Unfortunately I have not been able to attend many of the Spadework days this year (problems with my back) and Reg Simpson has kindly given me details of work the group has been doing, apart from eating biscuits, drinking tea/coffee, getting very muddy but at the end of the day feeling happy that they have ‘put something back’ and have been very proud of the work that they have done.
Lambley – Bridge renewal and installing a handrail.
Spring Lane, Arnold – Correcting the path to its correct route, installing step through stiles and boardwalk.
Spring Lane, Arnold – Another job restoring the path to its correct line and installing footbridge.
Giltbrook – Improvements to fencing to keep livestock in, installing a kissing gate and 2 stiles.
Selston – Installed 2 metal gates.
Teversal – Installed 3 metal gates, this was quite an achievement, and fortunately we were helped by some of the ‘regular’ volunteers from the Leen Valley Conservation Volunteers.
All the work is supervised by Lee Scudder, Notts County Council. All transport, tools, equipment, materials, refreshments are provided by Notts Country Council. If you would like to keep our footpaths clear, way marked and furniture in good repair why not try one of the spadework days?
Notts County Council are in the process of drastically cutting the Rights of Way Department below is a copy of the front page of: www.nottsarearamblers.co.uk
It is not known how these cuts will affect our ‘Spadework’ days but they will definitely affect the state of our rights of way network.
• Staff cut from 20 officers to 10
• maintenance budget cut by 23%
• Access improvement & big project budget likely to be cut by 95% (this was money from the Local Transport plan)
It is not known at this point how the remaining team will deliver a service or what level of service will be deliverable with the resource.
The structure or direction of the remaining team is also not yet known. It appears it will be up to managers to determine this.
Projects like the Bothamsall/Haughton bridges project will not be possible. Decisions will have to be taken as to whether to continue with the Ploughing & Cropping Campaign and the annual maintenance field edge path cutting programme.
The consultation process has now started. We have set a deadline of the 19th of November 2010 as there needs to be time for responses to be analysed and a report written to go to 'Cabinet' who are taking the decisions on consultation outcomes.
As we are a 'Category B' service there is a shorter consultation period as if you can decipher the rules on the website, it looks like they will only take into account comments received before the decision is taken, but you won't know when the decision will be taken!
The preferred method is through the County Council website: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk or direct link https://secure.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/doitonline/service-reviews/services-for-the-community/
On the front page it says 'Reviewing Our services - Your Views'. follow the link 'have your say on the plans' and scroll down to 'Your Views' and a link called 'services for the Community'.
This takes you to an on-line form covering all the services in the Communities Department. Rights of Way are right at the bottom of the form.
There is also a box for comments. It is not clear how many characters are available so 'to the point' is the best advice.
By telephone: on the Golden Number 08449 808080. They will try to persuade people to respond by the website initially.
By post:
Freepost RLUR-UXJJ-ETZZ
Nottinghamshire County Council
Chief Executives Department
County Hall
West Bridgford
Nottingham NG2 7QP
