Agenda Item No.

 

VALE OF GLAMORGAN LOCAL ACCESS FORUM

 

 

MINUTES of a meeting held on 16th January, 2008.

 

Present: Mr. M.R. Harvey (Chairman); Mr. D.J. Field (Deputy Chairman); Mr. J.V. Custance, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, Mr. J.J. Herbert, Mrs. H. March, Mr. H.S. McMillan, Mrs. M. Morgan, Mr. N. Moss, Mr. R. Simpson and Mrs. V. Warlow.

 

Mr. C. Fray, Mr. B. Guy, Mr. C. Jones-Jenkins and Mrs. S. Thomas (VOGC); Ms. S. Tyndall (CCW); Ms. T. Cottnam (Coastal Access Officer, Cardiff Council).

 

 

Action

(a)       Apologies for absence -

 

These were received from Mr. R. Pittard and Mr. R. Traherne; Mr. J. Wyatt (Secretary); and Councillor G. John (Cabinet Member, Tourism and Leisure).

 

 

(b)       Welcome -

 

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting, specifically Mr. Bob Guy as the recently appointed Operational Manager for Countryside and Economic Projects.

 

 

(c)        Minutes -

 

AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 19th September, 2007 be approved as a correct record, subject to the reference to ValeWaves in the penultimate paragraph of minute no. (e) being amended to read  for Valeways.

 

 

 

 

JLP

(d)       Coastal Access Improvement Programme -

 

The Chairman welcomed Irene Evison, Consultant from “Resources for Change”, to the meeting.  Ms. Evison briefly explained her role in the process and outlined the aim of the Wales Coastal Access Programme. The programme, funded by WAG and administered by CCW, was currently in its first year and the remainder of phase 1 (April ‘07 to March ‘10) would commence in the new financial year.  The programme related to the coastal zone and 2 kilometres therein.  She referred to the work undertaken by the Council’s Rights of Way team and to the consultation undertaken.  It was now important to identify those actions / improvements the Council would like to see over the next three to five years and the views of the Local Access Forum were requested. The Deputy Chairman asked whether the selection of those actions / improvements should have regard to the outcome of the recent CCW consultation paper on route criteria  and, indeed, what that outcome had been. Whilst Sarah Tyndall would ascertain when the findings of the consultation would be published, Irene Evison confirmed that the current guidance on the CAIP was relevant and that there was, therefore, a basis on which to build an action plan.  Chris Jones-Jenkins confirmed that the responses of the LAF, Council officers and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Advisory Group had been submitted and that an analysis of the responses from all over Wales would be made available to the Council in due course.  Sarah Tyndall confirmed that whilst overall priorities would be set for Wales in various respects, for example the percentage of routes available for riders/cyclists, serious consideration would be given to accommodating the views of this and other LAFs / consultees in maintaining and improving coastal access within their areas having regard to individual circumstances. She was reminded that this LAF had expressed strong views that, although a permanent path was to be desired, the emphasis on permanence in the consultation paper was seen as overly prescriptive.

 

Discussion then focused on the suggested action plan projects as shown below and maps tabled, the maps having been split into 8 sections with section 1 showing the most easterly section of the Vale and map 8 the most westerly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST

 

 

Map 1

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Cross Border issues with Cardiff – Pont-y-Werin / barrage

H

 

Cycling Schemes in Penarth

H

 

Promotion / Improvement under Access for All of Circular Routes linking to the WCP- Seafront to Railway Circular

M

 

 

 

Map 2

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Investigate options for improvement of access through Barry Docks:

-         Access across Dock Gates to lead on to Redbrink Point

-         New bridge across entrance to No.2 Dock

-         Access to Wimbourne Road

H

 

Access through Atlantic Trading Estate to provide a link to the coast and the public right of way.

H

 

Create new PROW between Swanbridge Farm and St. Mary’s Well Bay (potential road eroding)

L

 

Restore PROW due to erosion at St. Mary’s Well Bay , following investigation undertaken this year

H

 

Potential re-alignment / disabled access at Lavernock Nature reserve

M

 

Lavernock Point - Car Park improvements

L

 

Lavernock Point – Missing link

H

 

Lavernock Point – Create beach access

L

 

Create new footpath at Searchlight Lane to provide a circular walk linking Compensation to the coast.

