Rangers Handbook 2008

8/14/2019 Rangers Handbook 2008

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Making a differenceSustrans volunteer ranger handbook


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Welcome from our chief executive

Part 1 Your role as a ranger an introduction

Part 2 Getting started2.1 Your voluntary agreement with us

2.2 Volunteer support

Contacts, help and general information

Training

Event planning and safety

Insurance

Young people and vulnerable adults

Expenses

Discounts

2.3 Additional important information

Representing Sustrans

Disputes

Part 3 Teamwork who you need to know

Part 4 Ranger tasks4.1 Practical tasks

Signing

Litter, glass and fly-tipping

Vegetation control

Mileposts

Graffiti and other problems

Biodiversity

Workdays4.2 Promotion and events

Stalls and displays

Photography

Talks

Publicity champions

Rides and walks

Media contacts

Workplace activities

4.3 Fundraising

Sponsored and fundraising events

Fundraising champions

Part 5 Working safely5.1 Event plans and risk assessments

5.2 Carrying out practical work safely protective equipment and safe use of tools

5.3 Organising rides safely

5.4 Out on your own

5.5 Working alongside water

Part 6 AppendixWorkday checklist

Rides checklist

Available signs and sign order form

Defect report form

Expense claim form

Contacts and resources

Sustrans in your community

Contents Page3

4

5

10

12

26

31


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Welcome

3

Sustrans has always involved

volunteers to help us achieve our

vision of a world in which people

can choose to travel in ways that

benefit their health and theenvironment. We started more than

30 years ago with volunteer work

camps helping to build some of our

very first routes. Now more than

2,500 volunteers help in many

crucial areas of our work from

maintaining the National Cycle

Network to leading rides and walks

to enable more people to be active

in their everyday lives, and helping

Sustrans to enthuse children to

cycle to school.

You can promote our work by

distributing our publications or giving

a talk, or if you have the knowledge

you could join our team of technical

volunteers who have helped to design

bridges and culverts! Once you are a

Sustrans volunteer you will find a

range of opportunities to match boththe time and skills you can offer.

The ranger programme is our great

success story, and I am really pleased

that you have joined us. By being our

eyes and ears on the National Cycle

Network, volunteer rangers have

changed the face of Sustrans,

enabling us to do so much more,sharing local knowledge, and giving

us a presence in all corners of

England, Wales, Scotland and

Northern Ireland. You will work with

us and our partners to help keep local

routes well signed and maintained

and promote Sustrans and our work

in the community so that we attract

more support and become an even

more effective charity.

However you help, your donation of

time and effort enables us to reach

more people and build an even more

successful movement. Thank you for

your commitment to Sustrans. Now

read on and find out more about how

you can help us as a ranger and how

Sustrans will help you to help us.

Welcome to the UKs leading

sustainable transport charity

Malcolm Shepherd

Chief Executive

Sustrans is the UKs leading sustainable

transport charity.

Our vision is a world in which people choose

to travel in ways that benefit their health and

the environment. We work on practical,

innovative solutions to the transport

challenges facing us all. Sustrans is the charity

behind the award-winning National Cycle

Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It,

TravelSmart, Active Travel, Connect2 and

Liveable Neighbourhoods, all projects that are

changing our world one mile at a time.

To find out more visit www.sustrans.org.uk

or call 0845 113 00 65.

Sustrans, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green,

Bristol BS1 5DD.

Photo credits: Jonathon Hamill-Keayes (front

cover), Ken Groom (page 20), Kieran

Chambers (page 23), other rangers and staff.

Design: www.trmvs.co.uk

Proofreading by Paul Beverley:

www.archivepub.co.uk

Sustrans 2009 Registered Charity No.

326550 (England and Wales) SC039263(Scotland). VAT Registration No. 416740656

Sustrans Ranger programme is grateful for

support from the Welsh Assembly Government,

the Big Lottery Fund, the Scottish Executive,

many local authorities and charitable trusts.


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Part 1Your role as a ranger

an introduction

Practical tasksYou will usually be allocated a section

of route to help look after. Think of this

as your route and take a pride in it.

There are no set hours but we expect

you to check it at least once a month

(traffic-free) or once every two months

(on road) and to do what you can to

correct any problems following theguidelines in this handbook.

