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Greenways and Quiet Roads are two initiatives, currently being promoted by the Countryside Agency, which aim to give better mobility and access for people on foot, bike or horseback or for people with disabilities. Greenways are designed for shared use and largely exclude motorised vehicles. Find out more on the website at www.quiet-roads.gov.uk The Countryside Agency's website at www.countryside.gov.uk/LivingLandscapes/ provides up-to-date, detailed information about the diversity and character of the countryside and the links between products from the land, farming and forestry and the rural economy. It explains how our decisions as consumers can have a strong influence on the countryside we cherish. Numerous case studies from around the country give an insight into ways people are supporting local shops and businesses - and benefitting the countryside we still value so much. Some products, because of their production methods, help to maintain the landscape and environmental quality of our countryside. And where they are processed or marketed locally, they can also provide new income and employment opportunities and reduce "food miles". 
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Campaign to Protect Rural England
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CPRE Berkshire campaigns for a more sustainable use of land and resources and, as such, is at the forefront of the fight to oppose the Government's imposition of an extra 70,000 houses in Berkshire by 2016. Stopping urban sprawl over the South East is now the highest priority for the CPRE . 2005 sees the 50th anniversary of the creation of Green Belts around our cities. It is now under threat as never before from current Government policy. Local groups will be active in the campaign to protect our Green Belts from massive house building as developers and speculators prepare to destroy our green countryside on an unprecedented scale. Contacts: Margaret Cubley,
Berkshire Branch Development Officer and Chairman of
Cookham and Bisham Branch, Tel: 01628 1SQ For more information visit www.cpre.org.uk |
Friends of the
Ridgeway
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Friends of the Ridgeway campaign for the peaceful recreational use of the Ridgeway and promote an interest in its history, geography, flora and fauna. Further information from the Secretary, Peter Gould on 0117 973 3059. |
GLEAM
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Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement (GLEAM) began in Berkshire and is a non-profitmaking association with the main aim of preventing damage caused by recreational motor vehicles on unsurfaced highways in the countryside. The 85 miles Berkshire/Oxfordshire Ridgeway has suffered particularly badly from "off-roaders" costing the old Berkshire County Council thousands of pounds to repair the damage. GLEAM was founded in 1995 and now has over 1,000 individual members. Parish Councils and local conservation groups concerned about damage to Green Lanes by motorised two- and four-wheeled vehicles are also welcomed as "corporate members". Around one hundred MPs and MEPs of all political parties are honorary supporters of GLEAM in Parliament to help achieve its aim of protecting peaceful and quiet enjoyment of the countryside. They ensure GLEAM's views are heard and that the reform and clarification of existing Rights of Way legislation is got right in the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill now going through Parliament For information on how to become a member contact Mrs Elizabeth Still JP, Secretary, GLEAM, P O Box 5206, Reading RG7 6YT Tel: 0118 971 2103 |
Open
Spaces
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The Open Spaces Society, the UK's oldest countryside organisation, campaigns to protect common land, village greens and open spaces. Contact Kate Ashbrook, 25a Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 2BA 01491 573535 Local Voices campaigns to preserve green field sites around Newbury. Contact Janet Griffin on 01635 47437. |
Parish Paths
Initiative
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The Parish Paths Initiative scheme operates in West Berkshire and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. The project is also part-funded by the Countryside Agency. A large number of parish councils and several local groups (including the East Berkshire Ramblers and Inkpen Rights of Way Committee) have joined since 1996, when the project came to Berkshire. The objective of PPI is to encourage local people to become involved in looking after and promoting their local paths. Funding for a whole raft of improvement works and promotional material is available to those parish councils and local groups that become members. Some examples are:
A variety of different people can be employed to undertake the work, including:
Although Countryside Agency funding comes to an end on 31 March 2002, the project will continue in some form. It is likely that PPI will be more closely allied with mainstream rights of way work in the future, with a chance to involve a greater number of volunteers. For more information on The Parish Paths Initiative in your area please contact: West Berkshire - Simon Barnett (Parish Paths Liaison Officer): (01635) 519808, e-mail SBarnett@westberks.gov.uk. Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead - Sharon Winfield (Public Rights of Way Officer): (01628) 796500, e-mail sharon.winfield@rbwm.gov.uk |
Ramblers
Association
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The East Berks Ramblers campaigns on improved access on paths in the county and works to encourage landowners, Parish Councils and others to arrive at suitable solutions to problems encountered on the ground. They also co-ordinate a comprehensive programme of walks throughout the year. Contact: Margaret Welch, Membership Secretary Tel: 01753 662139 The Mid Berks Ramblers work to protect footpaths in the southeast part of West Berkshire and fight unsuitable development in the countryside. They organise regular walks for members and the public. Contact: Elizabeth Cuff Tel: 0118 988 2674 The West Berks Ramblers group work to protect rights of way and campaigns for more access to open countryside. Organise walks and working parties. Website: www.wberksramblers.org.uk Contact: Jane Kiely Tel: 01635 32842 The Berkshire Group promotes rambling and improvement to the footpath network. Organise work parties and reports obstructions. Contact: Stuart Shurlock Tel: 0118 972 4835 The Pang Valley Group run walks for members and the public and similarly defends the footpath network in the northeast of West Berkshire. Contact: J Banks Tel: 0118 947 3686 |
Rights of Way|
In 1987 the Countryside Commission (now Countryside Agency) decreed that, by the year 2000, the entire Rights of Way network in England and Wales should be "legally defined, properly maintained, and well publicised". Rights of Way officers should be working to promote, protect and improve the network of paths within their areas and making sure they are free of any obstructions and hindrances. To report a problem you should contact your local ROW officer located in your council. West Berkshire: Sallie Jennings, Senior Rights of Way Officer at West Berkshire Council. Tel: 01635 519070 Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead: Anthony Hirst, Chief Rights of Way Officer. Wokingham: Graham Barnwell, Rights of Way Officer, on 0118 974 6333 for information on the Rights of Way network in Wokingham district. |
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