At last we have received the long awaited Epping Forest Transport Strategy
and the dates of the consultation sessions, which ends next week.
 
The observant among you will notice that some of the proposed improvements (eg the crossings on Rangers Road)
have already been done.  However, it does offer us the ideal opportunity to identify any changes we need, eg making
sure the proposed crossings on Bury Road are exactly where we want/need them: opposite Jubilee Retreat and where we
must cross roads in various races.
 
I think we would broadly welcome this, but will have some comments on the detail, like ensuring that cattle grids
have a decent pedestrian alternative.  Would any such cattle grids stop us running any road race routes we might
want to use in the future?
 
Given the short notice of the consultation events, I suggest it's worth Orion Harriers SWIFTLY drawing up a
list of concerns/questions and putting in a written response and asking for a short meeting on the detail.
 
Could everyone try to look at the document ASAP(!) and let me have any comments on the detail as soon as possible.
 
Tim Wright, Orion Captain

Below is a copy of the accompanying email



A pdf copy of the strategy Document is here
and a copy of dates for drop in venues to discuss with Forest staff is here




EPPING FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY

PUBLIC CONSULTATION 17th NOVEMBER 2008 TO 31st JANUARY 2009

Enclosed with this email is a document entitled Epping Forest Transport Strategy. We are sending it to you
as you have recently expressed an interest in receiving further information by e-mail about Forest management
related to our Branching Out project. 

The Transport Strategy is the result of a partnership between Essex County Council and the City of London
Corporation as Conservators of Epping Forest. The document contains a wide range of ideas and proposals
about which we are seeking your comments and further suggestions. Some of these proposals, namely the 
cattle grids and some of the proposed gateways form part of the Branching Out project. Essex County
Council as highways authority is looking to implement the Transport Strategy as part of its Local Transport
Plans over the next 7 – 8 years.

The two London Boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest have also been involved in discussions recently and
although a strategy for the London part of the Forest is less advanced these two local authorities would 
also be interested in the feedback from the consultation to assist in their further development of the 
Strategy with the Conservators. Some proposals for London are presented in the document.

Also enclosed with the document is a list of drop-in venues in December where ECC and Conservators’ staff will
be available to talk about the Strategy. 

Also you can give response at www.essex.gov.uk/efts where there is an online questionnaire.