Look out for missing or damaged

signs, vegetation that is encroaching

onto the route, vandalism, litter and

any other damage to the route that will

put people off using it. If you cant

repair the problem yourself, report it to

the maintenance authority. Practical

ranger tasks can include replacing

missing signs, cutting back vegetation,

litter picking or organising a group or

public workday to deal with a bigger

problem such as filling in potholes or

widening the path by removing

encroaching vegetation. You may need

the permission of the landowner to

undertake some of these tasks.

Many rangers also offer practical help

in other areas of our work. There are

rangers who help Sustrans organise

events in schools with children, or lead

rides and walks for people keen to be

more physically active, or even design

bridges and drainage systems. What

you do depends on your skills,

interests and time. For full details turn

to Practical ranger tasks on page 12.

Promotional tasksThe work of Sustrans is benefiting

communities throughout the UK, and

we rely on rangers to help spread theword about Sustrans locally, thereby

making us a stronger and more

influential charity. You can do this by

distributing our publicity to local

outlets, organising publicity events

such as information stalls and family

rides, or giving talks in schools,

workplaces and other organisations.

For full details, turn to Promoting

Sustrans on page 21.

Fundraising

As a charity the money that we raise is

put to hard work within communities

UK-wide. Rangers make an important

contribution to fundraising by

organising sponsored events on the

National Cycle Network and running

other fundraisers, from pedalling

picnics to bicycle barbecues, and

jumble sales to virtual sponsored

sustainable journeys around the world!

For full details, turn to Fundraising for

Sustrans on page 25.

Rangers help Sustrans with practical tasks,

promotion and fundraising. You will do some

of these tasks by yourself, and others

together with your fellow volunteers. On

average, rangers spend five hours a month

helping Sustrans, but many volunteers choose

to donate much more time than this.

Yourroleasaranger


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Gettingstarted

Part 2 Getting started

2.1Your voluntaryagreement with usWe expect you to perform your

volunteer ranger role to the best of

your ability and that you will:

promote the aims and values of

Sustrans

help to monitor and maintain your

allocated local route at least once a

month if it is traffic-free and at least

once every two months if it is onroad

inform us if you are no longer able to

carry out your ranger tasks

follow Sustrans volunteer guidelines

relating to volunteer ranger tasks, as

explained in this handbook,

newsletters and at ranger days

work safely at all times and implement

the Sustrans risk assessment

procedures in this handbook

attend your next regional ranger day

as a new ranger and then attend a

regional ranger day at least every

other year

work co-operatively as part of a

team with other volunteers, Sustrans

staff and our partners such as local

authorities

respect the confidentiality of contact

details of other volunteers and staff

familiarise yourself with Sustrans and

its many different projects.

2.2Volunteer support

We will do the best we can to makeyour volunteer experience with us

enjoyable and rewarding and to

enable you to carry out your agreed

tasks.

Contacts, help and generalinformation This ranger handbook is essential

reading for new and established

rangers. It has all the information that

you need to get started as a ranger.

Please make sure that you are familiar

with it, and use it as a reference tool

to guide your volunteer activities.


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Gettingstarted

6

The contact sheet enclosed with thishandbook will help you to work as

part of a team with fellow volunteers,

Sustrans staff and our other partners.

Use it to make contact with other

local rangers, and also with your

volunteer liaison ranger if you are part

of a local Sustrans volunteer group.

Liaison rangers coordinate Sustrans

volunteer groups and are an excellent

source of advice and information and

will be able to tell you about any

planned group events and meetings.

The VolunteerNet is a goldmine of

information. Its a password-protected

website for Sustrans volunteers. It is

regularly updated with the latest

news, and contains contact details of

key staff and liaison rangers, has

regional and country pages,

information on other Sustrans

projects, a lively discussion forum,

downloadable publications and useful

forms for you to use, including risk

assessments and expense claims.

You can link to Sustrans volunteer

group websites from the local pages,

post your pictures on the photo

album, use the calendar to list your

events, or ask a question on the

forum. If you want to find out how to

do something, or ask other rangers

for advice, this is the place to be.Log on at

www.sustransvolunteers.co.uk

using your full name as username and

your ranger number as password.

Your volunteer support office will be

pleased to hear from you and help

answer any questions, however big or

small. They can also provide you with

a lot of practical support from things

such as litter pickers to helping to

publicise your events, or even

attending your local volunteer group

meeting. We have listed your

volunteer support office on your

contact sheet and they are all listed atthe back of this handbook.

