Agenda item

This report updates the Committee on the progress of the Solar System Exploration Walk project and seeks approval for the size, materials and locations of the walk’s information boards.

The Committee received a report updating the Committee on the progress of the Solar System Exploration Walk project and seeking approval for the size, materials and locations of the walk’s information boards.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Possibility for Guided Walks. A Member enquired as to whether the Ewell Astronomical Society (‘EAS’) would be able to provide guided nighttime walks to accompany the Solar System Exploration Walk. The EAS Representative stated it was something they could feasibly offer. The Interim Head of Service (Streetcare) confirmed that the Park is closed to cars at night but remains open to pedestrians. The EAS Representative suggested that they could also do walks with the nursery and local schools too.

b)            Possibility for Lauch Event. The Committee suggested that the opening of the Solar System Walk could be promoted and advertised by a launch event in the Park. The Representative of the EAS was in full support of the idea.

c)            Phone Signal Along the Walk. The EAS Representative stated that they had previously walked along the route to test phone signal and confirmed that the entirety of the route had an available signal, at a varying strength.

d)            Direction of the Walk. The EAS Representative explained to the Committee that the direction of the Solar System Walk would need to be set out as seen in option 2 on page 31 of the agenda pack, with the ‘Sun Board’ located at the Mansion House, stating that option 1 as seen on page 30 would not be viable. He explained that, for option 1, it had become apparent that legislation prohibited the digging of many of the information board’s posts into the ground due to their proximity to the Nonsuch Palace site. This was noted by the Committee.

e)            Location and Height of Information Boards. In response to a question from a Member, the Interim Assistant Head of Service stated that there would be a map located at either end of the walk on A1 boards, setting out the locations of the information boards along the route. The EAS Representative confirmed that the board’s posts would be 2 metres and reach c.1.5 metres above ground – an accessible height for children and wheelchair users.

f)             Proposed Motion to Defer. Councillor Peter Geiringer proposed a motion that the decision on recommendation 2 of the report be deferred until such a time as the Committee had been given an opportunity for a guided walk along the proposed route. The proposal did not receive a seconder, and the motion was lost.

g)            Thanks to those involved. The EAS Representative wished to offer thanks on behalf of the Society to the Committee, Councillor Steven McCormick, the Nonsuch Voles, and the Interim Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) for their help and support. The Committee offered their thanks in return to the EAS for their hard work in producing the project.

Following consideration, the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Receive and note the presentation provided by the Ewell Astronomical Society, as seen at Appendix 1 to the report.

(2)          Approve the size, materials and locations of the walk’s information boards, as set out in sections 4 and 5 of Appendix 1 to the report, and as minuted (minute 8d)) above.