Kent County CounCil Countryside Access Service · Countryside Access Service 2 AnnuAl report 2008/09 introduction There are 5 key areas of activity in delivering the Countryside Access

Kent County CounCil

Countryside Access Serviceannual report 2008/09

Countryside Access Service

2

AnnuAl report 2008/09

introductionThere are 5 key areas of activity in delivering the Countryside Access Service. These are protection, maintenance and enhancement of Kent’s Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network; management of the PRoW Definitive Map and Statement; the Village Greens and Commons Registration Service; promotion and development of Countryside Access (including management of Open Access Land); and the recent integration of Countryside Management Partnerships.

The demand for walking, riding and enjoying the countryside is on the increase. The popularity of the Explore Kent website is testament to this, as indeed is the noticeable increase in space devoted by the weekend broadsheets to walking, and ‘The Great Outdoors’. Although the majority of our services are statutory, the huge demand for our services almost goes over and above our duty to provide them. This is a clear indication of the increasing awareness of all the benefits they offer especially with regard to health, the rural economy and integrated transport.

2008-09 has been an exceptional year for the Countryside Access Sevice (CAS). The innovative and groundbreaking approach CAS adopts has ensured Kent remains at the top of the premier league. We are at the forefront of managing Public Rights of Way, providing the Common Land and Village Greens Service and promoting the wide range of benefits enjoyed by accessing and enjoying Kent’s iconic landscape.

The list of achievements last year is long and documented in this report, but I would like to highlight 3 in particular. Our 10 year strategy, the Countryside Access Improvement Plan (CAIP), won the coveted ‘most Enterprising and Innovative Improvement Plan in the country’ award from Natural England. We launched an Education Pack for Key Stage 2 pupils which was distributed to all primary schools in Kent and has been extremely popular with head teachers and pupils alike! Especially impressive, our website, www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent received 690,000 page views last year and is still the second most popular section of the whole Kent County Council site.

Mike OverbekeHead – Countryside Access Service


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achievements in 2008/09

Further details about each of the objectives listed below can be found on pages 88 to 90 of the CAIP.

M1 A set of design standards for path furniture and promotion of countryside access were produced and promoted.

M2 Signposts specification was redesigned to include informative symbols and destination information.

94.9% of PRoW now signed from the road in accordance with the Best Value Performance Indicator 198.

M4 Innovative new permit system implemented to manage access to a byway at Bredhurst Woods (used by all traffic) to reduce environmental damage.

M5 Reduced the amount of damaged/missing bridges by 15%.

M6 Removed 395 stiles from the PRoW network and replaced with more accessible gaps or gates.

M7 Carried out a Crops and Ploughing campaign in East Kent which saw legal compliance from landowners (routes being reinstated) increase from 40 to 80%.

The CAS delivered £830,000 of capital projects to improve the asset and infrastructure. Projects included improving path surfaces, replacing stiles with gaps or gates, replacing and repairing bridges and carrying out specific campaigns such as installing better latches on gates to improve accessibility. The CAS also received 4,434 fault reports from the public ranging from problems with overgrown vegetation, broken stiles, missing signposts, through to temporary or permanent obstructions. Each fault report was assessed and actioned as appropriate. 50% of the faults reported have been resolved with a further 30% being actively worked on.

HigHligHted project‘Countryside Access Design Standards’

To lead the way on improving the standards of countryside access furniture such as stiles and gates on PRoW and other publicly accessible greenspace, a series of design and construction guides have been produced. A total of 9 information sheets were produced and promoted

setting out the responsibility and required standards for kissing gates, pedestrian gates, bridle gates, bridges, signs and waymarks, ramps, gaps, stiles, and promoting countryside access to the public.

The standards have been sent to all key access providers who are legally responsible for the maintenance of any furniture on a public path over their land. The standards are also available from Kent County Council’s website. In addition to a general press release, we worked in partnership with the National Farmers Union and the Kent Downs AONB to inform as many landowners as possible.