Your liaison ranger will be able to

give you more information about local

contacts, group meetings and

activities, and other ways that you

can help Sustrans locally.

the movement, the magazine for

Sustrans volunteers, is your

biannual magazine published every

spring and autumn. Tell us what you

have been doing so that we can

inform and inspire others. Send your

photos and articles to the volunteer

support office at Sustrans in Bristol.

Training Ranger days are a must for new and

experienced rangers. They are usually

held annually in Scotland, Wales and

Northern Ireland, and in most of the

English regions. They change location

from year to year to give as many

rangers as possible the opportunity to

attend. Well write to you when there

is a ranger day near you. We expect

you to come if possible, so well pay

your fares and ensure that you have a

fun, informative and sociable day out

that will inspire you and keep you

motivated.

Youll begin with a local ride, meetother rangers and Sustrans staff and

hear the latest news on the National

Cycle Network and all our other

activities. We will update you on all

issues relevant to rangers, such as

signing and how to plan events, so

you feel entirely confident volunteering

for Sustrans. The emphasis is on

discussion, so be prepared to talk!

We want to know what you think

about Sustrans and the ranger role.

Its also our opportunity to say a big

thank you for all you do for us.

Your volunteer

support office

will be pleased

to hear from you

and help answer

any questions,

however big orsmall.


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Gettingstarted

7

Local group meetings are

organised on an occasional basis

usually by your liaison ranger. They

are an opportunity for all local

volunteers to get together, share

experiences and tips, and make

plans. Sustrans staff from the

regions or the volunteer team may

sometimes attend, so they can be

an excellent way for you to keep in

touch without travelling far.

Event planning and safetySustrans takes the safety of its

volunteers and the public very

seriously. Sustrans has event planning

and risk assessment procedures for

you to use. They apply both to lone

working as a volunteer ranger and also

to group activities. They are simple,

clear and systematic, and will help you

to plan enjoyable, well-organised and

safe events. Risk assessment

procedures are needed for most

events such as public rides and

volunteer workdays, and for all events

on canal and river paths and those

involving young or vulnerable people.

Protective and/or high visibility clothing

may be needed for some events.

Power tools may not be used by

volunteers without both relevant

training and approval by local staff.

Please ensure that you read Part 5,

page 26 on working safely. If you

have any questions, contact your

volunteer support office for further

advice.

InsuranceSustrans holds public liability insurance

cover that applies to all volunteer

rangers and participants in Sustrans

events. (We do not provide personal

accident cover.) Volunteer rangers

acting on Sustrans behalf, and doing

so in accordance with the issued

guidelines on health and safety in this

handbook, are protected from claims

against them by our insurance policy.

By following the event planningprocess, completing the risk

assessment form and then

implementing your plan, you are

demonstrating that you are taking

reasonable steps to prevent an

accident happening.

Young people, vulnerableadults and SustransSustrans encourages the participation

of young people and vulnerable adults,

but it also recognises that some

volunteer-led activities and events may

not be appropriate for them. We have

clear procedures in place to ensure

that young and vulnerable participants

are safe and well supervised. In

addition we have both child protection

and criminal record disclosure policies,which can be supplied on request.

See

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

for event plans and risk

assessment forms or ask your

volunteer support office.

If you plan to organise any

event targeted at under 18s or

vulnerable adults or if you are

expecting more than 30

participants at a public event

such as a ride, walk or

volunteer workday, please talk

to your volunteer support office

at least four weeks in advance

to ensure that the event will be

covered by our insurers.

Complete an

event plan and

risk assessment

when you

organise an

event, and

always send a

copy to your

volunteer

support office.


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Gettingstarted

8

The minimum age to volunteer as a

ranger is 18. Under 18s may assist

their parents under their supervision, if

the parents are registered as rangers.

Under 18s are welcome to participate

under parental supervision in

appropriate ranger events such as

family rides. 16-to 18 year-olds may be

able to participate in events

unsupervised, but written parental

consent will always be required.

If you have contact, or anticipate future

contact, as a Sustrans volunteer with

young people or vulnerable adults you

must seek guidance from your

volunteer support office and a criminal

records check may be required.

