Agenda item

(A report by Chris Miller, Countryside Access and Definitive Map Manager,which outlines the role and duties of the County Council in Countryside Access Work)

The Committee received a report in connection with the role and duties of Lincolnshire County Council in Countryside Access work. Officers stated that following the recent review of staffing structures management responsibility for the service now rested with Environmental Services although highways still had a legal responsibility as rights of way were classified as being part of the highway.

Comments by the Committee included:-

1. Problems of access on the coastal footpath which ran from Horseshoe Point to Humberston following the erection of a notice by the Wild Fowler's Trust.

2. The proposal to install a national coastal footpath was welcomed. It was hoped that the part of the footpath between the North Norfolk and North East Lincolnshire coasts would be in place in 2018.

3. South District Holland Council gave their Members a sum of money to spend on individual projects in their own electoral Wards. Was it possible to use this money to help clear rights of way?

4. The improved relations between the Ramblers and the County Council was welcomed.

5. The coastline on the east coast was subject to erosion. Would the location of the coastal footpath be far enough inland to avoid it disappearing into the sea?

6. Parish Councils, through the Parish Paths Partnership, were the best option for ensuring that grass was cut at the most appropriate time.

7. The RSPB had advised not to mow on the sea banks during the nesting season. This problem could be overcome by mowing earlier in the season.

8. A similar problem to that which existed at Horseshoe Point in the north of the county also existed in the south of the county with the presence of cockle beds.

9. The coastal footpath had major economic potential for the county and would lead to increased visitor numbers, e.g. to Gibraltar Point. Was it proposed to make the coastal footpath wide enough to accommodate cyclists and pushchairs?

10. Erosion of the Viking Way needed to be addressed as this was the main footpath in Lincolnshire.

11. The lack of access from Sea Banks to Frampton Marsh.

12. The RSPB Visitor Centre at Frampton Marsh needed to be publicised as it was an excellent site for bird watching.

13. While it was appreciated that it was not located in the county there was an issue with access from the Wash to north Norfolk in the vicinity of the Sandringham estate.

14. The need to replace rotting timber planking on a right of way in the Swaby area of the Wolds.

15. Some of the footpath waymarker signs were missing in the Wolds and as this was a popular destination for walkers what was the inspection procedure to replace the missing signs?

Officers' responses to the comments included:-

1. Councillor A Bridges was requested to email details of the blockage of the footpath between Horseshoe Point and Humberston to officers.

2. Councillor C L T H Brewis's suggestion to spend some of the allocation of the money given to him by South Holland District Council in his electoral Ward on cutting grass on rights of way was welcomed and he was requested to let officers have the details of the rights of way being proposed to cut so resources could be redirected.

3. Natural England was advised about erosion problems on the east coast and Natural England also worked with the Shoreline Management Plan. Should erosion effect the coastal footpath then what was called "spreading room" would take place with the footpath moving inland.

4. As the coastal footpath would run along the sea bank in some locations landowners with cattle on the sea banks would need to be aware of the presence of walkers.

5. The Environment Agency had responsibility for mowing the sea banks and they were aware of conservation measures.

6. Natural England's duty did not extend beyond installing a coastal footpath and while the County Council could examine cycle usage it only give a steer to Natural England on its proposals.

7. The problems of erosion of the Viking Way and these were being examined.

8. It was hoped to address the problems of right of way access from Seabanks to Frampton Marsh.

9.  The procedure for missing footpath waymarker signs was addressed in the report.

The Committee welcomed the report and agreed that countryside access was important for tourism and the local economy especially when the new coastal footpath was established.

RESOLVED

(a) That the report and comments made by the Committee be noted.

(b) That a report on progress of the development of the coastal footpath be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.