Well maintained countryside accessOne of the key issues that came out during consultation work for the CAIP was the need to improve the quality of existing routes and especially the furniture found on them. A higher standard of path furniture and more informative destination signs helps to encourage people to explore the countryside and coast with greater confidence.

The following pages are a guide to the design and construction standards that Kent County Council (KCC) and its partners should achieve to ensure that all countryside paths and public green space are accessible and offer visitors a safe and enjoyable experience, whilst respecting the needs of landowners.

Both landowners and public bodies have a role to play in the management of Kent’s public path and green space network. The following information explains who is responsible for what, and the legal requirements we must all adhere to.

General information:

• Landowners are legally responsible for the maintenance of any furniture such as a stile or gate on public rights of way over their land;

• The erection of any new structure on a public right of way must have prior legal authorisation from KCC. This does not apply if a structure is being repaired or replaced;

• KCC is obliged to provide a grant of a minimum of 25% of the costs of replacing, or repairing, stiles and gates on public rights of way. KCC usually does this by providing the materials at a subsidised rate;

• All structures should be set back from vehicular roads for a distance of at least 4000mm for bridleways and at least 2000mm for footpaths;

• When installing new structures, or repairing existing ones, please remember that we should be making our paths and public green space as accessible as possible. The order of preference should always be gap, gate and lastly a stile;

• Where landowners offer to replace stiles with gaps or gates on public rights of way, KCC will consider increasing its financial contribution to the installation costs;

• All standards are designed with both public and animal safety in mind.

The Countryside Access Service is always happy to provide advice and guidance. If you require further technical or legal advice on countryside access issues please contact us by;

email; [email protected]

Call: 08458 247 247

Write to; The Countryside Access Service. 2nd Floor Invicta House, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XX.

Countryside Access Design StandardsGaps, Gates, Stiles, Ramps, Bridges and Promotion

“I have just walked a 5 mile

circular route and didn’t see

a single stile, they were all

kissing gates. Thank you

and congratulations. Please

continue with the programme

to make access easier for

everyone.”

Visitor to Kent


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D2 Numerous technical representations were made to Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Sevenoaks, Swale, Tonbridge & Malling, and Tunbridge Wells planning authorities who are at various stages of producing their Local Development Frameworks (a series of documents setting out how planning will be managed in the district area).

D3 Over 300 responses have been made to planning applications seeking improvements to the quality and provision of the PRoW network and public green space.

Support and technical guidance was provided to Groundwork and Sustrans to produce a feasibility study and submit a grant application to the Department for Communities and Local Government for the creation of a new Thameside Cycle Track.

D4 Works were completed on improving Footpath DS17 and upgrading Footpath NU14 to Bridleway status in order to provide better walking and cycling routes for local communities to access Ebbsfleet and Northfleet Stations.

A Footpath creation has been completed to extend Footpath CW15 at Seasalter, near Whitstable, which links a new property development with the existing community.

D5 A new cycle track and footway have been provided along the old A2 corridor to the south of Gravesend which forms part of the A2 Activity Park project.

HigHligHted project‘NU14 Springhead Path upgrade’An existing Public Footpath at Springhead, Northfleet has been upgraded to Bridleway status to provide a much improved and largely traffic free route for local communities to walk or cycle to Ebbsfleet and Northfleet Rail Stations. The Countryside Access Service provided technical and implementation expertise to the project partnership which included Southern Water, Gravesham Borough Council, Land Securities, and Green Grid. The new multi-user route was officially opened on 1 March 2009 and is now being used daily by local train users.

Growth and developmentThe protection of PRoW from industrial and residential development is an important issue across Kent and especially in North Kent and around Ashford. Opportunities have been taken to enhance the existing public rights of way network and provision of open green space as well as seeking new facilities to reduce traffic congestion, create better links in the network, and improve safety.

