Agenda item

It was noted that some Members of the Committee had visited the site on 15 September 2016 and the Access and Rights of Way Officer tabled notes of the visit.

Photographs, a route plan, a designations plan and a plan showing public rights of way in Staffordshire were displayed at the meeting.

Appendix 13 was amended to show that the Alliance Trial commenced in 1911.

The Officer read out one response to the consultation that had been received before the end of the consultation but after the report had been published.

The following spoke under the public participation at meetings scheme:

·         Mr C Woods, Peak District Green Lanes Alliance, Peak Horsepower and Peak and Northern Footpaths Society, supporter.

·         Mr S Wardle, Supporter.

·         Mrs A Robinson, Friends of the Peak District and CPRE South Yorkshire, Supporter.

·         Mrs E Andrews, as she was unable to attend the meeting the Officer read out her prepared statement.

On behalf of the Authority the Chair thanked the speakers and all those who had submitted well considered and constructive representations.

During the discussion Members considered the following issues:

• Whether there should be exemptions for established motorcycle events and terms of any exemption that may be applied to an event

·         The legal status of the route. The Legal Officer confirmed the contents of paragraph 25 of the Committee report.

·         Maintenance of the route. As a member of Staffordshire County Council Cllr Mrs G Heath updated the Committee on action she had already taken regarding this issue and confirmed that she would continue to pursue it.

·         Alternative ways of making sure that the route was maintained including partnerships, volunteering and alternative funding streams.

As the Committee were minded to consider a permanent traffic regulation order with exemptions for named organised events the meeting was adjourned from 11.10am to 11.25am to allow officers to draft a recommendation on the possible wording of an appropriate motion.

Following the adjournment a motion to consult on a modification to the proposed order was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

That, as Members were minded to consider a modification of the order publicised to include an exemption for the Bemrose Trial, Reliance Cup Trial, Dave Rowland Trial and Northern Experts, an opportunity for further comments be made in accordance with Regulation 12 of the 2007 Regulations and representations arising from this, and the previous consultation, be reported thereafter to this committee.

Cllr A R Favell left the meeting at 11.10am during consideration of this item.