If you already work with young people

or vulnerable adults (e.g. as a teacher,

Scout or Guide leader, or through the

Duke of Edinburgh scheme or other

youth project) and you would like to

involve them in a ranger type event or

young ranger group, please contact

your volunteer support office. We will

be very pleased to hear from you and

to help make your project a success.

ExpensesNo volunteer should be out of pocket.

If you incur expenses as a volunteer

ranger you can claim them back using

a volunteer expense claim form. Typical

expenses might include essential bike

mileage, fares to training, small

hand tools, as well as other out-of-

pocket costs incurred as a result of

volunteering.

When organising travel to training

meetings or other events please travel

as sustainably as possible, by bike,public transport or car share. Please

use the most cost-effective transport

available, for example by pre-booking

cheaper train fares. Where car use is

unavoidable, you may claim 34 pence

per mile, or, if you prefer, you can claim

a fuel-only rate. Please submit a fuel

VAT receipt with your claim, covering

at least the distance travelled. You may

claim for essential cycle use at 20

pence per mile.

If you volunteer for a whole day (71/2

hours plus 1 hour for lunch) you can

claim the cost of lunch up to amaximum of 5.00.

If you anticipate an unusual expense

such as the cost of an overnight stay,

please contact your volunteer support

office in advance to check that we can

cover it.

All claims must be submitted to your

volunteer support office on a volunteer

expense claim form, accompanied by

relevant VAT receipts.

DiscountsAll volunteers are eligible for 50% off

NCN maps and 20% off most other

items. You can order online at

www.sustransshop.co.uk or

by phone on 0845 113 0065. Please

have your volunteer number ready.

Rangers are also entitled to discounts

on folding bikes, see left.

See appendix for volunteer

claim form or download a copy

from:


We are very grateful to

two of the best folding-

bike companies for giving

a 15% discount to rangers

to enable you to carry out

your tasks on your route.

Birdy makes a range of

superb fully suspended

and geared folding bikes.To claim your Birdy

discount you will need to

show your Volunteer ID to

your local Birdy dealer.

Find out where your

nearest dealer is by

visiting Birdys German

website: www.r-m.de

Brompton makes possibly

the most famous folder in

the world. To claim a

discount on a Bromptonbicycle ask your volunteer

support office for a

Brompton discount

voucher and then present

the voucher to your local

dealer. For more

information visit:

www.brompton.co.uk

These discounts are only

available to rangers.

Bike discountsfor rangers

All discounts are subject to alteration

or withdrawal at any time.


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2.3Additional importantinformation

Representing SustransAs a local volunteer for Sustrans, you

are a key contact for members of the

public and a vital link between

Sustrans and the communities that we

work in. The people you meet while

out on your route might seek your

opinion on Sustrans policy, our work,

our partner organisations or even onplanning matters. Please refer them

directly to the Sustrans information line

(0845 113 0065).

Occasionally, you may even be

approached by local journalists who

wish to include information about

Sustrans in one of their stories. If that

should happen please call the Sustrans

press office on 0117 927 7555. The

press office ensures that Sustrans is

represented positively and

appropriately through the media. They

will be able to make a decision about

what kind of response Sustrans should

make and who it should come from,

and will ensure that all responses

follow the Sustrans policies so that our

views remain consistent. They are also

equipped to handle any potentially

sensitive stories.

DisputesIt is unlikely that you will have a dispute

but, if you do have a problem, raise it

with your volunteer support office and

they will try to resolve it. Sustrans

expects all volunteers to follow the

guidelines in this handbook, and other

guidance given, to the best of their

abilities. Sustrans may terminate your

role if you fail to follow our guidance,

or if your action conflicts with the

interests of the organisation.

Always refer

enquiries from

journalists about

planning and

policy to our

press office.

Gettingstarted

9


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Part 3Teamworkwho you need to know

Teamwork

10

Volunteer groupsVolunteering should be fun as well as

making good use of your time and

skills. Thats why we encourage

rangers to work together in local

Sustrans volunteer groups. There are

more than 200 local groups and they

bring together rangers, Active Travel,

Bike It volunteers and others who may

take on specific volunteer roles such

as fundraising, workdays, ride leading

or organising publicity and displays.

They meet regularly to share ideas and

information and plan their activities

including rides, workdays, signing days

and publicity exhibitions.

