Cholsey Parish Council is considering building an all-weather path through the Recreation Ground, from the Pavilion carpark to the Church Road entrance next to Cholsey Brook/Cholsey Primary School.

An online community survey was launched at the 11th May Annual Community Meeting and open for responses via the Council’s website until 6pm on 14th June.

204 responses were received and the results were as follows.

Is there support for use of funds for this project? (Questions 1 and 2)

Question 1 asked respondents to indicate whether they considered building an all-weather path through the Recreation Ground to be a good use of funds.

In response to Question 1, of the 204 respondents, 78% considered the path a good use of funds; 17% did not consider it a good use of funds; and 5% were not sure.

116 free-text comments were then received under Question 2, which provided space for comments following Question 1.

An online summariser tool has been used to produce the below summary of Question 2 comments on whether a path would be a good use of funds:

Positive Feedback:

1. Accessibility and Safety:
   • The path would improve safety for children walking to school and for wheelchair/pushchair users.
   • It would provide a safer and cleaner route, especially in wet weather, preventing muddy and slippery conditions.
   • It would ease pedestrian congestion on narrow pavements around the village.
   • It would encourage more families to walk through the park instead of using busy roads.
   • It could potentially reduce parking congestion near the school by promoting walking.
2. Community Benefits:
   • Many respondents believe the path would be a valuable asset for the community, providing better access for people with mobility issues and making the park more usable year-round.
   • The path would offer a more pleasant walking experience across the park.
3. Support for the Idea:
   • A significant number of respondents think it is a great idea and support its implementation.
   • Suggestions for grants to fund the project were mentioned.

Negative Feedback:

1. Cost and Priorities:
   • Concerns were raised about the cost of building and maintaining the path, with some suggesting the money could be better spent on other village amenities.
   • Some respondents believe existing paths are sufficient if properly maintained and suggest focusing on improving current infrastructure.
2. Environmental and Aesthetic Impact:
   • There are worries that the path would spoil the natural look and feel of the park, making it more urban.
   • Some fear it might lead to further development, negatively impacting the green space.
3. Usage and Practicality:
   • Several respondents doubt the necessity of the path, arguing that it might not be widely used or that it could conflict with existing park uses like football pitches.
   • Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on wildlife and the need for additional lighting, which could increase light pollution.

Suggestions and Alternatives:

• Building the path with natural materials to maintain the park’s aesthetic.
• Ensuring the path is wide enough for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
• Considering alternative routes that minimize impact on recreational spaces.
• Linking the path to other parts of the village for greater connectivity.
• Maintaining existing paths and ensuring they are clear of overgrown foliage.

Overall: The survey responses reflect a mix of strong support and significant concerns. While many see the path as a valuable improvement for safety and accessibility, others worry about cost, practicality, and the environmental impact on the park’s natural feel.

Potential impact on personal use of the Recreation Ground (Questions 3 and 4)

Question 3 asked respondents to indicate whether they/their family would be more likely to use or walk through the Recreation Ground if an all-weather path were provided.

In response to Question 3, of the 204 respondents, 63% agreed or strongly agreed that a path would mean they would be more likely to use the Recreation Ground; 25% did not agree; and 12% were neutral.

126 free-text comments were then received for Question 4 which provided space for comments following Question 3.

An online summariser tool has been used to produce the below summary of Question 4 comments on whether a path would affect use of the Recreation Ground:

Frequent Use for School Commutes:

• Many respondents mentioned using the park path for walking children to and from school, especially during winter months when the ground is muddy.
• The path would provide a safer, more pleasant alternative to walking along narrow, busy roads.

Weather-Related Usage:

• The path would be particularly useful in wet and muddy conditions, making the park accessible all year round.
• Several parents highlighted the difficulty of pushing strollers and walking with young children on muddy ground.

General Benefits and Concerns:

• Respondents emphasized the path would improve accessibility for various activities like dog walking, running, cycling, and accessing local amenities (church, gym, pavilion).
• Some feedback suggested that the path would only be beneficial if it remained aesthetically natural and did not detract from the park’s greenery.

Mixed Opinions:

• While many see the path as a positive addition, some believe it is unnecessary and that people should adapt to the natural state of the park.
• Concerns were raised about the path encouraging overdevelopment and altering the character of the park.

Usage for Other Purposes:

• Families expressed interest in using the path for recreational activities like learning to bike ride, going to the skate park, and walking to local shops.
• Some respondents mentioned avoiding the park in wet weather and would welcome an all-weather path to enhance their experience.

Suggestions:

• A few suggested a perimeter path around the recreation ground for broader accessibility, including wheelchair users.

Overall, the feedback reveals a strong preference for an all-weather path to enhance safety and accessibility, particularly for school commutes and in poor weather conditions, while also noting some resistance to changes in the park’s natural landscape.