Environment and roads

LAF field trips

Summer Field Trip, June 2005.

The Forum Summer Field Trip to Broxbourne woods led by Heidi Hutton, Projects Officer for CMS, proved a valuable insight into the improvements being made in the area. The Forum took a circular route from The Woodman public house which also included the newly constructed boardwalks nearing completion in Danesmead Nature Reserve, and sections of the roman road Ermine Street. A sculpture trail is planned for part of the wood and the tour provided a ‘before picture’ prior to the work beginning and the forum will have the opportunity to visit again in the autumn to see the finished result. The trip allowed the Forum to see and discuss several access points along the route.

Spring Gathering, April 2005

The Forum met for an evening at the Waterend Barn in St. Albans to informally discuss the Forum. Members had the opportunity to air their views on how the Forum was meeting it’s requirements and how further improvements could be made. Members also provided positive feedback from their time on the Forum and what discoveries they had made by working together as a group.

Winter Walkabout, December 2004

The Forum held their first annual walkabout on Friday 10th December. This provided the opportunity for the Forum to meet socially and experience, as a group, the reality of countryside access. The Forum followed one of the Chilterns Country Walks that are widely available, starting in Lilley. The local Countryside Access Officer Tom Goldsmith accompanied them on the walk and was on hand to answer questions. Tom pointed out some of the improvements that he and his team have made recently, as well as describing proposals for future improvements. Members of the Forum commented that the day “provided a first-hand experience of the problems faced by officers trying to make the countryside more accessible to the public.”