To discuss any issues raised by Hack Riders Representatives, including the following:
· Reinstatement of the hack sand track
· Consultation on proposed parking on the Derby Arms triangle
· Use of hatched area and TGMB proposal
· Marker posts update
· Scrub clearance along hack ride (from Downs Road to Burgh Heath Road) in vicinity of top of Rifle Butts Alley
· Audit of signs on the downs
· Reinstatement of afternoon hack ride on Six Mile Hill, and appropriate signs, barriers and markers associated with the uphill end of the afternoon hack ride
· Maintenance of triangular hack area east of Downs House: procuring machinery to enable the grass to be cut and collected
Minutes:
The following matters were raised by the Hack Rider Representatives:
a) Hack Sand Track, foot of Walton Downs. The Hack Riders Representatives informed the Committee that no maintenance work had been undertaken to the track in the past 18 months and enquired whether any could be undertaken whilst the matter was being considered by the Conservators and Horse Race Betting Levy Board. The Committee was informed that legal advice to the Conservators was that it was not their responsibility to maintain the track, and that by doing so they would be opening themselves to liability should an incident occur on it.
Please note: further consideration of matters relating to this item are recorded within Minute 12 a) of this meeting.
b) Parking on land in front of Derby Arms public house. The Hack Riders Representatives informed the Committee that the perimeter of this area was marked as being open to pedestrian traffic on the Deposited Map for the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984, and asked whether it was intended to maintain this if the proposal to utilise it for event overflow parking (see Minute 13 a) above) was approved. The Head of Legal and Democratic Services informed the meeting that this was a matter for consideration during the public consultation.
Please note: further consideration of matters relating to this item are recorded within Minute 14 a) of this meeting.
c) Use of hatched area for hack riding. The Committee was informed that the Training Grounds Management Board would consider at it’s next meeting the likely timescale for opening the hatched area to hack riding use.
d) Hack marker post update. The Committee was informed that the Downskeepers had completed an audit of hack marker posts on the Downs, to identify those which required maintenance or replacement during the winter work programme. This had been provided to the Hack Rider Representatives prior to the meeting, for their information. It was noted that areas in which markings were ambiguous or unclear would be discussed with the Hack Rider Representatives to identify improvements.
e) Scrub clearance along hack ride in vicinity of top of Rifle Butts Alley. The Committee noted that some clearance work had already been undertaken in this area, but that further would be done.
f) Signs on the Downs. The Committee was informed that an audit of signs on the Downs had been completed by the Downskeepers and would be presented to the next meeting of the Conservators.
g) Reinstatement of afternoon hack ride on Six Mile Hill. The Committee was informed that extensive scrub clearance had been undertaken in this area, and that a flail-mower would be used to complete the works once the weather permitted. The Hack Rider Representatives highlighted that railings adjacent to the polytrack at the up-hill end of the area had been removed during works to extend the polytrack. The representatives expressed that these railings had previously assisted in directing hack riders away from trespassing onto the gallops.
h) Maintenance of triangular hack area east of Downs House – procurement of specialist cut and collect machinery. The Committee was informed that it had not been possible to procure specialist machinery to enable grass in this area to be cut and collected, due to its prohibitive cost.