Category: General

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

Posted on by Web Editor

West Berkshire Council is currently consulting on its Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This sets out the council’s strategic goals and priorities for public rights of way in the district.

It is based on a full assessment of the needs of the public in using public rights of way, now and in the future, and sets out a statement of action. The ROWIP has been informed by extensive engagement with stakeholders and the public, with a full consultation and call for evidence back in 2021. The Rights of Way Team has also undertaken a thorough review of evidence.

Spokes has responded to the consultation. Some of the key points that we highlighted were:

  • Ideally, conditions surveys should be undertaken more frequently than once every 10 years, with high priority routes prioritised for more frequent surveys.
  • The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath is in a very poor condition due to a lack of maintenance by the Canal and River Trust, and the situation is likely to deteriorate further due to significant cuts in government grant funding from 2027. A massive investment programme is needed, to bring this up to scratch and this should be recognised in the ROWIP.
  • The extension of the Eling Way to Newbury should be a top priority in the ROWIP’s action plan.
  • The ROWIP should recognise the benefits of long-distance cycling routes such as Eurovelo 2, National Cycle Network Routes and the King Alfred Way, which pass through the district.
  • There are already a number of disparate groups who undertaken maintenance activities on public rights of way (particularly the towpath), but there is no coordination of these groups, which is inefficient. This may be an area for the Council to explore.

The public consultation on the draft ROWIP runs until 26 November and can be found here:
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/draftrowip

Spokes @ GreenFest 2022 Report

Posted on by Secretary

On the Spokes stall back in GreenFest 2019, questions and comments were dominated by the relatively newly opened Hermitage to Hampstead Norreys traffic free shared used path. At this 2022 year’s event, the path – and its potential extensions North and South – were still a talking point. But there was was a broader set of talking points too.

With environmentally related groups attending the event from Pangbourne, Mortimer and Burghfield – we had various comments on cycling and cyclist needs in those areas of West Berkshire. Cycling facilities along the A4, particularly with the recent changes between Waitrose and Brummel Road, was also a hot topic. Fortunately, with an almost encyclopaedic knowledge, Clive and Gordon were on hand to answer and respond to the stall’s visitors.

Noticeably, many people spoke about their new electric bikes which have brought a new lease of life! However, for some there is a concern of where to securely park their bike. Whilst Spokes encourages, or through planning applications will comment on, cycling parking facilities – it is not always possible to place them immediately outside an office, shop, etc. However, various people did say they don’t mind walking from and to a more secure cycling facility (e.g. a cycling hub). What are your thoughts? Would you use a cycling hub in your local town’s centre?

Another common comment was that people thought they are “cheating” with their electric bike – particularly on rides. For Spokes, we have had a some riders on electric bikes for about five years now. Anything that gets you out, meeting others and is an alternative to a less environmentally form of transport is definitely not cheating – surely desirable!

In the space of less than 30 minutes, two people talked about their experiences of using tricycles to assist with a poor sense of balance. One in particular is looking for a compact folding tricycle, do you know of one? And talking of folding, I had the good fortune to talk to one of the original founders and investors of Brompton. He put in £100 in the mid-seventies to help kick off a fantastic business and one that is responsible for “the” design for a folding bike, not a bike that folds. I thought my purchase of a Brompton in 1995 with a number in the 5000’s was impressive, this person’s Brompton’s was numbered 20!

We gave a way a number of old logo tabards – they weren’t making anyone more seen when in my shed. Although I felt sorry for the family of four when there was only two left of the child sizes. Still they did all get a free bell!

Many people took away the very popular free local cycling maps and routes, M-check sheets (check online if you don’t know what this is) and the odd tip to help them enjoy cycling more.

Big thanks to Gordon and Josh for a very early start, the extended help from Clive, and Ed for general help on the stall and transporting all the gear back. William

Social Rides Review

Posted on by Secretary

A word from William, our Social Rides Coordinator:

Spokes rides have now finished, well for 2021 at least. Due to Covid we didn’t start until April, but when we did, there was plenty of untapped energy and all places were filled until the rules were relaxed and summer “holidays” began.