M

 

Information Boards about Sully Island

L

 

Promotion / Improvement under Access for All of Circular Routes linking to the WCP- Cosmotron Park to Sully Circular

M

 

Negotiate Missing Link at Captain’s Wife following this year’s investigation.

H

 

Resurface Sully Coastal path between Bendricks and Sully 5,including inland links

H

 

Resurface Sully Coastal path between Sully 5 and The Captain’s Wife including inland links

H

 

Continue resurfacing of Penarth to Lavernock WCP

H

 

 

 

Map 3

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Missing Link from Porthkerry Park to Egerton Grey to provide a circular walk and improve access to the coast

M

 

Rebuild Golden Stairs

H

 

Improve disabled access in Birchgrove Woods and investigate link to the coast

M

 

Investigate opportunities to create the missing link around Whitehouse Development

H

 

Ensure PROW linkage across Phase 2 of the Waterfront Development.

H

 

Investigate the opportunities to improve Disabled access on Nell’s Point

M

 

Improvements to Clement Colley Way

L

 

Open up coastal viewpoints through vegetation at Marine Drive, Barry and elsewhere

M

 

Steps / surface works between The Bulwarks and Porthkerry Country Park

H

 

Install improved drainage system at Porthkerry beach to alleviate flooding

H

 

Upgrade Friars Point Paths to provide a circular route.

M

 

Refurbishment (under access for all) of all furniture on north side of Porthkerry Park to provide a circular route.

M

 

 

 

Map 4

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Re-assess permissive / public paths at Aberthaw Power Station (i.e. Public WCP)

H

 

Improved access at Rhoose Point Development – Rail Crossing

M

 

Rebuild cliff steps at Aberthaw

H

 

Cliff steps in Fontygary Caravan Park

M

 

Rebuild concrete path at Penmark 1

H

 

Improved access at The Dams Valley

H

 

Steps / surface works around disused quarry at Porthkerry Caravan Park

H

 

Erosion along the length of the Rhoose Point development.

H

 

 

 

Map 5

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

New Route along Hoddnant River

M

 

Permissive access along road between Boverton Farm and Summerhouse Point

H

 

Permissive Link from Gileston to Summerhouse?

Walking on pebble beach.

H

 

Improve PROW at Gileston Beach

H

 

 

 

Map 6

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Re-assess access through St. Donat’s Castle

M

 

Re-assess permissive / public paths at Sheeplays Barn

M

 

Blaen-y-Cwm - Flooding

H

 

Blaen-y-Cwm – Bridge erosion

H

 

Blaen-y-Cwm – New stream crossing at northern end

H

 

Blaen-y-Cwm – Slippery slopes on coastal approaches

H

 

Replace stiles with gaps / gates west of Nash Point

H

 

Resolve bog / flooding in Cwm Marcross

M

 

Improve coastal path from Cwm Col-huw westwards

H

 

Dimhole erosion / surface works

H

 

Flooding at Waterfall stile

M

 

Erosion along the section at King George V Field and on to Tressillian Bay

H

 

Footpath crosses pebble beach at Tressillian

M

 

Cadw site at Castle Ditches Fort Cwm Col-huw

H

 

Promotion / Improvement under Access for All of Circular Routes linking to the WCP - Cwm Colhuw to Dimhole Circular

M

 

 

 

Map 7

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Use of existing slipways to access beaches at Ogmore, Dunraven, Cwm Colhuw

H

 

Improve erosion of emergency escape route at Temple Bay

H

 

Surface and steps at Cwm Mawr

H

 

Emergency ladders at Cwm Bach

H

 

 

 

Map 8

 

 

Action

Priority

 
 

Use of existing slipways to access beaches at Ogmore, Dunraven, Cwm Colhuw.