“The new cycle route is

fantastic to use and safe for

my children, especially as we

can cycle all the way off road

to Shorne Country Park.”

Resident from Gravesend

“I am favourably impressed by

the generally high standard

to which the footpaths have

been built and maintained.”

Resident from Ashford


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Further details about each of the objectives listed below can be found on page 93 of the CAIP.

N2 Creation of 2 new bridleways to provide a link between two existing byways at Halfpence Lane, Cobham forming part of a circular route.

Upgrade of Footpath MR24 to a bridleway at Blue Bell Hill allowing equestrians and cyclists to continue their journey.

N3 Provision of new and improved routes along the corridor of the old A2 between Pepperhill and Shorne Woods Country Park.

Partnership delivery of a new link for the Darent Valley Path for cyclists and pedestrians under Princes Road, Dartford, linking Central Park and Brooklands Lakes and providing a safer route for the Darent Valley Path.

HigHligHted project‘Bridleway creations at Halfpence Lane’Research undertaken for the CAIP uncovered a strong demand for the creation of multi-user routes and many suggestions came forward for improving the local PRoW network. One such suggestion involved the creation of two new bridleways at Halfpence Lane to link two existing byways. After negotiation the Woodland Trust and Gravesham Borough Council agreed to the dedication of these routes over their land making available a total of 1.5 kilometres of new routes. Located between the large urban populations of Medway and Thames Gateway the routes now provide a valuable equestrian/mountain biking resource.

The bridleways also form part of the new Darnley Trail, a circular 10 kilometre route developed to link Shorne Woods Country Park, Ashenbank Woods (which link to Jeskyns) and Cobham Park. The new paths also create a shorter multi-user circuit from the village of Cobham, providing a safe off-road route alongside Halfpence Lane.

A more sensible networkResearch for the CAIP highlighted the need for a better connected network to give greater opportunity for using public rights of way for recreation and leisure, and for linking residential areas to local schools, services and the surrounding countryside. In places the network is very fragmented. The creation of new and upgraded routes has started to address this issue and provide increased accessibility for horse riders and cyclists.

“Thank you for your sterling

work. It [a new bridleway]

really is a pleasure to ride

on and I am sure most

appreciated by walkers and

cyclists too.”

Horse rider in West Kent

“The final result is a triumph and all those

involved are to be congratulated. Having visited

the site myself shortly after completion, I can

report that the tunnel is a delight to use and the

designers and contractors are to be

commended for their work on this project.” Regional Director, Sustrans


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K1 The waiting time for commencing requested changes to the Definitive Map (the legal record of PRoW) has been reduced to less than 12 months.

Phase 1 (digitising the data) of the ambitious project to produce a new 1:2500 scale copy of the Definitive Network Map has been completed.

Definitive Maps have been produced for the excluded areas of Dover, Gravesend, Maidstone, Sheerness and Tunbridge Wells, adding over 100 kilometres (over 60 miles) to Kent’s PRoW network.

K2 The Explore Kent website has received significant upgrades with new and interactive content which has increased its popularity with an average monthly 80,000 page views.

K3 Explore Kent brand guidelines and technical standards have been produced and the brand has been successfully adopted by the Faversham Enterprise Partnership, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and Kent Highway Services.

2 editions of the highly acclaimed Explore Kent Magazine have been produced with a circulation of 70,000 each, including a copy inserted into the November 2008 edition of Kent Life.

A series of successful campaigns have been delivered to promote access to the countryside and coast to a wide audience through the Explore Kent website and printed material.

K4 Improved information on circular walks, cycling, horse riding and country parks has been produced, distributed and very well received.

K5 Over 1,200 Walks in Kent Packs have been supplied to all East Kent Hospitals in partnership with the National Health Service.