We continued the trend from 2020 and rides went off in groups of six. Unfortunately, we did have to cancel two rides due to bad weather. Though in general the weather was pretty kind to us, and there was certainly plenty of coffee drunk and cakes eaten too. Although, for one group there was a bit of wait at Bedwyn for elevenses and for another, there was disappointment that the cake shop wasn’t open!

Anyways, overall it has been another bumper year for the rides, and we have launched a survey for those who attended our rides, so we can get feedback and make adjustments and improvements for next year.

For 2022, the rides will run from March to October. They are publicised through www.letsride.co.uk, and I will also take a leaf out of Newbury Road Club and look into using Spond to help with ride coordination.

Another trend also going about is to label rides green, blue, red and black. And for those not in the know, that’s a grading system used for ski runs. So for Spokes a black ride would probably be the once a year special 60 mile route organised close to the longest day (but don’t worry were back by 3.30pm this year, having started at 9am). And a green ride probably equates to a 25 mile, not so hilly, ride. Most rides this year were about 30 miles with some hills.

Finally, a shout out to those who helped leading the rides this year – Gordon, Tim, Steve and Mike.

Annual General Meeting 2021

Posted on by Secretary

In accordance with our constitution, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of West Berkshire Spokes will take place at 11:00a.m, for an 11:15am start, on Sunday 27 June 2021 in the upstairs room at The Tea Shop by The Canal (the Stone Building), The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS

All SPOKES members are very welcome to attend the AGM. The Tea Shop will be selling teas, coffees, cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and other refreshments, for members to buy if they wish.  

Below are links to the AGM papers:

If you have any items that you wish to add to the agenda, then please notify the SPOKES Secretary by emailing secretary@westberkshirespokes.org by midnight on Friday 11 June. The final agenda will be provided at the AGM itself.

All committee posts are up for re-election. We will have at least one vacancy this time, so if you have any nominations for any of the posts, then please notify the SPOKES Secretary by emailing secretary@westberkshirespokes.org by midnight on Friday 11 June.

If anyone wants an informal chat in advance of the AGM, then feel free to get in touch with any of the committee. E-mail contacts can be found on our website at https://www.westberkshirespokes.org/about-us/committee/

Towpath Works at Colthrop & Thatcham

Posted on by Secretary
  • West of Midgham Lock
  • West of Midgham Lock 2
  • West of Midgham Lock 3
  • Potential to extend works towards Colthrop
  • Thames Water funded works at Thatcham

SPOKES has long been campaigning for the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath surface to be restored between Reading and Marsh Benham. With the exception of sections within Newbury, the surface has not benefited from any significant maintenance since it was originally upgraded 20 years ago to form part of National Cycle Network Route 4.

Grass encroached over time, leaving a deep, narrow rut, while boats pulling on mooring pegs tore chunks out of the bank, which cut into the towpath, creating major hazards for unwary cyclists.

The Canal and River Trust is responsible for maintaining the towpath, but has been unable to fund the extensive works that are required to bring it back up to the required standard. So we decided to help by raising funds to tackle some of the worst sections, starting with the section to the west of Midgham Lock.

We put in £10,000 of our own funds and raised over £100,000 of additional funds through the Good Exchange, including grants from West Berkshire Council, Thatcham Town Council and Englefield Trust, with match funding from Greenham Common Trust.

As with any project like this, there are risks, and an ecology survey carried out just before the works were due to start highlighted the presence of water voles. While it is fantastic news that this endangered species is present on this section of the canal, it did mean that some significant constraints had to be imposed on the scheme’s construction. These included: limiting the depth of excavation, not being able to use timber edging, and not being able to use vibratory rollers when laying the surface.

However, the contractor was able to progress with a scheme and works were completed earlier this month. As you can see from the photos, the towpath is almost unrecognisable when compared to its previous state.

Also, the reduced specification has resulted in a significant under-spend, so we may be able to extend the length of the improvements as part of a second phase of works. We are in discussion with our funders and the Canal and River Trust about this. We will keep you posted on progress!

The other bit of good news is that Thames Water has also funded some improvements to the towpath to the west of Crookham Hill. Although this section does not form part of NCN4, cyclists are still permitted to use this stretch. The improvements have covered exposed tree roots and repaired significant hazards such as dips and holes in the embankment. The result is a more usable route, but one that is still more suited to mountain bikes and hybrids with suspension.