LAF 08/13
Suffolk Local Access Forum
Title: Minutes
Meeting Date: 10 July 2008
Author/Contact: Jill Christley
Minutes of meeting held at Snape Village Hall on Thursday 3rd April 2008.
Present:David Barker (vice-chairman) (DB), Angela Brown, Rosemary Clarke, Bryan Collen, KirstyCoutts (KC), Julie Craven, Bryan Freemantle (BF), Barry Hall, Sandy Martin (SM), Gordon Merfield, Mary Mitson-Woods, Monica Pipe, Jill Stewart, MikeTaylor (MT), Mark Timms, Keith Turner, John Wayman, Anthony Wright (AWr).
SCC Officers Present: Jill Christley (minutes), David Falk,Catherine Osborne, Andrew Woodin.
Speaker: Mike Steen, Environment Agency
- Welcome and apologies.
Apologies: John Pearson, (Chairman), Norman Southgate, AnnetteWhybrow. In John Pearson’s absence David Barker chaired the meeting.
- Minutes of last meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as an accurate record.
Matters Arising
Andrew Woodin confirmed that following the last local access forum he contacted Wimpey homes to request whether they would submit an alternative route for an upgraded footpath. No proposal was put forward by Wimpey’s and consequently SCC officers are now persuing the upgrading on a compulsory basis, although the county council will consider any proposal Wimpey’s may subsequently wish to put forward. Andrew Woodin noted that if orders were to be compulsory the county council must make a good case, which he believes it has, and be clear on the procedures. Compensation may be payable in compulsory orders. Officers expect to be in a position to confirm whether compulsory orders are to be made by the end of May.
- Introduction of new members
The forum welcomed two new members, Councillor Rosemary Clarke and Councillor Sandy Martin, who gave a brief introduction of themselves:
Councillor Rosemary Clarke is a CountyCouncillor and works for a local farmer. Born in Ipswich and living all her life in Suffolk, Rosemary is keen to learn more about Rights of Way.
Councillor Sandy Martin is an Ipswich Borough Councillor who lives in Ipswich, enjoys cycling and walking and is interested in preserving and improving Rights of Way in Suffolk. Sandy is also a county councillor and sits on the Rights of Way sub-committee.
- SLAF letter re A14 Tothill and Highways Agency response
After the last meeting SLAF wrote to Tom Harris MP, who had responded through the Highways Agency (see LAF 08/08). AW had followed this up with Mr Jobling at the Highways Agency, and established that previous retrospective bridges had cost between £730,000 and £927,000. A copy of Mr Jobling’s follow-up email is included with these minutes.
DB had spoken to the Haughley Bends project manager who has offered to let SLAF see the road being constructed. DB will set up a meeting with any members who are interested.
BF reported that the asphalt being used is dangerous for horses, as it becomes slippery with use. The British Horse Society had written to the Highways Agency expressing their concern.
AWr (on behalf of SCC/Sustrans) had met with Atkins to identify access needs on the A12, A11 and A14 trunk roads. There are 20 crossings in total, not all suitable for equestrians.
SM felt that all crossings should be suitable for all users.
- Mike Steen, Environment Agency (Blyth Estuary Strategy)
The forum welcomed Mr Steen, who gave an overview of the Blyth Estuary Strategy:
With sea levels rising, land sinking, ageingdefences and environmental and engineering issues with the natural environment and a reduction in funding, it was made clear that is was not possible to maintain current defences. The decision was therefore taken to devise a strategy taking these factors into account.
Computer simulations were designed that showed what would happen if no action was taken to repair current defences.Using these simulations short- (5-10 year), med- (20-50 year) and long-term (100 year) strategies were developed.
Since the initial strategy was devised, Government funding has been further reduced and the Environment Agency has had no choice but to modify their strategy to the one currently proposed, although they are still trying to find other solutions.
The forum expressed its concern about Raydon Marsh, and the economic implications of allowing it to flood.Mr Steen explained that current economics donot allow repairsto the wall. The Environment Agency has DEFRAguidelines for calculating cost against benefitanalysis,which takes into account the cost of re-building/modifying roads, such as the A1095 and A12, and the economic impact on local businesses and industry. Mr Steen respondedEnvironment Agency must consider the net value to thewhole country – not just Suffolk, and there is not enough money to fund all flood defences in the country, the EA CEO regularly pleads the case for more funding to the government.
The Forum agreed to object to the proposals, while simultaneously considering how the changes would affect Rights of Way.
The Forum responded that the cost benefit analysis ignores the tourist economy and leaves the county with nothing, and the cost of flooding to the A12 and A1095 is very high.
The Forum felt that Suffolk needed a managed retreat that would give more time to prepare for the changes, and would allow SCC to establish alternative Rights of Way on the coast.
It was agreed that SLAF should join forces with other groups that have concerns about coastal erosion eg. Norfolk LAF and Broads LAF to raise issues on a national level and address to DEFRA.
The next step for the Environment Agency was to continue looking into other possibilities, consider what to do about the A1095 and A12, and to get the proposal signed off, although the process for this was not clear.
Mr Steen offered to take a group from SLAF to look at practical issues affecting the Blyth Estuary.
Mike Steen can be contacted at the Environment Agency: e-mail:
ACTION AW/DF – contact Norfolk and Broads LAFs with a view to joining forces in opposing the proposals and developing a joint response at a high level.
