Agenda item

Report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath.

The Committee considered a report of the Superintendent of Hampstead Heath regarding the enforcement of Byelaw 10, which currently imposed a ban on cycling at Highgate Wood.

Members noted that there was and should be an emphasis on pedestrian priority in Highgate Wood, despite the increased usage of bicycles in London in recent years. The Highgate Wood Conservation and Trees Manager advised that staff would consult with the London Borough of Haringey (LBH) to help make Muswell Hill Road a safer cycling route if the recommendation to maintain Byelaw 10 was agreed. In response to a member’s question, he added that the LBH would be looking into funding for improved cycling routes from Transport for London.

The Committee heard from the member of the public who had requested for the prohibition of cycling in Highgate Wood to be lifted based on the safer cycling environment the Wood offers compared to local roads. After careful consideration, members noted that the risk of collision with walkers would be too high as the current network of pathways in the Wood was not wide enough for both cyclists and pedestrians and that the surfaces were not suitable. The addition of separate cycling paths would also not be possible without the cutting down of trees to widen pathways, which would not be acceptable.

The Chairman noted that the view of this Committee that Byelaw 10 be maintained and enforced but that children under the age of 12 be allowed to cycle under close supervision would be passed on to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee.

RESOLVED – That:-

a)    the report be noted; and

b)    the views of the Highgate Wood Joint Consultative Committee be conveyed to the Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Queen’s Park Committee in May 2015.