Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2015/056

Contact: Steve Smith, Service Manager – Network and Asset Management Tel: (01865) 810435

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy (Commercial) (CMDE6).

Ilges Lane is currently a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) starting at Ilges Lane outside the Veterinary Surgery and exiting on the A329 Reading Road. The BOAT is overgrown and has the appearance of looking unused but carries legal public rights of way for walkers, cyclists, equestrians, carriage drivers, motor vehicles and private agricultural access rights. The existing surface is made up of hard core only in the locations of the wheel tracks.

There is an aspiration from Cholsey Parish Council to link new developments on the A329 with amenities in Cholsey Village by improving the surface of Ilges Lane, and making it usable for walkers, pushchairs and wheelchairs as well as cyclists, in all conditions. However, the effect of improving the surface to the lane’s full width, and by virtue of its BOAT status, will mean that motor vehicles may be more likely to use it as a ‘rat run’ to and from the village. An added complication is that Ilges has a curve which limits visibility, and hence there may be conflict between motorised vehicles and vulnerable users. It was therefore proposed to prohibit motor vehicles from using Ilges Lane and making a safer environment for vulnerable users. By necessity, Ilges Lane would need to be gated, in order to ensure appropriate enforcement is applied. However the gates will be accessible for all lawful users, i.e. disabled users, horse riders, cyclists and horse & carriages..

The report considers responses to a consultation for a proposed Traffic Regulation Order for Ilges Lane, Cholsey.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the approach to implement the scheme and to monitor any issues arising and to reconsider a TRO should the need arise. 

Agreed

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a consultation for a proposed Traffic Regulation Order for Ilges Lane, Cholsey currently a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) in order to regulate potential use of the Lane if improvements were made to its surface to link new developments on the A329 with amenities in Cholsey Village.

Mr Tole emphasised the need to balance concerns which had been expressed over the increased use and type of traffic which any improvement might attract and the future use envisaged for Ilges Lane.

Having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to him at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve the approach to implement the scheme and to monitor any issues arising and to reconsider a TRO should the need arise. 

Signed………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………..