Issue - meetings

To provide the Committee with an update report on EAFRD infrastructure installation which provides improvements to information and signage on Epsom and Walton Downs.

The Committee received an update report on European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) infrastructure installation which provides improvements to information and signage on Epsom and Walton Downs.

The following matters were considered:

a)            EAFRD funding. The Committee noted that the Conservators had been awarded over £132,000 in grant funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for improvements to signs and information on the Downs.

b)            Works. The Interim Property Development and Regeneration Manager informed the Committee that the following works had been completed or were in progress:

·                     150 way marking posts.

·                     25 finger posts with over 80 direction fingers.

·                     40 A0 size information boards.

·                     8 A1 size lectern information boards.

·                     15 oak litter bins.

·                     4 tables and 8 benches around the Tea Hut area.

·                     5 interpretive benches located across the Downs.

·                     2 sets of electronic posts at the mile crossing and Rubbing House crossing, which are able to separately record pedestrians, cyclists and horses passing through.

·                     48 warning signs and information inserts were anticipated to be installed by the end of January 2023.

·                     In addition, the Jockey Club was funding an educational rubbing trail consisting of 12 rubbing plates depicting historic events on the Racecourse and Downs.

c)            Repairs to damage / vandalism. The Committee noted that damage to the signs was repaired by the Council’s operational services staff.

d)            Bins. The Committee noted that the full quota of bins had been received and installed on the Downs. Officers would consider whether any further bins were required.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved:

(1)      To note the progress made on improvements to signs on the Downs.