Removal of cycling provision in Windsor Great Park
Dear The Crown Estate,
Re: Cycling in Windsor Great Park
In 2020, you banned cycling along the road in the Deer Park, that runs around the Copper Horse (in addition to the pre-existing ban on The Long Walk). You additionally banned cycling along the south side of Virginia Water Lake. These bans are still in place in 2022 according to your website.
Please may I request any documents that detail any reasoning or justification behind the decision to implement these bans in 2020 and any documents relating to a decision to continue with the bans in 2021 or 2022, rather than than revert to the pre-pandemic state. In particular I would like to know what (if any) risk or safety assessments were carried out before banning people on bicycles in these areas.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Bartlett
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[1]The Crown Estate
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[2]thecrownestate.co.uk
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[6][The Crown Estate request email]
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6. mailto:[The Crown Estate request email]
Dear Peter Bartlett
Your information request (1452)
I am writing in response to your email of 21 April 2021 which contained
requests which we have considered under the Freedom of Information Act
2000. In your email, you wrote:
1) In 2020, you banned cycling along the road in the Deer Park, that runs
around the Copper Horse (in addition to the pre-existing ban on The Long
Walk). You additionally banned cycling along the south side of Virginia
Water Lake. These bans are still in place in 2022 according to your
website.
2) Please may I request any documents that detail any reasoning or
justification behind the decision to implement these bans in 2020 and any
documents relating to a decision to continue with the bans in 2021 or
2022, rather than revert to the pre-pandemic state. In particular I would
like to know what (if any), risk or safety assessments were carried out
before banning people on bicycles in these areas.
Please find responses to your questions below.
Windsor Great Park regulations state in section 3(9) that it is prohibited
to cycle in any part of the Park except on the hard roads in the Northern
Section of the Park and in the Southern Section of the Park except on the
road between Blacknest Gate and Cumberland Gate and along Duke’s Lane.
Section 3(10) also prohibits cycling where it endangers or is likely to
endanger the safety or to interfere with the comfort and convenience of
any person using the Park. The regulations can be found [1]here.
We regularly review how our visitors use the Park with the health & safety
for all, our highest priority. The Park has seen a dramatic increase in
the number of visitors over the past couple of years and as a result we
have made the changes that we have, to ensure that everyone can enjoy the
Park safely, together.
· The route across the top of the Long Walk was a temporary
closure in August 2021 and, following positive feedback we received from
our visitors, this temporary closure was made permanent in October 2021
· Virginia Water was closed on 29 March 2021, initially for a
trial 2-week period and again, following positive feedback from our
visitors, the permanent closure was confirmed on Monday 12 April 2021
The result of the changes that we have made is that 2 miles of route were
restricted at Virginia Water and 1 mile in the Deer Park. Just under
fourteen (13.43) miles remain available in the Great Park including a
number of circular routes in the centre of the park, with further cycling
available in Swinley Forest.
During these temporary closures staff were in place at entry routes to
advise of the restrictions and take feedback. The overriding majority of
feedback, given verbally, was of understanding and support. Written
feedback was monitored at the time, we received 7 emails in support of the
closure and 11 complaints. We also saw a reduction in complaints about
speeding and dangerous cycling activity in these areas for the same. The
changes we made were to improve safety and to ensure the comfort and
convenience of any person using the park. No formal research or
assessments were necessary and we therefore do not have this documentation
to share with you.
I hope that this information is helpful. However, if you are not satisfied
with the way we have handled your information request, you may appeal our
decision which will then be investigated through an internal review.
Beyond that, you have the right to refer any complaint directly to the
[2]Information Commissioner.
Yours sincerely
Aimee Gasston
Transparency Manager
Aimee Gasston | Transparency Manager
M: +44 7552 863 512 T: +44 20 7851 5046
[3]The Crown Estate
1 St James's Market, London, SW1Y 4AH
[4]thecrownestate.co.uk
[5]LinkedIn [6]Twitter [7]Instagram
[8][email address]
LEGAL DISCLAIMER - IMPORTANT NOTICE
The information in this message, including any attachments, is intended
solely for the use of the person to whom it is addressed. It may be
confidential and subject to legal professional privilege and it should not
be disclosed to or used by anyone else. If you receive this message in
error please let the sender know straight away. The Crown Estate's head
office is at 1 St James's Market London SW1Y 4AH.
We cannot accept liability resulting from email transmission.
From: Peter Bartlett <[9][FOI #856388 email]>
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2022 10:41 PM
To: Enquiries <[10][The Crown Estate request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Removal of cycling provision in
Windsor Great Park
Dear The Crown Estate,
Re: Cycling in Windsor Great Park
In 2020, you banned cycling along the road in the Deer Park, that runs
around the Copper Horse (in addition to the pre-existing ban on The Long
Walk). You additionally banned cycling along the south side of Virginia
Water Lake. These bans are still in place in 2022 according to your
website.
Please may I request any documents that detail any reasoning or
justification behind the decision to implement these bans in 2020 and any
documents relating to a decision to continue with the bans in 2021 or
2022, rather than than revert to the pre-pandemic state. In particular I
would like to know what (if any) risk or safety assessments were carried
out before banning people on bicycles in these areas.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Bartlett
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