Agenda and minutes

CF welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Apologies were received from John Howells, Maggie Wright, George Keeping and Piers Lindley.

The members confirmed that there were no declarations of interest.

There were no items.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2024 were agreed, subject to the following amendment:

Page 2, Update on Highway Design Guide, final bullet point should read ‘Developers to be asked to avoid using blue paint’.

Update on Highway Design Guide

MM referred to the Update on Highway Design Guide and stated that there are 18 documents relating to the review and a quick search for references to ‘footpaths’ shows that they are mentioned in only 8 of them.  MM asked if there was an official follow-up to this as the working group did not meet to make a formal submission to the Leicestershire Highway Design Guide Review consultation.

VA made a comment regarding verge, cycleways having provision for horse riders. 

RD and MM to meet to send a formal response on behalf of the committee.

Recruitment to the Forum

CF/RD/EM to meet to look at advertising through the correct channels who has an interest in recreational rights of way.  EM reported that he had carried out a recruitment drive via Parish Councils recently.

EM reported that there would be a report at the next meeting on developing cycling and walking infrastructure and funding going forward. 

Discussion took place on the best way of using Public Rights of Way.

Further information is available on the Council’s website.

CF introduced Tony Brookes, PROW Inspector to the meeting.  TB gave a summary of his role within the PROW Team and work carried out to prioritise the routes. 

Discussion took place on landowner responsibility in terms of PROWs and TB talked about the process for reporting a problem on a public right of way via the LCC website and the problem will be determined whether an LCC or landowner issue.

SB asked about volunteer foothpath maintenance.  EM said that there was already a group for the Leicestershire Round but that further dialogue via the newsletter could be used as a way forward.  SB to contact Ellen Senior about this.

Discussion took place on landowners’ obligations to keep public rights of way clear of obstructions.  JH said she would attend a further meeting of the Forum from a comms perspective to circulate to wider channels to develop a campaign to local landowners and partners.

JH also added that the Choose How You Move website was a useful tool for social media channels, roadshows etc to highlight the legal requirements of landowners. 

a)    Planning and Travel

b)    Lost Ways

c)    Other Group Representation

Planning and Travel

RD reported on the proposed Oadby Cyclops junction which was a very complex scheme.

Lost Ways

SB raised concern about the backlog of work on modification orders due to the cut off date being brought into law.  CF reported that he had written to the Chief Executive on this matter.  RD suggested inviting a member of the Legal Team to attend a Forum meeting.

Other Planning

VA raised the potential building on fields at Stretton Hall as affected 5 PROWs.  A report was being put together. 

Charnwood Forest Geopark

The Group had applied to the lottery board for an extension and they have matched funding up to £40k.

There was no further business.

The next meeting of the Leicestershire Local Access Forum will take place on…

Wednesday 8 January 2025 at 2.00 pm.