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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee Meeting
on Thursday 17
th
APRIL 2025 at 8.00 pm
The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

PRESENT
Joan Miller
Nigel Roberts,
Ricky Allen
Peter Dent
Michael Hockley
Greame Woodcock
John Price

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION –

John and Rosaline Fretwell, of Clapper Farm came in response to an invitation. They have two public
footpaths across their land and they said they were huge supporters of footpaths, but they have
constant issues with dog fouling, littering and the paths are used illegally from time to time by horse
riders and motorcyclists. They have contacted Suffolk County Council and asked for permission to
erect kissing gates, but this has been refused. Apparently SCC do not permit kissing gates to be
erected when the path is fenced. They asked how do they stop trespass, people climb over and break
down fences and picnic in the fields.

They also had information about flooding in Flatford Road which had been passed onto SCC but
appeared to have been ignored.

It was agreed that Michael Hockley and John Price would meet Mr and Mrs Fretwell on site and walk
the footpaths.

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST –
There were no declarations of interests.

3. MINUTES –
NR proposed and GW seconded and the vote was unanimous, that the minutes of the RFF Committee
meeting dated 16
th
January 2025, were a correct record.

4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES –

There were no matters arising not covered by an agenda item.

5. FOOTPATH WARDEN (Rasik Bhadresa).The decision by the footpath warden not to meet
landowners was not well received. However JP said that the position is voluntary and for the
present a softly softly approach should be taken.

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6. WHITEHORSE ROAD SID CAMERA
GW had provided a “What 3 Word” suggested location for a speed indicator device (SID). This was
at the verges where Notcutts joined Whitehorse Road. Unfortunately this location was rejected by
SCC (Melanie Hall) as unsuitable so another location is required.

7. SPEED REDUCTION O UTSIDE SCHOOL
NR reported that a “teams” meeting was held on 28
th
January, present were PJA (Consultan),
Headmaster Dan Woodcock, SCC and EBPC representatives.

PJA had produced a stage 1 drawing. Topographical surveys were paid for by the Parish Council
and PJA used these to prepare an overview plan.

An email had been received today from PJA and the plan is to hold a virtual NHP meeting to
secure support for the proposals and then to look for village comments before submitting to Suffolk
County Highways.

It was noted that the factual “special conditions” to help justify a 20mph zone had not been
supplied to SCC.

8. DOG BINS Progress update from RA and MH
MH to advise Graham White of possible contractor for dog bins

9. Flatford Road Flooding
JP said that SCC were planning to investigate the drainage pipes. JP to chase.

10. CYCLEWAY TO MANNINGTREE
JP said David Falk from Suffolk County Council has walked the proposed routes except the historic
route and proposes that we concentrate on the routes on the south side of the river Stour. Aaron
Ashwood (from Colchester City Council) has made contact (against advice) with the major
landowner who has responded with “I feel it is important to let you know that I do not support this idea”.

So at present there is little progress.

11. SCC “COMMUNITY SELF HE LP SCHEME”
No volunteers at present

12. Speed limits for Touchy Hill, Mill Road and Straight Road.
Noted the fatal accident on 30
th
March 2025 where a lady has died on the blind bends of Touchy
Hill. The RFF Committee were unanimous for support for 30 mph limits. Also stop signs were
suggested for Gandish Road and Straight Road.
JP to meet with SCC

13. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS
Babergh visited the Elm estate and were shown an unsafe wall, this was subsequently assessed
by their structural team who confirmed the unsafe nature and their contractors demolished the wall
leaving a mess.

MH said £300 was needed to clean up the mess (using contractor Michael Hall) Proposed GW,
seconded MH. Passed unanimously

JP to take to SPF committee.

14. DATE OF NEXT RFF COMMITTEE MEETING 17/07/2025
Meeting closed at 9-45 pm