1) Introduction

The common covers an extensive area (in excess of 500 ha.) comprising a mixture of landscape types and is crisscrossed by a network of both formal and informal paths. It consequently provides ample opportunities for quiet informal recreation.

2) Background

A range of recreational activities occur on the common - walking (either with or without dogs) being the most popular, followed by cycling, running and horseriding.

There is a long history of use of the common for informal recreation, both pre-dating recent military use of the site and occurring concurrently with it (on areas outside the old perimeter fence).

3) Rights of access

• Under the Greenham and Crookham Commons Act 2002 the public have a right of access to the common and any additional open space on foot for the purpose of open-air recreation.
• The public also have a right of access on horseback and bicycle on certain defined paths and tracks and additional open space to be determined in consultation with the Commission.
• There is only one designated public right of way wholly on the common (a footpath at Sandleford Heath).
• The council has a duty to prepare and regularly update a map showing the common, additional open space and highways.

4) Restrictions

• There is no public right of access in a vehicle.
• The council has the power to regulate or prohibit access to parts of the common in the interests of public safety, for restoration or conservation, protection of flora and fauna (including livestock) of prevention of the risk of fire.
• There are also a series of byelaws/draft regulations relating to the common to secure the conservation of the natural beauty of the area, preservation of order and prevention of nuisance, good management and public safety.

5) Facilities

• The council has the power to provide other facilities relating to use of the common for informal recreation – including provision of tracks and paths for use by those on horseback, bicycles and disabled persons; provision of waste bins, picnic sites and public conveniences (off the common) and make provision, with the agreement of the commission, for other such facilties.

6) Access to the common – current position

• There are a large number of access points (how many, certainly 20+? – refer to map) onto the common for members of the public. In the fenced area, wooden bridle gates positioned off the main car parks and opposite public rights of way and permissive paths give easy access. In the unfenced portion there are numerous permissive routes and trodden paths.
• There are several clearly defined tracks on the common providing the main routes across the common for the bulk of visitors. Several of these correspond with parts of the former airbase infrastructure whilst other paths provide links between and around key features. On any large site such as Greenham and Crookham Commons there are also any number of smaller paths used by regular walkers.
• The Greenham and Crookham Commons leaflet highlights 4 specific walking routes. These have been waymarked on the ground with posts bearing colour codes relating to each route. The leaflet has a short description of each route and also shows the main permitted paths and public rights of way that lead up to the common, giving access to and from Newbury, Thatcham, Brimpton and across the County boundary into Hampshire. Identical but enlarged interpretive maps at the main car park entrances also bear this route information.
• There are three main car parks adjacent to the common (Pyle Hill, Control Tower and Crookham) and several informal laybys. The Control Tower car park has capacity for …cars, Pyle Hill …cars, Crookham …cars with another …spaces available in laybys.
• There are no public conveniences on site.

7) Access to the common – issues to address

• Visitor management.
• Use of the common by motorcyclists (specifically trail bikes, quad bikes and mini-motos), particularly specific areas of Crookham Heath/Brushwood Gully and the re-landscaped area. This activity is dangerous on a public site and causes damage to the site and flora. It causes disturbance to resident fauna, livestock, commoners and residents, and jeopardises other users.
• Use of the common for other activities that cause damage and disturbance or are incompatible with the overall objectives of management either for all or part of the year and/or in certain areas – e.g. dogs not under control/off lead in sensitive areas and in the bird nesting season (1 March – 31st July) kite flying, model aircraft, radio controlled model cars, galloping horses/lunge-rein training, fires/barbeques.
• Poor waymarking of main routes (no directional arrows on posts, clearer signing required, more posts required on certain routes) there is no waymarking of other permitted routes or routes available for horseriders and cyclists.
• No advertised provision of 'access for all' (DDA 1995 compliant) routes either in the leaflet or on the ground, despite there being many potentially suitable routes.
• No public conveniences on or adjacent to the site.

8) Aims and Objectives (2009 – 2014)

• Formalise and map specific routes for horseriders and cyclists.
• Maintain and improve the main designated tracks across the common and asssociated access points, where necessary. This will make them usable by visitors with limited mobility or other disabilities in addition to cyclists, riders and walkers.
• Solve/address issues relating to dogs off leads and/or not under control on the common during the nesting season (ground nesting bird season) and at other times/areas.
• Solve/address other issues relating to inappropriate use of the common (motorcycling etc.).
• Improve provision of waymarking for main routes. This needs to be in keeping with the landscape and aesthetics, recognisable and consistent with other site signage and interpretation.
• Improve signing of routes to and from the common from the main adjacent population centres and within the West Berks Living Landscape Project Area. This needs to be in keeping with the landscape and aesthetics, recognisable and consistent with other site signage and interpretation.
• Improve signage at main entrances in particular relating to regulations governing activities on the common. This needs to be in keeping with the landscape and aesthetics, recognisable and consistent with other site signage and interpretation.
• Encourage more visitors to use sustainable modes of transport to visit the site, particularly 'local users' from Thatcham and Newbury.
• Improve provision of interpretive materials on and off-site – e.g. downloadable audio guides for site/walking routes, improved maps at site entrances (e.g. orthographic projection maps).
• Improve visitor management to minimise impact on resident flora and fauna (including livestock) – e.g. zoning, simple signage, press releases at key times of year.
• Major events – Orienteering.
• Public conveniences?

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