Introduction

Under the Local Maintenance Partnership Scheme, St Buryan Parish Council undertakes to maintain the Public Rights of Way within the Parish. There are 5 km of paths classified as Gold.

All Gold paths must be cut twice a year.

There are 50 stiles which must be cut back twice a year.

Conditions

1. All clearance work is to be carried out to the satisfaction of St Buryan Parish Council. The work will be inspected after completion and the contractor will be required to make good, at their own expense, any defects which may have arisen within 4 weeks due to poor materials or workmanship, or immediately where a Health and Safety risk is evident or to ensure land management can take place.
2. The full width and sides of banks of footpaths shall be cleared by lopping, cutting and clearing vegetation and obstructions. Any growth from the top of the banks which may cause obstruction to the footpath shall also be cleared. A clear height of at least 2 metres is to be maintained over the width of the path. Footpaths shall be cleared as follows (these are minimum dimensions):

Footpaths: 1 metre each side of centreline of track (where possible)

Field edge: 1.5 metres away from field edge

Across open field: 1 metre width Height: 2 metres

Bridleways should be cleared to a width of 2.5 metres and to a height of 3.5 metres where the path corridor allows

3. All trimmings and fallen debris shall be gathered tidily to either side of the path so as not to cause any obstruction. Particular care should be taken to ensure that water courses are not blocked by debris and that all natural drainage is also clear of cuttings
4. Japanese knotweed – Knotweed must be left alone. DO NOT CUT IT OR PULL IT UP as this could cause it to spread. Please tie it back if you can. Please report the location of any knotweed (or any other invasive non-native plants) seen to be growing on or immediately adjacent to a path to the St Buryan Parish Clerk. Also, please note it on the contractor works schedule next to the relevant path number. (It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 if you cause Japanese Knotweed to spread).
5. Hand tools and suitable machinery may be used. No chemicals are to be used for clearing purposes unless specifically authorised in advance by the Parish Council in writing.
6. If a footpath appears to be deliberately blocked, the contractor must contact the Parish Council before proceeding with any further work at that location.
7. [Clearance shall not start before April 1, 2021 and the first cut should be completed by the end of May. The second cut should occur between August 1 and 30 September 2021.] The contract is to be completed by February 1, 2022 unless otherwise agreed. Any large scale clearance work which involves heavy cutting of woody material should be undertaken during the winter months to avoid disturbance to nesting birds.
8. Payment will be made upon completion of each phase of the work following submission of an invoice detailing the date of the cut or minor works and the hours spent. A check may be made by a member of the Parish Council prior to payment.
9. All contractors must have public liability insurance up to a minimum £5,000,000 (£5M). A copy of the insurance schedule is to be enclosed with the tender as verification.
10. Contractors are reminded that vehicular access to footpaths for the purpose of maintenance work is usually on private property and permission should be sought from landowners prior to using the vehicle. Where possible the contractor should liaise with landowners where livestock is present but only where a potential livestock impact has been previously notified to the Council and/or contractor.
11. Additional work as specified by the Clerk must be completed within fourteen days.
12. St Buryan Parish Council requires 3 months’ notice in writing from a contractor should he/she wish to cease working for the Council. Similarly, St Buryan Parish Council reserves the right to serve one month’s notice on a contractor for which the reasons will be explained at the time.
13. Maps showing the exact line of Goldpaths will be supplied by the Clerk on the award of the contract.

Sealed tenders (preferably including cost per linear metre) clearly marked St Buryan Parish Footpath Tender must be received by 10/9/21 and should be sent to:

Kate Picknett

Parish Clerk to St Buryan Lamorna and Paul Parish Council

Srpingfield

Mousehole Lane

Mousehole

PENZANCE

TR19 6TS

Clause 7 [  ] These dates are for future guidelines as obviously they have already passed.