Agenda item

JW introduced a report to inform Members about various cross boundary issues relating to the canal and to identify which routes were desirable to pursue improvements.  Members noted the four suggested routes and the opportunity to liaise with the Friends of Slough Canal and the Slough Canal Working Group on how these could be achieved.  In some cases it was recommended that the future plans of British Waterways be amended to include these routes and also that liaison take place with South Bucks District Council. 

Action- JW

Councillor Haines addressed the Forum on behalf of the Friends of Slough Canal and explained that one further route was the ex-footpath that ran between Wexham Road and Stoke Road adjacent to the Sikh school running on the South Bucks side of the boundary.  The Local Neighbourhood Action Group had litter picked half of the route last year and it was noted that the route was often used by school children.  Ramblers had written to the Parish Council requesting volunteers to walk the route.  Apparently this was not identified as an official definitive footpath but this was in regular dispute.  JW commented that she was aware of this route but it was not situated near to the canal.  Councillor Haines stated that the general concern regarding these routes was the lack of maintenance and the problems caused by the overgrowth of weeds and rubbish.  It was felt that it was important to discuss this with South Bucks District Council as soon as possible.  Councillor Haines advised that British Waterways owned a metre of the canal north bank, i.e. 1m between the canal and the back gardens of houses.  There had been some discussion about gating at the rear of properties to establish moorings between the Basin and the Wexham Road bridge.  JW advised that she had received a response from Sam Thomas, Customer Operations Supervisor, British Waterways and it had been suggested that a site meeting take place to discuss the various issues resulting from the accessibility audit.  Councillor Haines advised that he would like to attend this meeting and it was agreed that JW would circulate possible dates. 

Action- JW

Councillor Haines referred to Nursery Lane where owners had gated a private road.  South Bucks District Council had placed a sign here saying that there was a public right of way but there was a concern that fierce dogs in the locality would deter the public from walking in this area.  JW confirmed that this lane was shown on an OS map as a public path and agreed that the sign would be looked at to establish whether it should be highlighted further.

Action- JW

Councillor Haines advised that the Friends of Slough Canal had a canal working party organised by Groundwork and they held a copy of the future yearly work programme.  It was noted that Thames 21 managed O2 volunteers and had reinstated a piece of the tow path in the Langley area.

Agreed -   That the four routes identified by JW as routes desirable to pursue improvements on be approved.

Gating Orders

Ian Houghton was concerned that there was no official policy on how many people should be consulted before a Gating Order was approved.  He advised that he had been personally consulted on the Waterbeach Road Gating Order but was concerned that there was no question asking for comment or feedback.  JW advised that Community Safety were carrying out this consultation and advised that this particular Order was not a public through route.

Councillor Dodds was concerned that a resident in Cress Road had not been issued with keys to the Bunton Meade flats garages.  JW advised that Community Safety were responsible for this area and she would forward on Councillor Dodds’ concerns.

Action- JW