Update January 2022

Pre Christmas a small group with their families cleared a 4 meter section on path 25 which had become difficult to pass without ripping clothing, our thanks to the group and their families. Our thanks also to Brook Farm TC who have finished replacing stiles, which whilst not kissing gates are accessible in that they are no higher than walking up your stairs and have supports for assistance. I will organise a thank you card to send to them.

In the next couple of weeks I plan to draft an action plan for 2022, withfootpath20, from Oak Hill Road up to the school being a main priority. It will involve new stiles as well as signposting and is a beautiful and interesting walk. We also need to start looking at the west of the village with walks beyond the church towards Passingford Bridge to open up a clear route which avoids the road from the Rabbits to Albyns Lane. That and keeping the vegetation down, we have lots to keep us occupied.

Footpath Report September Meeting 2021

- A few members of the team have been out labelling again, whilst on general walks.

- I have asked the Localism Officer about dates for the brush cutter course. It is a 2 day course in September and

she advises its someone who regularly attends the clearing sessions.

- A neighbour from Sundown, Bournebridge Lane, has kindly cleared an overgrown section of the western part

of footpath 20 which runs alongside their property. This opens into the fields between Bournebridge Lane and

Stapleford Road giving access to a beautiful set of walks, including up to the school via footpaths 23. (which

runs from Bournebridge Lane to the school) The eastern part of footpath 20 still remains an issue and I have

emailed the relevant person at highways, as the landowner has agreed for stile replacements through the small

holding, and we need the enforcement officer to contact Fieldend/ Ralwyn about their old fence and overgrown

vegetation encroaching over the path and creating a hazard, awaiting a reply. This section of the path enables

walkers to bypass a difficult section of road as it cuts the corner off, where cars speed both on Bournbridge Lane

and Oak Hill Road.

- I have suggested we do the newly opened up part of footpath 20 with the Localism Officer, as it will require

two way marker posts and not too much clearance. Localism Officer has been asked for a date for this.

- We also need a date to clear footpath 25 as the hawthorn has grown nearly over the path, near where the

miniature ponies, mule and horses are. I am suggesting 2.30pm Wednesday 1st September for this. It will be

1-2 hours tops, obviously quicker with a bigger team. I have prioritised this as you can only get through parts by

breathing in and walking sideways!

- I have emailed TC Brook Farm regarding the blocked path at the back of the menage and again awaiting a

response. I as good as said if we don’t hear from them we will clear it at our convenience, but lets give them

chance to reply. This will be a prickly one as the brambles have totally grown over at the back of the menage,

but is a key path and needs doing. I am suggesting Wed 15th September, 2pm again a Wednesday as I know a

couple of regular clearers can’t make Thursday.

- I have informed the Localism Officer about footpath 13 where we placed a disc on a white electric marker

post. The land owner has removed the disc, but has mended the gate and put a stile up, replacing the disc on the

new stile. Unfortunately the new stile is not accessible so has indirectly blocked the path which we cleared.

Footpath Diary

Starting the summer season

Catching up after the winter

Plans, projects and progress