BOCKING BLACKWATER NATURE RESERVE

IMPACT OF SURFACING WORKSPUBLIC FEEDBACK REPORTJULY 2016

Bocking Blackwater Feedback:

This feedback survey generated 58 responses. Details of the responses are given below including a

list of comments.

Tables to illustrate the responses from the Bocking Blackwater Feedback Survey:

This table illustrates that:

100% of people like the new tarmac surface

98% of people like the oak benches

97% of people like the Breedon paths

Satisfaction with the council “I felt the Council did a good job”

Strongly Agree 31 76%

Agree 10 24%

Disagree 0 0%

Strongly Disagree 0 0%

Total Responses 41

This table illustrates that:

100% of people feel that the Council did a good job

Satisfaction with the contractor – “I felt the contractor did a good job”

Strongly Agree 10 56%

Agree 8 44%

Disagree 0 0%

Strongly Disagree 0 0%

Total Responses 18

This table illustrates that:

100% of people that responded were happy with the contractor.

New improvements to Bocking Blackwater

I like the new tarmac surface I like the new oak benches

I like the new Breedon Aggregate paths (sandy/gravel)

Strongly Agree 48 83% 39 67% 26 45%

Agree 10 17% 18 31% 30 52%

Disagree 0 0% 1 2% 2 3%

Strongly Disagree 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

Total Responses 58 58 58

This table illustrates that:

100% of people that responded feel that the open space is now a better place and 98% feel

the open space is easier to get around and more convenient.

Most people feel that the open space is being used more.

Types of Activities

Walking Running Cycling Walking the Dog

Spending time with friends and family

I am meeting new people

I am able to get closer to nature

More 30 53% 12 22% 19 33% 12 22% 17 30% 19 33% 26 46%

The Same Amount

23 40% 12 22% 9 16% 10 18% 29 51% 31 54% 26 46%

I don’t Do This

4 7% 29 54% 28 49% 33 60% 11 19% 7 12% 4 6%

Less 0 0% 1 2% 1 2% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 1 2%

Total Responses

57 54 57 55 57 57 57

This table illustrates that:

53% of people are walking more at Bocking Blackwater

Nobody is walking less as a direct result of the changes to Bocking Blackwater.

Almost half of the people are cycling with 33% cycling more

People are spending more time with family and friends, meeting new people and getting

closer to nature.

Further comments on other activities:

Organised walking groups

Walking with Children

Walking

Cycling

Cycling with the family

Running

Badminton

Picnics

Satisfaction with the new open space

I feel the open space is a better place

I feel the open space is much easier to get around

I feel the open space is more convenient for me

I feel the open space is being used more by other people

Strongly Agree 45 78% 49 84% 41 71% 34 59%

Agree 13 22% 8 14% 16 27% 22 39%

Disagree 0 0% 1 2% 1 2% 1 2%

Strongly Disagree 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%

Total Responses 58 58 58 57

Further Comments on the works:

The completed works are a huge improvement on what existed and despite a few habitual

moaners I have heard nothing but praise for the project. Special thanks should go to the

contractor who managed to complete the works promptly and at times in difficult weather

conditions and with the minimum of mess. I would like to see a piece of artwork sited near

Straits mill to reflect the nature and heritage of the area.

It great. Shame the path from Gilbert way wasn't included in the plans as this was used a lot.

Now do the same at the back of the station across to Skitts Hill, and extend the riverside

walks right through from Rayne Road all the way to Black Notley.

Great job well done!

The contractors were very good and always friendly.

Thank you for an excellent example of public consultation and keeping us informed. I left an

item blank because there was no neutral (or "no opinion") between agree and disagree.

I feel the space is now easier to use by everyone as paths enable those who are les mobile to

walk easily along the river area on a more even surface. Also allows someone in a

wheelchair to be pushed easily in this open space and enjoy the surroundings with family

and friends.

The Facebook page you mention has been set up as a person. Instead of a group. A person

means you have to add them as a friend and this gives the person who is hiding behind it,

more access to your personal data. As a group, each individual can see and share info within

the group but does not automatically give other members of the group greater access to

your details. Until this is rectified, I for one would not be happy to join, even though this

lovely area interests me.

Excellent news. This has been a very good recovery of a difficult project. It received praise

from the Braintree Access Group at the last meeting.

I think the redevelopment has been a fantastic improvement to the area where I live, I have

literally been using the new paths almost every other day for walks or cycles with my

Children during the Festive holidays, running for health in the evenings or utilising the paths

for start or end of my recreational and commuting cycling. I have been quite overwhelmed

how many more people are down at the Bocking and Blackwater using the paths for dog

walking, walks with families or cycling. The path is also buggy and pram friendly now which

is great. I only scored the contractor works slightly lower as due to the works taking place in

autumn/winter it’s still very muddy and boggy off track until the reseeding is complete in

spring. Walkers may need a little education on that it’s a shared path with cyclists, even

when ringing a bell to warn walkers you are still given abuse or people do not stand to one

side. May become an issue if the area gets used more as the seasons improve.

There are no dog waste bins or rubbish bins on the top paths as promised! Come winter it's

impossible to reach the dog waste bins & some dog walkers are just throwing the filled bags

to the ground!! Please please can we have more bins to stop this happening.

Cyclists need to have more respect for other users of the paths.

All staff involved with the building and litter picking etc have been very friendly

It would be lovely to have more activity facilities for children and young people including

play park and skate park - more benches too - at the moment people are passing through

and not staying to enjoy the open spaces. A hut for events including a tea room / meeting

room would be amazing - maybe driven and funded by local schools, charities or

organisations and run by volunteers. Beautiful park though and lovely improvements 👍👍

Contractors were polite & considerate to me as a local resident re parking and updates on

work Job well done BDC

*The bit of gravel path near the wooden circular monument does tend to flood which isn't

great. * Would be great to see more events take place. * A parkrun/Junior parkrun would be

fab.

After a controversial start the whole process has shown how an area can gain from better

access

We use the space more regularly the paths have improved the space

the area has been greatly improved

play area for children might be a good addition

Thank you BDC for great work on this, more open spaces like this in Braintree please!! It

would be great if BDC could be involved in the centre management of the John Ray Park

recreation ground. Brilliant open space but being spout now by vandalism of derelict

buildings.

looks great lovely open space well kept

Grew up here nice to improve for youngsters cycling + fun

This open space has been developed to enable a range of activites ; it is definitely an

unknown area and a beautiful place to go.