Issue - meetings

To consider matters raised by Members of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee.

The Committee considered matters raised by Members.

The following matters raised by Members were considered:

(1)          Condition of Hack Canter Ride at the top of Six Mile Hill. The Chair informed the Committee that extensive scrub clearance will need to be undertaken in the area and the work is scheduled to take place at the end of September 2024. The Chair continued to explain that a Flail Mower has been purchased by EEBC and will be used to complete the works.

(2)          Noticeboards. The Chair informed the Committee that works would be taking place to clean and further protect the boards from damage. The Chair suggested that Consultative Committee Members and their relevant groups could help in completing the task.

(3)          Fibre Sand Gallop. The Member from the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society asked if the layout could be improved. The Member from the Training Grounds Management agreed to meet with the Member from the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society to gain more information regarding the unfriendly horse crossing and then to feedback at the next Consultative Committee Meeting.

(4)          Resurfacing of Hack Track from Langley Vale behind Downs House. The Member from the Training Grounds Management informed the Committee that said now the weather is drier, it will be something the team will focus on, and an update will be brough back to next meeting.

(5)          Signage. The Chair shared an update from the Streetcare Manager, that the Warning Signage is on track to be completed by the end of April 2024.

(6)          Racehorses exercising in the mornings up the hack area gallop. The Chair shared that the relevant team has been alerted and will challenge any riders, if it transpires that riders are from the limes. The Chair informed the Committee that this should not be an issue going forward but will continue to monitor the situation.

(7)          Vegetation and Tree Issues. A Member raised an issue regarding a listed wall which is suffering damage due to vegetation roots and damp and two large trees which have died and are swaying precariously over the nearby properties. The Member from the Jockey Club agreed to speak to the other Member after the meeting to determine the location and then help with any relevant actions needed.

(8)          Surrey Union Hunt. The Member from the Epsom Downs Riders Protection Society asked what authority the Surrey Union Hunt organisers had to carry out their event. The Chair informed the Committee that the event was not a formally approved by the Conservators. The Chair continued to explain that there is action being taken to firm up information sharing regarding what people need to do to get events arranged, coordinated and approved to be held on the Downs.

To consider matters raised by Members of the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee.

The Committee considered matters raised by Members.

The following matters raised by the Epsom Downs Riders’ Protection Association Member were considered:

a)            Replacement of Hack Sand Track with Hack grass canter. The Training Grounds Management Board Member informed the Committee that the new grass canter opened in October 2022 and had proved very popular with hack riders.

The Committee received a comment from an invited representative that the start of the track had become very wet and rough following the recent exceptional levels of rain, which had led to a fall from a horse. The Training Grounds Management Board Member informed the Committee that the area was rolled on a weekly basis to maintain its condition, and that he had not received any complaints regarding it. The Epsom Downs Riders’ Protection Association Member informed the Committee that hack riders were delighted with the new canter.

b)            Condition of hack canter at top of Six Mile. It was noted that the Council’s Streetcare Manager and the Epsom Downs Riders’ Protection Association Member of the Committee would meet on 20 December to discuss this matter.

c)            Marking of hack ride across The Hill and hack post renewal on the Downs. The Committee was informed that the replacement of hack post signs was underway.

d)            Water logging of track at top of Rifle Butts Alley. The Committee was informed that scrub clearance work in this area had been undertaken.

e)            Update on Downskeepers’ winter work programme. It was noted that the Council’s Streetcare Manager and the Epsom Downs Riders’ Protection Association Member of the Committee would meet on 20 December to discuss this matter.

f)             Traffic light phasing for pedestrians and racehorses crossing by bus shelter. The Committee was informed by the Head of Operational Services that no issues had been reported with regard to the traffic light phasing in the past 3 months.

Following consideration, the Committee resolved:

(1)      That it had considered the matters raised by members of the Committee as set out in the report.