HigHligHted project‘Faversham Walking Tourism Initiative’The aim of this ground-breaking project was to develop Faversham as a ‘centre of excellence’ for walking tourism. In order to achieve this, the Countryside Access Service and the Faversham Enterprise Partnership established a new partnership with Swale Borough Council, the Faversham Area Tourism Association, and a consortium of local businesses, including Shepherd Neame Brewery. The Partnership developed and promoted 4 new co-branded circular walks, supported by a voucher scheme offering visitors discounts at many local tourism businesses. Significant investment was made in improving Faversham’s public rights of way network. Results from the project have been staggering. Many of the public rights of way in the area have seen a 133% increase in footfall after the project’s first year. During the same period income to the local economy, as a result of this project, rose to 264% above the income target set for the area by the Faversham Enterprise Partnership.

Knowing what’s out thereResearch has informed us of the need to provide high quality information to increase people’s awareness and understanding of the opportunities available for healthy outdoor recreation. Our work in this area has added value to the rural economy and added to the enjoyment of living in or visiting Kent.

“We’re really impressed

with Explore Kent and it will

certainly be very appealing to

our readership.”

Kent Life Editorial Team


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ST1 Research from the CAIP identified safe road crossings as an important issue for people using the PRoW network. All road crossings where safety needs improving have been mapped and will be improved on a scheme-by-scheme basis.

A section of Footpath HE74 at Elham has been diverted to provide an improved crossing point between two PRoW over the heavily trafficked Canterbury Road.

The CAS has worked with local community groups to resolve issues of security and safety on PRoW at St Michaels, Tenterden.

ST3 27 routes to schools across Kent have been improved to support sustainable travel and the ‘Healthy Schools’ initiative.

HigHligHted project‘Routes to Schools’To help reduce the impact of the school run, the CAS has improved and promoted the use of local rights of way as a means of sustainable travel with added health benefits.

Funds were successfully bid for from the Local Transport Plan and topped up with additional Capital money allowing improvement and promotion of 27 routes to schools across Kent. Much of this work has involved improving the condition of routes by cutting back vegetation and providing better surfaces.

At Riverhead Infant School in Sevenoaks, an informal route was legally created as a public footpath with support from the Parish Council, so that pupils are able to continue to use it to get to school safely. The walking bus route makes use of the new public footpath.

improving safetyThe CAIP identifies that safety is an important issue for people, particularly on crossings over roads with fast or large volumes of traffic. Projects have been delivered to address such concerns and the provision of more or improved walking and cycling routes to schools have reduced car congestion and concerns associated with the ‘school run’.

“On behalf of the parents who

walk to school, thank you so

much for the quick response

and clearing the bridge to

enable us to pass safely.”

Ashford Resident

“I just wanted to say how

much I appreciate the (Walks

for All) leaflets...I was pleased

to discover the series of walks

in the Explore Kent magazine

and also on the KCC website.”

Parish Council Clerk, West Kent


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E1 The Countryside Access Service has attended Ashford Farmers Market to offer an advisory service for landowners and to disseminate supporting information such as the Countryside Access Design Standards.

E2 CAS has responsibility for Open Access Land where people can walk freely and not be confined to PRoW. Work was completed with the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to promote the Open Access Land site at Western Heights in Dover through provision of Interpretation Panels, improved signage and resting places.

E3 The Countryside Code is now promoted on all relevant material.

A new Education Toolkit was produced and distributed to schools across Kent and Medway.

E4 A Climate Change training day was attended by all Service staff.

HigHligHted project‘Education Toolkit’In a bid to raise awareness of our countryside, the Countryside Access Service produced the Educational Toolkit for all Kent primary schools to use.

The toolkit, the first of its kind in the UK, relates directly to Key Stage 2 and contains informative activity sheets and valuable learning resources covering public rights of way and countryside access. Each activity sheet provides information on various subjects such as managing and using public rights of way, the countryside code, caring for the countryside, the environment and transport.

The easy to use toolkit is divided into sections with learning objectives, worksheets, extension exercises and useful links to other resources. There are also fun exercises for pupils such as map reading and the countryside treasure hunt that encompass fundamental national curriculum subject areas such as literacy, mathematics and geography. In addition, a handy CD-ROM containing all relevant teaching resources are also included in the toolkit.

