Chairman's update

“To all involved with our forum - thank you for your hard work over the last 5 years.

We achieved a great deal together. We kept meeting regularly and stayed focused. COVID 19 restrictions affected attendance, site visits and maintenance work, but we adapted well and continued to give clear, constructive advice.

We also delivered many successes. Routes were improved, accessibility increased, and several new paths were added to the Definitive Map, strengthening the local network for a wide range of users. Much of this success was achieved through close partnership working with Bracknell Forest Council officers and landowners, who supported project delivery and site based improvements.

It was wonderful to welcome many new voices. Representation from trail riders, disabled users and horse riders strengthened our discussions and has made our advice more inclusive.

Looking ahead, we have important shared work to take forward from 2026. The Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) review will be a major focus, requiring continued collaboration with partners and careful assessment of future access needs across the borough. We will also keep scanning for new opportunities and emerging challenges so we can respond effectively as circumstances evolve. 

Thank you once again for your time, your insight and your steady support. Your involvement continues to make the forum effective and reliable in its work.”

Colin Bird
LCAF Chair

Introduction

This review summarises the work of the Bracknell Forest Local Countryside Access Forum (LCAF) over the past 5 years. 

It combines all annual updates from 2021 until 2025 into an easy to digest report. It gives LCAF members, residents and key partners an overview of the forum’s work. It celebrates successes and reviews where there’s room for improvement.

It also fulfils LCAF’s duty to prepare an annual report on the discharge of its functions, and for Bracknell Forest Council (as the appointing authority) to publish the report. This is as per Section 13 (1) and (2) of The Local Access Forums (England) Regulations 2007.

Forum meetings

The forum held 3 meetings each year, with a median attendance per meeting of between 8 and 9 members. 

The meetings were supported by at least 3 Bracknell Forest Council officers, who recorded the minutes and gave updates on key matters with a Power Point presentation.

There were guest speakers from The Crown Estate and Berkshire Age UK. Observers included local councillors, the Binfield Parish Council clerk and 2 representatives from the Don’t Lose Your Way saving lost paths campaign.

Membership

The forum was delighted to welcome new members, with interests in:

Improvements to the network

LCAF has supported Bracknell Forest Council with many improvements to local rights of way over the past 5 years.

Assistance included:

• providing suggestions for new routes and links
• advising how to improve accessibility
• assistance with replacing step over stiles with accessible gates
• consultation feedback on matters relating to rights of way (such as Public Path Orders, Definitive Map Modification Orders, obstructions and local development)

Vegetation clearance was the most frequent improvement. We also deliver an annual programme of vegetation maintenance.

Surface improvements, signage and waymarking also saw high activity.

Drainage, access and legal orders were less common but still notable.

Removal of step-over stiles for access improvements was less than in previous years. This is due to the previous success of our partnership programme to replace step over stiles with accessible gates. There is now only 1 public footpath in the borough which has traditional stiles.

These improvements to access are thanks to strong partnership working between LCAF, volunteers, organisations such as the South East Berkshire Ramblers and landowners. Find out more on our Improving our rights of way web page.

Improvements made

Challenges faced

The impact of COVID-19

England entered its third national lockdown on 6 January 2021. This brought back strict stay at home rules due to the spread of the Alpha variant. This set the context for the LCAF throughout 2021.

During this time, the forum reported unprecedented use of public rights of way and outdoor spaces, as residents relied heavily on local green areas for exercise and recreation. This led to erosion, wear on unsurfaced paths, and increased maintenance needs, with budgets monitored closely. People often walked beside paths to maintain social distancing, causing additional pressure and raising accessibility concerns for wheelchair users.

COVID-19 restrictions also shaped how the forum met and worked. Several meetings in 2021, including June and October, were held over Zoom instead of in person. Practical work such as site visits, inspections and some Rights of Way Improvement Plan tasks remained delayed due to earlier and ongoing pandemic constraints.

Member engagement was also affected, with some members not attending for some time. The forum planned a recruitment drive once conditions allowed more normal interaction. Despite these challenges, LCAF recognised the positive benefit of residents making greater use of local outdoor spaces during the pandemic.

Winkfield Footpaths 13 and 19 diversions

Winkfield Footpaths 7, 13 and 19 are 3 public rights of way which cross land owned by the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club. 

In 2020 there had been several complaints from footpath users about the obstruction to Winkfield Footpath 13 caused by large scale works on site. The council worked with the landowner to resolve this issue, which led to the landowner submitting a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order to temporarily divert the footpath. In 2021, this was followed up by a full Public Path Order application to permanently divert footpaths 13 and 19. This was required to keep footpath users separate and safe from equestrian activity.

LCAF was consulted on the permanent diversions. This included the temporary closures and diversions required while sections of the new route were upgraded, which allowed people to continue to move through the area safely.

Challenges faced in delivering these diversions have included:

• missing signs
• waterlogging and poor route surface condition
• obstructions to the footpaths
• delayed communication
• stretches of the temporary route following a busy internal road, making it unsuitable as a permanent footpath

Council officers and the Polo Club worked together to resolve these problems, clarify responsibilities and complete the necessary improvements. 

Once this work was finished, the diversions were confirmed in October 2025, which was reported to LCAF. The diverted footpaths now provide safe, clearly marked and accessible routes that meet both public needs and the Polo Club’s operational requirements.

Consultation advice provided

Definitive map and statement consolidation

The council updated and consulted LCAF on the definitive map consolidation, providing progress updates and inviting member comments at both stages.

The definitive map and statement is being updated to include all legal changes since 2013. This includes correcting errors and ensuring an accurate record of rights of way. LCAF has been consulted throughout, with the work discussed at their regular meetings and feedback provided to officers.

Improving Horseshoe Lake path accessibility

LCAF members Sharon Fletcher and Les Langley visited Horseshoe Lake in mid January 2024. They found that the path was too narrow for wheelchair users. They also noted that the camber of the lakeside path made movement difficult and unsafe. Another wheelchair user had reported the same camber problem.

This feedback was used to help shape plans for future path improvements. By the June 2025 meeting, the forum received confirmation that a new surface had been installed and remained in excellent condition. This resolved the earlier concerns.