Public Rights of Way

Some local Rights of Way have been improved and upgraded e.g. with the installation of steps and handrails, and in some instances linked by new crossing points, especially with pedestrian / pelican crossings: in recent years our branch of the Open Spaces Society (OSS) has been prominent in securing a crossing on Sandbanks Road at Ashley Cross, another at the foot of Luscombe Valley over to the Harbourside Promenade, and one by Shore Road intersection; and a pair of pinch crossings along the Sandbanks Pavilion stretch – but not just exclusive to our particular locality, with examples right across the twin boroughs; including the start of the South West Coast Path and other long distance routes.

Elsewhere in Poole two major projects which were initiated almost a decade ago have at long last come to fruition:

Following the death of a young cyclist crossing from the promenade along the Holes Bay Relief Road to BoP FP16 we campaigned hard to secure, formalise & upgrade the muddy track underpass which would have saved his life. Thanks to the head of BoP’s Transportation Services this is now a dedicated, signed, well-built and fenced PRoW
We also fought hard behind the scenes to persuade the Council to build a railway footbridge over the Hamworthy Branch to link the Flats, FP14 and Ham Park.

Any Volunteers with a similar interest in our Open Spaces and PRoWs are very welcome to come and join with us.

With a significant expansion of facilities for motor boats, yachts & sailing dinghies, in particular over recent years, there have been programmes to improve the clubhouses, install pontoons and create extended marina berthing which have caused disruption not only for the Yacht Club Members, but for neighbouring properties and others.

Of special interest are Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) which have long existed, and may be affected by these developments. As a result of a national initiative in 1985, each council right across the UK was required to record all the PRoWs on a Definitive Map; providing a distinction whether these are Bridleways or Footpaths (with a numerical listing), their exact location through map coordinates and other data such as widths, and accurate boundaries along them.

All those in excess of 10 metres in length were placed on a national register, and included on Ordnance Surveys.

This was an immense task, and when the initial records were completed, additions have regularly been ongoing, so that the general public can be guided by official signage and also expect a rights of way team to upkeep them. So there are official procedures in place to prevent PRoWs from being obstructed, encroached upon, or misused!

Wherever PRoWs are potentially affected by adjacent developments, special measures are taken to protect them and these are considered at the planning stage, and have input of the Public Rights of Way Officer for the Council. Further, at the earliest possible opportunity any National Stakeholder will also be involved/included in discussion.

In the case of Bridleways this must include the British Horse Society, as well as the Ramblers and Open Spaces Society and representatives of People with Disabilities (mobility problems), so that certain specific requirements are met; especially to ensure that no members of these interest groups are discriminated against by any proposed changes.

Much the same applies to PRoWs noted as Footpaths, or to a range of other purposes, e.g. shared-use with cyclists.

Some footpaths will be deemed only suitable for users without mobility problems, by way of their natural surface; however, wherever practical, PRoWs are liable to be upgraded to provide improved access & better alignment etc. Therefore on the occasion that a PRoW may need to be diverted there must not be a loss of enjoyment to the user, nor the access & destination points be altered (again) to the detriment of those who have traditionally used these.

Such matters may at first glance be seen as ‘subjective issues’, but potentially these can result in a Public Enquiry!

Therefore, the Local Authority representatives and the National Stakeholders will be very aware of this possibility, and will strongly advise that potential conflicts be resolved sensibly/reasonably without incurring heavy legal costs and maintain goodwill between all parties concerned to achieve in due course a successful & acceptable outcome.

An interesting example of this is in the case of the redevelopment of Parkstone Yacht Club’s clubhouse & facilities. At the earliest possible stage in the planning process those representing PYC with their agents Terence O’Rourke, correctly realised that the redevelopment would affect Footpath 88 (an extension of Bridleway 108 & Turks Lane) along its final section to the traditional vantage point at the Foreshore passing by the old clubhouse and boatyard.

The only way forward to respect public rights, was to confer with Borough of Poole, Terence O’Rourke & national stakeholders, to achieve a worthwhile plan to encompass a diversion of that section of the Footpath to reach the vantage point albeit that this would be to the other side of the Yacht Club with FP88 diverted around the site. and be independent of this.

The diverted section conforms to Disability Access, and also provides for pushchairs & cyclists, and even horses etc.

Harry Alexander