+ Now that the Borough Council has approved its new development plan for the Track, the Friends of the Old Railway are once again back in action. I've pastedthe minutes of the last meeting at the foot of this post.
Despite the fact that encroachment by vegetation has reduced the width of some sections to less than 1m there are some very positive stories.
The North York Moors National Park have installed lots of signs in the rural areas to let users know about local facilities.
Self explanatory National Park sign at Hayburn Wyke
Between Hayburn Wyke and Staintondale station there used to be a farm crossing made up of old sleepers. These were a well noted hazard and have now been removed.
Further North there was a section of Track that had been reduced to two narrow gulleys, one of which was so full of old bricks that it was unusable. This section has now been given a new surface that will drain properly into the original drains and water should no longer run straight down the Track.
Restored Surface with drain on the left
A little further north there's a section that runs along a steep sided embankment. A fence has been put up to reduce the risk of users going over the edge.
Safety fence above steep drop
Finally, we are well aware of possible conflicts of interest among different Track users. We know that problems are much reduced if the Track is wide enough for two people to walk companionably side by side while still leaving room to pass but I've spent quite a lot of time thinking about producing a suitable etiquette for different users that would enable everyone to enjoy the Track in harmony. Here's my suggestion.
People on bikes: Slow down or stop for horses and pedestrians
People on foot: Move left when being passed
People on horses: Be prepared to slow down or stop
People with dogs: Keep them under control
+ for your info
Friends
of the Old Railway
Minutes
of meeting held 10/7/19
at
17 Alexandra Park
Attendance.
John
Ritchie (Chair), Andy Sharp, Dilys Cluer, Chris Goode, Neal Osborne,
Dave Evans, Denise Sangster, Keith Sangster and Bob Marley
Apologies.
Helen
Percival and Tim Burkinshaw
Correspondence.
Helen
Percival had written to give apologies for herself and Tim
Burkinshaw. Tim is organising a Cinders event for the beginning of
September to do grassland management at Hawsker. He would like
suggestions for work to be done at the Scarborough end. Helen noted
that there was still £1500 of Section 106 money available to be
spent on signage (see later discussion). She also invited us to use
their new office facilities at Dean Road
Cinder
Track Steering Group Report. Andy
gave a run down of the participants in the new Cinder Track Steering
Group, which replaces the former Management Committee, and it was
agreed to work through the Group wherever possible. We noted the
Sustrans success in obtaining significant Dept of Transport funding
for the urban section leading into Whitby and of other possible
funding opportunities.
Andy to check up on how
the Sirius minerals programme of funding is developing.
Bob and Dave to ask the
National Park about the Section 106 money they have received, or
expect to receive from Sirius.
Likely
Future developments. It
was noted that the next stage of the High Mill Farm development is
about to go through planning and that this is thought to include a
bridge over the Scalby Cut and a connection to the Track. Dilys and
others to check.
Signs.
(see
above). Andy suggested that the money for signs could go towards
producing ones that would establish an etiquette for users of the
Track (i.e establishing clear priorities for users and developing a
sense of responsible shared use) Bob to look into the Park's evolving
scheme “Care and Share”.
Aob.
Andy
to contact Tim Burkinshaw to find out what wildlife surveys have been
conducted for the urban section in Scarborough.
Time/date
of next meeting. Provisionally
set for 6.30 pm , Wednesday 9th
of October at the Council's Dean Road offices (subject to
confirmation)
Andy Sharp 11/7/19
