To discuss any issues raised by Hack Riders Representatives. At the time of publication of this agenda, no items had been requested.
Minutes:
The following matters were raised by the Hack Rider Representatives:
a) Parking on the grassland enclosed by Tattenham Corner Road, Langley Vale Road (north of the underpass) and the racecourse railings. The Hack Rider representative informed the Committee that this area had in the past been closed to vehicles outside racing periods through the use of barriers, but that these were no longer in place. The representative expressed concern that if the barriers were no longer in place, the use of this area for parking could become habitual. The Chairman informed the meeting that the use of barriers to control access to this area would be included in the consultation to be undertaken on the grassland adjacent to the Derby Arms public house (see b) below).
b) Use of the Derby Arms grassland for parking pending consultation. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services informed the Committee that officers had undertaken research into the use of this area for car parking and would report this to the next meeting of the Conservators.
c) Scrub clearance along the hack ride at the top of Rifle Butts Alley. The Streetcare Manager informed the Committee that this work was ongoing and would continue. The Hack Rider representative informed the Committee that the top braided section of the ride became very muddy during wet weather, and that further clearance would assist in it drying out.
d) Vegetation clearance along the hack ride between Burgh Heath Road and Longdown Lane South. The Streetcare Manager informed the Committee that this would be added to the Downskeepers’ winter work programme.
e) Marking of the hatched area ride. It was noted that the Streetcare Manager and TGMB representative would review the marking of the area, as it was currently not clear to hack riders where its boundary was.
f) Notice to hack riders of the poor state of the sand track. The Chairman informed the Committee that she would suggest to the Conservators that they write to local stables to inform them that the condition of the track was poor. However, it was noted that some riders travelled to the Downs from further away.
The Head of Legal and Democratic Services informed the Committee that neither the Conservators or Racecourse were responsible for the maintenance of the track, as that responsibility lay with the Horse Race Betting Levy Board. As no reply had been received from the Board in response to letters sent to it by the Conservators (with regard to the maintenance of the track), officers were considering what further action could be taken.
g) Reinstatement of the afternoon ride at the top of Six Mile Hill (below where the polytrack used to start), and marking of the limits to the ride. The Streetcare manager informed the meeting that in the view of the Downskeepers, the condition of this area would continue to improve over time, and that no further works were required in this regard. It was noted that the TGMB representative would arrange for some railings to be placed at the location to guide hack riders away from areas that they were not permitted to access.
h) Cutting of grass on The Hill (the limits of the hatched area had previously been marked by distinctive cuts to the grass). It was noted that the Streetcare Manager would look into whether it would be possible to let the grass at the boundary of the area grow long, in order to more easily identify the area available for hack riding use.