The Area Board received updates
from community groups from local villages in relation to work being
completed on footpaths and bridleways. The following updates were
received:
Adam
Oakley, Chapmanslade:
- An overview of the
Rights of Way network in Chapmanslade
was provided, which included circa 34 footpaths, 3 bridleways, 1
by-way, 30 stiles and more than 20 kissing gates and 1 bridle
gate.
- The maintenance and
care of the network was outlined, with it noted that there was an
informal group within Chapmanslade
where villages adopt a path they regularly use, reporting problems
through word of mouth, Facebook or the MyWilts App.
- There is a group of
Secret Stile Fixers to resolve issues quickly as well as working
with local landowners to get issues resolved.
- A detailed map of the
current kissing gates was provided, with it noted that installation
would lead to greater footfall and increased accessibility for
older people.
- It was outlined that
volunteer labour, community spirit, and parish council funding had
been used to make improvements.
- The challenges
experienced in Chapmanslade were
outlined, including that Byway (CHAP31) and Bridleway (CHAP37) had
experienced water erosion to the point where many users were now
unable to pass. It was hoped these could be restored and open for
all users.
- Another challenge was
that the in summer USCU4, CORY20 and WARM4 could be used to travel
to Warminster however in winter these became too wet. It was hoped
that a hard surface could be installed for use all year
round.
Cllr
Neil Carpenter, Corsley:
- An overview of the
Corsley area was provided, including that it was made up of 7
hamlets with a combined total of 28 miles of roads. Furthermore,
there were 49 Rights of Way in the area with some running along
Longleat Estate and others connecting to Warminster.
- It was outlined that
though there was a total of 14 equestrian locations within the
village, however a lot of riders tended to put their horses in
boxes to travel elsewhere because of safety concerns.
- The concept of
improving the Health and Wellbeing of residents was discussed, with
it noted that footpaths and horse related matters were covered at
each Parish Council meeting.
- It was stated that
there was a large road transecting the village which was dangerous
and was used by circa 8000 trucks a day.
- The way of working in
Corsley was outlined, with it noted that there was an approach to
address issues from the bottom up, as well as having template
letters which could be sent to landowners to escalate
issues.
- It was outlined that
there were areas in which Corsley needed help, including
a number of public Rights of Way that
need Wiltshire Council to sort out before a deadline, work to
ensure that CORY20 was usable to connect Corsley to Warminster and
also to find a way to enable users to get across the A362 in the
centre of the village carefully.
- It was stated that
Corsley Parish Council was set to create an asset register to show
the capital value of the work being completed.
After the updates, there was
time for the following questions and points to be made:
- It was stated that
the Business Network would be happy to investigate corporate
sponsorship to help open out the routes if evidence could be
provided.
- Caroline LeQuesne,
Engagement and Partnership Lead outlined that Wiltshire Council has
a lot of big contracts which include social value, which the Area
Board was attempting to leverage using volunteer hours and
equipment. It was suggested that the community groups contact the
Engagement and Partnership team with a list to identify potential
pieces of work that could be conducted with the assistance of such
leverage.