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BOATS PAGE BOATS MEETING, 16TH MAY 2006 Minutes of meeting held at Lenham Community Centre concerning Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs) and the Pilgrims Way in particular. Tuesday May 16th 2006 7.30pm Present: Janetta Sams JS Chair MBC Cllr Harrietsham & Lenham, Graham Rusling, GR KCC Public Rights of Way ServiceDelivery Manager, Jonathan Carpenter JC KCC PRoW Mid Kent Area Manager, Sergeant Ian Jones SIJ Kent Police, PC Peter Knight, Tom Sams TS Harrietsham Parish Cllr Minute clerk + 16 members of local community
Apologies: Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart KCC member, Dennis Clifton Harrietsham Parish Council Chairman, Nigel Godfrey Lenham Parish Council Chairman, Daphne Parvin MBC Cllr North Downs, Mike Overbeke KCC PRoW officer TS outlined that minutes from meeting would be placed on www.harrietsham.net where similar documents were recorded. JS Introduction as to purpose of meeting, to give opportunity to raise issues with officers direct locally in a constructive manner. GR outlined his responsibility for maintenance & enforcement and recording of PROW county wide JC outlined his area Mid Kent covering Lenham and Harrietsham and also an overall responsibility for the management of the maintenance of the North Downs Way GR then spoke about the Legal framework at the moment which was still “fluid”. That there was a consultation from DEFRA and advice on regulating and policing PROW. April 1st powers to gate highways had been introduced. Last few days Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 had been introduced which had complex legislation and would impact on the future recording of BOATs. A report had been made to KCC Portfolio Holder Mr Keith Ferrin. A “working group” made up of all users, the Police, Kent Local Access Forum and Parish Councils who will advise him on recommendations for the management of BOATs generally and specific individual routes. The recommendations would be made by GR who would also be co-ordinating the group. GR JC Decisions about future projects of maintenance and repairs were based on a survey of all byways in Kent. A database was made and maintenance priorities identified from it.. ACTION 1 That JC would put this condition survey in a format that could be viewed and accessed by public on WWW.harrietsham.net GR Maintenance programme for coming year was based on what would benefit all users. User groups including TRF (Trailbike Riders Fellowship), had code of conduct which was adhered to by its members. However attempting to manage using voluntary restraint had, had mixed success in the past..TRO’s (Traffic Regulation Orders) were seen as a measure of last resort, although this should not necessarily be the case, as they can penalise legitimate and law abiding users. There are also practical difficulties in their implementation. JS How will the “working group” seek local opinion? GR Through KAPC Kent Association of Parish Councils Bredhurst rep: Are the meetings going to be published? How will KAPC do this? ACTION 2 GR will ask KAPC to consult with local Parish Councils when apparently needed. Lenham resident: Resurfacing work carried out very good. North downs a tourist attraction, but also other issues need addressing eg broken gates , fences and a long term view is needed. JC Fences hedges are responsibility of landowners and greater investment is required . Some may be possible with partnerships GR off road users have rights and those in TRF generally are responsible SIJ Maidstone area has big problem new issue is mini motos. Police can issue warnings and seize vehicles when necessary. Lenham resident: Illegal users, incident where an 8 year old was accompanied by parent on Pilgrims way. Also incident where 4x4 was driving on the Lenham Cross. Need to show that police are visible at certain key times 10-12 Sat & Sun. SIJ Ensure that police would be available when he could. Aware that police will give confidence to local community. Can all issues be reported to police? ACTION 3 Police will report incidents relating to the areas direct to be logged on www.harrietsham.net so Parish Councils and others can measure police action and crime figures. Boxley Cllr: Incident regarding a large bike event where most acted responsibly though some rode fast along Pilgrims Way. Harrietsham Resident Said that the same thing happened in Harrietsham. Harrietsham Parish Cllr: Talked about North Downs steering group, & quiet lanes initiative. GR Quiet lanes initiative had been piloted in Tonbridge & Malling. It did not change the status of highways but looked to stress their suitability fo non vehicular users. Harrietsham Parish Cllr: Had been in contact with Peter Rosevear from KCC Highways. The schemes would not be expensive. And what about speed limits? ACTION 4 JC to talk to Peter Rosevear and find out what could be possible locally. Lenham Resident: what are police powers? SIJ Explained powers including how issues could be reported.He also felt it would be possible to state this and added how evidence could be collected. JS How can this be publicised for the community? ACTION 5 Police to state on www.harrietsham.net so that this can be downloaded and put in local magazines. Residents could with assistance keep a watch on what was going on and build up background evidence to assist police. General discussion followed around various issues from dog fouling to litter. ACTION 6 GR to ensure that “working group” minutes could be published on www.harrietsham.net ACTION 7 that GR & JC would report back to the community on progress made in summer and a meeting would occur in the future. At the end the chair thanked all those attending. Before minutes of meeting were placed on web site the accuracy would be checked by GR, JC and SIJ Meeting finished at 9pm |