Decision details

Councillor Prue Bray declared an interest as a member of the Open Spaces Society, who had submitted an objection to this item. Councillor Prue Bray left the meeting room during the consideration of this item.

RESOLVED that the Executive;

i)      approved the making of an order for the closure of Footpath Remenham No 4, for a closure of an 80m section of the footpath for the set up and de rig of the Festival stage from Monday 3to Wednesday 5July 2023 inclusive and from Monday 10July to Tuesday 11 July 2023 inclusive;

ii)     included within the closure a 620m section for evening performances from

Wednesday 5July to Sunday 9 July 2023 inclusive and day time performances on Saturday 8July and Sunday 9 July 2023, under Section 16A of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, subject to the receipt of the requisite consent of the Secretary of State for Transport.

i)    approved a change to the process for any future applications for the closure of the Thames Path and the Blackwater Valley footpath to delegate the decision as to whether a closure will be made to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment.

Reason for decision

A request has been received from the organisers of the Henley Festival of Music and the Arts for the closure of part of the Thames Path National Trail at Remenham (Remenham Footpath 4). The Festival Trust applies annually for this closure to enable the safe management and execution of a locally and regionally enjoyed festival.

The Trust has stated that it is necessary to restrict traffic for the holding of the event and that it is not reasonable for the organisers to hold the event other than on the road in question.

The Authority is required to consider whether it is necessary for traffic to be restricted for the purpose of facilitating the holding of a relevant event and whether it is reasonably practical to hold the event otherwise than on the highway (in this case a footpath).

The applicant has stated that it is necessary to restrict traffic for the holding of the event and that it is not reasonable for the organisers to hold the event other than on the road in question.

Therefore, a decision is needed on whether to approve the making of the closure order if the event is to proceed. The duration of the closure is also required to be approved by the Secretary of State for Transport.