- Parishes without Public RoW
At a meeting of the SLAF working group comprising David Barker, Julie Craven, Catherine Osborne and David Falk on6February 08 over 40 parishes with limited RoW, each with in excess of 300 parishioners was identified. CO had been tasked with identifying a smaller, more manageable number of parishes on which to focus. This had proved difficult as‘Parishes without Public RoW’ had not been clearly defined. Many factors need to be taken into account: Where is access needed? What constitutes lack of access? Local demand, cooperation of land managers and resources.
AW explained that creating RoW can be extremely costly and time-consuming, and felt that work needed to be community-driven and concentrated in areas where residents have shown an interest/need for RoW. He suggested that it would be more effective to focus on areas with historic claims and amenable landowners that might quickly result in new RoW, and to do this as part of other ROWIP improvement priority, eg. creating better cycling and equestrian links.
BC felt that access to local amenities, particularly providing opportunities to walk to school was more important than focussing on parishes without RoW. The Forum agreed, and suggested that Area RoW Officers would have local knowledge ofthe need for new routes.
ACTION AW/DF consult Area RoW Officers and report back to July meeting.
KC told the Forum that the Haven Gateway project had identified areas where RoW are needed and suggested they may have funding for access to green infrastructure.
- Open Access arrangements for closures 2008/09
MT reported that a meeting to discuss restrictions on Open Access land was attended by representatives from Natural England, RSPB, SCC, Elveden Estates, Ramblers Association SCDC and SLAF.
It had been agreed that short-term restrictions are necessary to protect endangered birds in the area. The following extract from LAF 08/11 describes the general points affecting restrictions on Open Access land. This document has been withdrawn from public circulation due to the sensitive nature of its content:
National policy:
- If stone curlew present in three of past ten years then restriction should apply.
- The main research to inform policy on Stone curlew was undertaken in Wessex in 2006.
- Disturbance on roosting sites has not been considered as part on this policy. Requires further debate/clarification on impacts.
Six-Year Direction: Being sought primarily to assist with the admin process. Assured that this would have no adverse impact on full consultation.
Dogs: are a major disturbance factor – even if on lead. Therefore wardening is a key issue. NE confirmed their support.
Consultation: NE gave an assurance that for future consultations an appropriate time-line will be allocated for the process. Stated that the LAF would require all information, including site specific data, for a January meeting. NE confirmed that this would present no problems.
Nesting Periods: Advised that birds may nest early, and then nest again on a different nest site later in the year. Explored potential to reduce closure at back-end (Oct) of direction. Ecologist present at the meeting had serious concerns that this could adversely affect late breeding birds. Swayed by this debate.
- General Information Paper
SCC briefed the Forum on document LAF 08/12.
- National Access Forum
This should cover national issues of interest to SLAF, eg. coastal access and erosion. Natural England will re consult to recruit members.
- LAF Manual
Natural England are preparing a handbook for LAFs.
- Suffolk/Norfolk/Broads LAF workshop
SLAF support proposals to hold a workshop facilitated by Natural England.
ACTION DF to discuss with Nick Sanderson (Broads LAF) and Peter Barber (Norfolk LAF).
- LTP schemes for 2008/09
SM felt the RoW network should be improved when urban development is planned. DF explained this was possible under Section 106 agreements and opportunities for funding would also be sought through other avenues e.g. Haven Gateway and Access to Nature.
SLAF expressed concern that future SCC STP accessibility targets may increasingly favour urban areas at the expense of the rural community and the development of sustainable access.
- Lost Ways update
AW advised the Forum that the ‘Lost Ways’ project had been suspended. This means that the 2026 closure of the Definitive Map has also been suspended until the implications of the legal position are better known.
- Dates & Venues of Future Meetings
4.00pm on Thursday 10 July 2008, Gainsborough B Room, Cedars Hotel, Needham Road, Stowmarket. This is a change from the previously published venue.
4.00pm on Thursday 2 October 2008, Forestry Commission, Oak Lodge, High Lodge, Thetford.
4.00pm on Thursday 15 January 2009, venue to be advised.
- Any Other Business
No other business was discussed.
- Public question time
- Mr Turtill told the Forum that he was making an application for Lottery Funding to finance development of the Definitive Map for Ipswich. MrTurtill requested that Forum ask SCC to support his application, and asked whether SCC would match the funds raised from the Lottery.
AW explained that SCC had a statutory obligation to develop the Definitive Map, and therefore it would be unlikely lottery funds would support such a project and it would be inappropriate for SCC to support MrTurtill’s application.
Mr Turtill expressed concern that no work was being done on the Ipswich Definitive Map, and was told by AW that a Definitive Map Officer was working full-time on the project.
ACTION SCC to update Forum at July meeting on Ipswich Definitive Map progress.
- Mr Mahler asked SLAF whether any action had been taken against the landowners of Brick Kiln Farm, who had erected illegal signs on Open Access land. Mr Mahler was also concerned about waste being dumped on the land by the landowner.
Mr Mahler was advised that as this seemed to be very much a local issue it could not be tackled by the Local Access Forum.
CO was able to explain to Mr Mahler that the obstructions had been removed, and that under current Open Access legislation the landowner could not be compelled to remove the waste. CO will clarify the legal position, take any possible action and report back to Mr Mahler.
END