H

 

Ogmore River Crossing

H

 

Improve surfacing and waymarking on Ogmore Down

M

 

Improve coastal path at pinch point west of Marine Drive, Ogmore

H

 

Improve coastal path at pinch point at the Sea Lawns

H

 

Installation of steps in Pant y Slade valley

M

 

Promotion / Improvement under Access for All of Circular Routes linking to the WCP

- Ogmore River and Downs Circular

- Ogmore to Pant-y-Slade (linear WCP

- Dunraven to Ogmore Downs Circular)

M

 


 

Points raised in subsequent  discussion included:

 

Map 1

A note added to the effect that, because of the non-continuance with the Penarth Headland Link Scheme, the proposed coastal path would be driven inshore. 

 

Map 2

The need for the projects to be listed in sequential order along the coastline, it being noted that the order would be re-worked for insertion into the final action plan; and the suggestion made that the content of the information boards relating to Sully Island needed to give clear and precise information as to the potential dangers of accessing and egressing the Island.

 

Map 3

The question was asked as to why the rebuilding of the Golden Stair had been given a high priority and a request made that the priority be reduced. 

 

Map 4

In response to questions, issues including the reassessment of paths at Aberthaw Power Station, the cliff steps at Aberthaw and the erosion at the Rhoose Point development were clarified.  The suggestion was made that consideration could be given to improving disabled access on to a section of the path at Aberthaw Power Station.

 

Maps 5 and 6

Reference was made to a very heavily used route from the bottom of Colhuw Street to the beach and the strong local feeling that the route could be much improved. It was considered that the route could be made disabled user friendly and that it should be accorded high priority.  It was recognised that the path in question was already included on the list as part of a proposed circular work, given a medium priority, but it was felt that this particular section should attract a higher priority.

 

It was also suggested that the bridleway that presently ran along Church Road to a dead end where it became a public footpath could be extended as a bridleway westwards or up to the main road thereby providing a much appreciated local facility.

 

Maps 7 and 8

The Council had yet to determine its stance in relation to the slipways mentioned given the question of ownership and the use of slipways for both the launching of waterborne craft and access onto the beach by walkers and disabled users.  Given that the CAIP related specifically to pursuits such as walking and cycling, clarification was required as to whether CCW meant coastal access and / or access to the beach / foreshore and whether works to slipways would attract funding. 

 

In response to questions, Irene Evison confirmed that with all the above proposals more detail would be given as the action plan was drawn up and refined. 

 

It was accepted that the highest priority was to put the coastal path into place and noted that a lot of the actions contained within the above list related to missing links in the network.  Other issues to be raised when discussing the action plan would include those projects which were not site specific such as guided walks, working in partnership, way marking surveys, and staff costs.  A particular point raised at the meeting was the use of the Sea Watch Centre at Summer House Point on a part time basis as a Coast Watch location although the security of the car parking facilities there would require addressing and the fact that it was accessed by a permissive path.  Ms. Evison concluded her presentation by referring to the timetable whereby grant applications had to be submitted to CCW by mid-February with the CAIP being with CCW by the end of June 2008.   Members of the LAF were invited to contact her and / or the Rights of Way Team with any further comments.  The Chairman subsequently thanked Ms. Evison for her contribution to the meeting.

 

(e)              Forward Work Programme -

 

·                    Resignation - the Chairman announced that he was to relinquish his seat on the Council at 1st May, 2008 and that he could, therefore, no longer continue in the post of Chairman of the LAF.  The process to be followed as a consequence in respect of electing a new Chairman was briefly outlined, it being confirmed that a letter giving further details would follow.

·                    Valeways - in response to a question relating to possible future funding difficulties and the possible consequential impact on the ROWIP, Bob Guy confirmed that he was meeting the Chief Officer of Valeways imminently to discuss the present situation.  It was further explained that Valeways was a charity and obtained funding from a number of organisations but that, in the current financial climate, the likelihood was that there would be a funding gap with consequent implications for the current staffing levels and therefore the work able to be undertaken for the Vale.

·                    Three Fields, Cowbridge - the position in relation to the inability of the Council to undertake refurbishment works at the above location (and for which grant aid had been obtained) was attributable to land ownership issues which had not been able to be resolved.

 

(f)                 Thanks -

 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the thanks of the Forum were conveyed to the Chairman for his leadership and guidance since the inception of the LAF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROW Team / I E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JLP

 

 

 

 

 

BG