it?
2. What is the source of the funds?
3. Who are the external partners giving funding?
Dave response was:
The AIF is funded by the LDNPA – it is used to support capital schemes within the Park that extend the countryside path network or make it more accessible for everyone to enjoy. It is administered by the LDNPA and, the £10504 in 2007 – 08, came from core funds.
The Fund is designed to encourage countryside managers and landowners to:
· Dedicate new rights of way and permissive paths.
· Improve path surfaces for cyclists and people with limited mobility.
· Remove or replace stiles, improve bridges and gates, and to make the countryside more accessible.
External partners vary depending on the jobs involved.
304.2 Forum members welcomed receipt of this report and requested that it be presented annually at the most appropriate time.
305 FORUM CONSULTATIONS