Sustrans or local authority staff attend

some group meetings, so they are a

useful way of making local contacts.

Every year each group completes agroup plan with their local Sustrans

staff. This enables them to plan their

activities and for individual group

members to take on specific activities

to suit their time, interests and skills.

There are still a few areas where we

dont have an active group. Dont be a

lone ranger! If you are working alone,

check the local pages of the

VolunteerNet to find your nearestgroup and liaison ranger or ask your

volunteer support office for help to set

up a new group. We can introduce you

to your neighbouring rangers, and help

you to organise your first meeting and

get your group off the ground.

Liaison rangersSustrans volunteer groups are

coordinated by liaison rangers who are

the main point of contact between

volunteers, Sustrans, local authorities

and our other partners.

Liaison rangers will rely on your help

and will be very pleased if you can

take responsibility for one of the

groups regular activities. They are also

volunteers and cant do everything by

themselves!

Liaison rangers liaise with staff and our

partners about local maintenance

plans and other issues that will affect

both you and other users of the route.

So if you have a question, ask your

liaison ranger first.

If you plan to change the route that

you look after, or you need to take a

prolonged break from your ranger

activities, dont forget to let your liaison

ranger know.

If you havent got a liaison ranger, letyour volunteer support office know if

you are interested in taking on the role.

Volunteer rangers work together in local Sustrans volunteergroups, coordinated by their volunteer liaison ranger, with

Sustrans staff and with other partners involved in the

ownership, development and maintenance of the routes.


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Teamwork

11

Regional Sustrans staffEach region of the UK has Sustrans

regional directors and area managers.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

have their own national directors. Its

their job to oversee all our local

activities from route development to

Bike It, Travel Smart and Connect2.

They are very grateful for the huge

contribution that you make in

promoting Sustrans and helping to look

after the National Cycle Network. Theymay also draw on your technical skills,

local knowledge and contacts when

planning and developing new routes.

Sustrans regional staff cant get to

know each of you individually, but they

do meet with the liaison ranger to

agree a group plan and to ensure that

we are making best use of your help.

If you have relevant technical or

professional skills or contacts that you

think would benefit our work, please

email your regional staff and let them

know.

Landowners and

maintenance authoritiesSustrans has coordinated the

development of the whole of the

National Cycle Network, but we only

construct, own and manage a fraction

of the routes ourselves. Sustrans

volunteer rangers, however, help us

and our partners to look after the

whole of the National Cycle Network.

Most rangers help look after routes

managed or owned by our partners,

usually local authorities (Roads Service

in Northern Ireland), but also the

National Trust, British Waterways,

Forestry Commission and otherlandowners.

We call these partners the

maintenance authorities as they usually

have overall responsibility for

maintaining the routes. They will

welcome your input, and most of them

encourage rangers to undertake the

essential tasks described in the

following section of this handbook. It is

essential that you make contact with

the maintenance authority on your

section of route, either through your

liaison ranger or direct, so that you canagree how your help can contribute to

their maintenance plan. This is

important because practice may vary

around the country. For example,

some landowners such as British

Waterways may have their own health

and safety requirements for working

alongside water, which volunteers

must follow. Other landowners like the

National Trust may adopt slightly

different guidelines to signing the

National Cycle Network through some

of their estates.

Your liaison ranger should know of any

local arrangements that will affect you,

such as who to send reports to, or

what local agreements there are about

signing by volunteer rangers. If you

have no liaison ranger it is even more

important that you check in with your

maintenance authority and introduce

yourself.

If you are unsure who the maintenance

authority is, check with your liaison

ranger, Sustrans regional staff or the


If you are helping to look after a

section that is managed by Sustrans,

we may write to you to ask you toundertake more regular route

inspections.

It is essential

that you

familiarise

yourself with the

maintenance

authority, and

any agreement

that they may

have with

Sustrans rangers

to help look after

the route.


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Rangertasks

13

Signing the National CycleNetworkThe most important task that you

should do is to check and maintain the

signs on your route. It only takes one

missing sign for someone to lose their

way. Please check the signs every time

you cycle your route, and if there is a

sign missing, replace it with a

temporary sign. Detailed guidelines on

how to do this are provided below.

Essential signing

What authority do you have to sign

the National Cycle Network?

Most routes are owned and maintained

by local authorities (Roads Service in

Northern Ireland), who usually have a

responsibility for permanent signing.

