1. Those present introduced themselves giving any relevant experienced they had.

2. CROW Act 2000, Local Access Forum, & Rights of Way Improvement plan.
a. Members of the Mid & West Berks LAF with equestrian interests are John Winkley & Margaret Pawson (carriage driver). The LAF is chaired by David Gardiner (highly involved with GLEAM), vice-chairman is Jane Keily (Chairman of West Berks Ramblers).
b. The Mid & West Berks LAF has to produce a Rights of Way Improvement plan (ROWIP) by 2007 but the consultation process is starting now. Elaine Cox, Senior Rights of Way officer at West Berks Council, has asked us to let her know what our major problems are & give her specific items that we would like addressed. She has to balance these with the needs of other users, landowners etc. She will be consulting organizations, such as the BHS, Ramblers & Parish Councils etc
c. A copy of the types of improvement which were being sought was given out

3. BHS Ride-UK initiative (www.Ride-UK.org.uk)
a. There are 3 promoted long riding routes in West Berks already (Ilsley Downs Riding route; Downland villages Riding route - both marked on the Explorer map; 3 Downs link (plus, I think, one/two shorter routes in Ilsley/Compton area). The Ride-UK initiative includes the idea of shorter community circuits which can be interlinked like Olympic rings & connect to the longer routes. This then provides for short safe routes for everyday use.

4. Points discussed
a. Those who have influence with Parish Councils should try to work with them to get horse-friendly decisions made. Parish Councils are due to be contacted about the ROWIP.
b. It would be useful to have the official number for each track. Action: Jane
c. Flyer to be produced asking riders for their riding problems & if they wish to be a contact. Action: Ted & Candy
Evidence of consultation with the wider riding community might be required in the future.
d. Candy circulated literature on the Toll Rides idea (TROT) (see www.tollrides.org.uk).
e. It was noted that Eling Estates & Engelfield Estates had a permitted riding route schemes. The Englefield route was about 5 miles. Eling Estate had identified specific tracks through the woodland near Hermitage/Cold Ash and north at Beedon.
f. After some discussion, it was thought best, at the moment, to submit the West Berks Riders' plan as a BHS submission, if the ideas of the group were compatible with those of Berkshire BHS and the BHS. Janice to follow this up. Action: Janice
g. The idea of forming a formal bridleways group was discussed.
h. Discussion indicated that vehicular traffic seemed to be the biggest threat to riders whether it was on surfaced or unsurfaced roads. This needs to be made clear the West Berks Riders plan. Is this compatible with the BHS position?
i. The current list of West berks Parishes represented and riders representing those parishes to be distributed to those present. Action: Janice
j. Riders should still push for any improvements they want done outside the ROWIP eg. where development is taking place. There are 3 employed West Berks maintenance rangers who go around the area throughout the year. Tracks requiring maintenance need to get on the maintenance list by contacting the ROW dept.
k. There was discussion on some particular tracks & routes & possible improvements. For the next meeting, riders to think about these, their justification, how they fit into existing routes & facilities (eg. council car parks usable by horse boxes), new community circuits. For example, the proposed Chieveley Community Circuit (under development) links into the existing 3 Downs link, could link into a Pang Valley Circuit, then to the east of West Berks to Bradfield area…..? Other circular links could link into these.

Meeting closed at about 10.30pm
Date of next meeting: Thurs 1st April 7.30pm at the Warren, Curridge to discuss specific ideas for improvements