The toolkit was sent to 430 primary schools in Kent and additionally to 100 primary schools in Medway. On receipt of the pack one headteacher commented… “.. I hope your good work continues to support future generations in looking after and accessing our beautiful countryside.”

education and respect for the countrysideThe Countryside Access Service has continued to provide high quality information to help promote opportunities to enjoy the Kent countryside and coast as well as protect landowner interests and the habitats and landscapes that make Kent so unique and popular.

“[The toolkit] is a lovely way

to back up the national

curriculum for literacy,

numeracy and geography

and also the huge area of

emotional well being and

healthy living.”

Vivienne Resch, Head

Teacher, Slade Primary

School


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S1 East Kent and Mid Kent offices have been merged into a new purpose built site at Penstock Hall Farm, East Brabourne, offering modern energy efficient accommodation with good on-site storage for materials.

S2 The Service’s Asset Management System (CAMS) has been further developed and is now available and used by all staff.

The popular Walks in Kent series of circular walks have been made available to download onto iPods and other media players.

S3 The Executive Steering Group for the CAIP has been established and held its first meeting. Members represent key areas including health, sustainable transport and tourism, and they help monitor and contribute to the delivery of the CAIP.

S5 S6

All staff received thorough training on Diversity and Customer Care.

S7 £500,000 was secured from the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust for the ‘Access to the Countryside and Coast Project’ which will see the Service working with the NHS to address health inequalities in East Kent.

S8 The Countryside Access Wardens scheme has been successfully launched with 30 wardens now working on the PRoW network across Kent.

The Kent Countryside Access Forum has advised the Service on a number of key issues – Shared Use Routes, the proposed Coastal Trail around Kent – as well as monitored and advised on the delivery of the CAIP.

HigHligHted project‘Countryside Access Wardens’A team of 30 Countryside Access Wardens have now been trained and equipped to help look after their local public rights of way. They help do this by:

• Improving waymarking.

• Clearing vegetation.

• Reporting issues of a serious nature to staff for prompt attention.

The support from volunteers is invaluable as it helps improve and keep the PRoW network open and provides additional resource to manage PRoW across the county.

Working smarter and improving customer serviceCAS regularly reviews systems and processes and has invested in technology and new accommodation to improve customer service and efficiency.

“Thank you for the wonderful

work you undertook clearing

the footpath.”

Kent Resident

“It was a great training day.

And I’m looking forward to

helping improve the network.”

Countryside Access Warden


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countryside access improvement plan

The Service received a highly-coveted ‘most enterprising and innovative’ award from Natural England for its 10-year statutory plan, which promotes walking, cycling and horse riding in Kent.

In Natural England’s report, the plan was applauded as ‘Excellent - exceeding requirements and demonstrating good practice’ and it was commended for having a clear vision.

Superheroes!Country Walking magazine praised the Service and commented it “deserves a superhero cape for a series of guides for landowners that set standards for stiles, kissing gates and other potential footpath obstacles”.

nick Crane, tV presenter and Journalist, presents the award to Mike overbeke, Graham rusling and ian Baugh.

institute of public rights of Way (iproW) national conferenceThe conference in September highlighted that Kent’s Countryside Access Service is still a national leader in PRoW and countryside access management. Key initiatives applauded were the ground breaking GPS condition survey, the 1:2500 scale Definitive Map project and the volunteering initiative. Ian Baugh and Graham Rusling, were nominated for IPROW’s Right Way Awards which recognise significant achievements for service to the public and the profession.

complimentsCAS is highly respected by both the landowning community and by members of the general public. In total, 386 compliments were received over the year (55% of the total for the Environment & Waste Division), with only 10 complaints.

Award winning serviceOver the last year the Countryside Access Service has been nominated for and achieved a number of prestigious awards, demonstrating the commitment from its staff to provide high quality access to Kent’s countryside and coast for both visitors and local residents.