Other organisations may be

responsible for permanent signing

where they own sections of route,

such as British Waterways, the

National Trust or Sustrans. These

organisations are referred to as

signing authorities.

The signs put up by rangers are

considered temporary, but are

essential to ensure that missing signs

are quickly replaced. Rangers need the

agreement of the signing authority to

put up temporary signs. Most signing

authorities are very over-stretched

and welcome help from volunteerrangers to ensure that routes are

continuously signed.

Always make sure that you or your

ranger team have the permission of

the signing authority before you sign

your route! Check what signing

agreement exists between local

rangers and the signing authority, as it

may vary from one area to another.

This is best done either through your

liaison ranger, or by inviting a

representative from the signing

authority to a ranger group meeting. If

you do not have a liaison ranger, checkwith your regional or area Sustrans

manager before signing your route.

Keep the signing authority informed of

any permanent signs that are

damaged or missing and need

replacing, by email or on a defect

report form.

How can you tell when a sign is

missing?

People who are new to the area should

be able to follow the route just by

following the signs. The best way to

check signing on your route is to

organise a signing ride with your ranger

team, or ride it with a friend who hasnt

cycled your route before. They will

immediately notice where the signing is

unclear. The best time to do this is

early each spring, so you can get the

signing perfect by May or June.

Where should there be a sign?

Wherever the route changes direction

or there is any doubt about which way

to go, there should be a clearly visible,

unambiguous sign pointing cyclists in

the right direction.

There should be confirmation signs

immediately after junctions and atapproximately one-mile intervals to

reassure users that they are still on the

National Cycle Network.

The signs put

up by rangers

are considered

temporary, but

are essential to

ensure that

missing signs

are quickly

replaced.


14/4014

Which sign should be used?

Use a template Sustrans National

Cycle Network sign, which must also

carry a route number patch. You may

also attach an optional arrow to

indicate a change of direction.

Confirmation signs will generally not

need an arrow. Never use a route

number or arrow without attaching it to

the template National Cycle Network

sign. Where possible, use rigid plastic

signs as they are more durable than

stickers.

On traffic-free routes which are shared

by walkers and cyclists it will often be

appropriate to add the shared use

sticker (for example on paths owned

by British Waterways or the National

Trust).

A range of warning and information

signs are available for specific

situations. For example, information

boards can be placed at popular entry

points on traffic-free routes to raise

awareness about Sustrans and theNational Cycle Network. Attach them

to available posts, with the permission

of the landowner. See the appendix or

visit www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk for

the full range of signs and a sign order

form.

How do you put signs up?

Generally attach rigid plastic signs to

wooden posts, and stickers to existing

metal posts. Do not attach signs to the

face board of road signs or to the

poles of traffic signals.

If you are nailing a rigid plastic sign toa gate or similar use galvanised nails

as they do not rust, and ask the

permission of the owner first.

Take care to ensure that signs are

visible, neat and vertical.

If a sign is absolutely essential, but

there is nowhere to attach it to, inform

the signing authority, as they may be

able to erect a permanent sign. You

could also consider the possibility of

erecting a wooden post which you can

then fix the sign to, but you should

seek the local authoritys or

landowners permission before doing

this so that a check can be done for

any services below the surface.

Rangertasks


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Rangertasks

15

Dealing with other signingproblemsGraffiti

Please clean signs with graffiti remover

available from your volunteer support

office and follow the safety instructions

on the container.

Vegetation

Signs can easily become obscured by

vegetation, especially in the summer.

Please cut back vegetation aroundsigns, or report it if you cant reach it.

Take care not to disturb nesting birds.

Over-signing

Dont over-sign. One sign at each

location, as in these guidelines, should

be enough. If there is good highway

signing in place do not duplicate it by

adding a Sustrans National Cycle

Network route sign in the same location.

Removing and replacing old signs

If there are old style, worn, incomplete

or crooked temporary signs, please

remove and replace them, or cover

them with new signs, otherwise they

can look very untidy. If new permanent

highway signs have been erected,

please remove any temporary signs

that they replace.

Incorrect permanent signs

You may be able to correct signs that

point in the wrong direction with an

adjustable spanner, but do not put

yourself at any risk if you cannot reach

the sign.