“ We are impressed not only

by your efficient service in

replacing the bridge, but also

by the fact you were kind

enough to let us know it had

been done.”

Resident in East Kent


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Expenditure Income

Definitive Map 217.1 -52.8

Public Rights of Way Operations 1,261.7 -41.0

Legal 59.3

Common Land & Village Greens 73.0 -24.1

Access Development 754.8 -249.6

Total (revenue) 1,998.4

Capital 829.4

Total (revenue & capital) 2,827.8

FinanceThe total budget for 2008/9 was just over £2.8 million and was allocated across the CAS as shown below. Of this amount £367,500 was received as income from successfully bidding for external funding and from core activities such as charges for property searches.

Figures are in £1,000’s


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projects

• Deliver £900,000 of capital projects to improve integrated accessibility and asset management.

• Reduce the number of stiles and barriers by 300 to increase accessibility for all.

• Expand volunteer activity by increasing the number of Countryside Access Wardens from 30 to 170.

• Produce a Definitive Map for the remaining Excluded Areas of Folkestone, Margate and Birchington, and Ramsgate.

• Deliver Explore Kent promotional projects to develop the website and publications to reach a diverse and extended audience.

• Initiate a customer focus and efficiency review to enhance delivery of the Countryside Access Service.

• Ensure that good progress is made towards completing Phase 2 of the Definitive Map Project - accurately recording PROW data at a scale of 1:2500.

• To undertake an active part in a pilot project run by DEFRA for the implementation of new provisions contained in Part I of the Commons Act 2006. The new legislation provides the ability to amend and update the Registers of Common Land and Village Greens to reflect more recent events that have taken place.

partnershipsNatural EnglandTo work with Natural England on delivering a coastal trail around Kent. Initial work will focus on refining the methodology produced by Natural England which sets out how the route will be achieved on the ground.

NHSTo deliver the second year of a joint KCC/NHS Access to the Countryside and Coast for Health Project in East Kent. Projects will be focused on areas of significant health inequalities and will see more people accessing the countryside and coast. Visit KentTo work on joint projects to promote access to Kent’s countryside and coast to support the tourism economy. This will include promotion of circular routes on the coast and linking available information on websites to provide a more comprehensive and improved customer service.

the year ahead


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Mike Overbeke Head of Countryside Access 01622 221513 [email protected]

Graham Rusling PRoW Service Delivery Manager01622 [email protected] Operational lead for the PRoW Service

Ian BaughAccess Development Manager01622 [email protected] for development and promotion

Andrew HutchinsonPRoW Area Manager (East Kent)01303 [email protected] at East Brabourne, responsible for PRoW in East Kent

David MunnPRoW Area Manager (West Kent)01732 [email protected] at Kingshill, responsible for PRoW in West Kent

Laura WilkinsDefinitive Map Team Leader01622 [email protected] for the Definitive Map Team

Chris WadeCLVG Team Leader01622 696995 [email protected] for the Common Land and Village Greens Service

Kate PhillipsCountryside Partnerships Manager01622 221560Responsible for Countryside Partnerships

Countryside Access ServiceInvicta HouseMaidstone KentME14 1XX

Tel: 01622 221568Fax: 01622 221636Email: [email protected]: www.kent.gov.uk/countrysideaccess

To report a problem on a Public Right of Way call 0845 3450210

Explore Kent is a Countryside Access Service initiative.

For the best information on walking, horse riding, cycling, country parks and green space contact Explore Kent.

web: www.kent.gov.uk/explorekenttel: 08458 247600email: [email protected]

Contacts

KENT

If you require any information in this reportin an alternative format, please contact the team on 01622 221568.

Documents

Kent County CounCil Countryside Access Service · Countryside Access Service 2 AnnuAl report 2008/09 introduction There are 5 key areas of activity in delivering the Countryside Access