Dangerous obstacles

If there are access barriers, bridges or

posts that present a potential danger

when travelling on your route at night,you can make them safer by attaching

a reflective sticker, available in sheets

from Sustrans.

Advanced signingOnce your route is continuously

signed, you can also help to sign

destinations and short links to the

National Cycle Network.

Destination patches

Signs are much more useful if they tell

people where they are going and how

far away the destinations are. Many

permanent signs now display this

information. Every main entrance pointto traffic-free routes should display

destinations that can be reached on

the National Cycle Network. It is also

useful to signpost destinations (e.g.

railway stations) near the National

Cycle Network that can be reached

from exit points. Where this information

is not displayed on permanent signs,

you can order destination patches

which should be attached to the base

of a template National Cycle Network

sign.

Once your route

is continuously

signed, you can

also help to sign

destinations and

short links to the

National Cycle

Network.


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16

Each destination patch can carry up to

four destinations with distances and a

direction arrow. The format can be

flexible. Please use the order form in

the appendix or on

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk, or

send specific requirements to:

[email protected]

Signing short links to and from the

National Cycle Network

It can often be useful to sign a shortlink to or from the National Cycle

Network, for example if a station, town

or village centre is nearby. This can

help to increase usage of local routes

by walkers and cyclists by identifying

easy and safe access routes. Rangers

are best placed to identify these short

links as you know the local desire

lines and have local knowledge about

quiet routes that could link to the NCN.

If you have suggestions for links that

you would like to sign, please survey

them and send an email summary

suggestion to your regional director or

area manager. They may then ask you

to sign the link with temporary or

purpose-made signs.

Litter, glass and fly-tippingRangers can make an important

contribution towards keeping paths

clear, either working individually or by

organising a litter pick. Most litter does

not involve any significant risk, but

before doing a litter pick please assess

any hazards using a workday plan and

risk assessment (see appendix). Do

not handle insanitary waste, sharps

such as needles, or heavy items such

as dumped furniture. You may sweepsmall amounts of glass off the path or

dispose of carefully off site. Always

wear gloves, and report any major,

persistent or dangerous litter and glass

problems to the local authority.

Under the Environment Protection Act

1990 local authorities have a duty to

respond to and deal with complaints

about litter on public land. Contact

them before organising litter picks as

they may be pleased to provide litter

pickers and black bags and will dispose

of litter that you collect. Alternatively,

your volunteer support office can

provide you with a litter picker.

Ordering signs:

See the appendix or visitwww.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

for a full list of available signs

and a sign order form. Email

orders to [email protected]

or post them to Signs, National

Cycle Network Centre,

2 Cathedral Square, Bristol,

BS1 5DD. To discuss a specific

sign order, call Signs at

0117 915 0238.

Always wear

gloves, and

report any major,

persistent or

dangerous litter

problems to the

local authority.


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18

Millennium milepostsThere are more than 1000 mileposts

on the National Cycle Network, and

they all need looking after. We usually

rely on rangers to paint their mileposts

unless they have been adopted by a

local school. Please use Hammerite or

other domestic metallic paint, and

follow the safety instructions on the tin.

You may reclaim your costs from

Sustrans.

If you have a milepost, please give it a

coat of paint every year or two to

protect it from the weather and make it

more attractive. You may need to rub

down loose rust with wire wool before

you start. Dark green, blue or black is

usually the most appropriate base

colour. You can make it look even

more eye-catching and turn it into a

work of art by highlighting the lettering

in white or gold. If you want to be

more creative and use unusual colours,

please check with the landowner or

the Sustrans regional manager first.

Please use Hammerite or a similar

product and reclaim your costs from

Sustrans.

Graffiti and antisocialbehaviourIf signs, sculptures or benches are

defaced with graffiti please try to

remove it using a graffiti removal kit


office.

In the event that you witness antisocial

behaviour such as vandalism or

motorbike use, avoid confrontation,

and never put yourself in danger.

Report serious incidents to the police,

Sustrans or the local authority.

If there is a persistent problem ofvandalism, crime or antisocial

behaviour, bring it to the attention of

your community liaison police officer.

Reporting problems on yourrouteIf you cant deal with a problem

yourself, you will need to report it to

the maintenance authority so that it

does get dealt with. This might

typically include fly-tipping, major

vegetation problems, the need for a

permanent sign or a temporary

obstruction such as flooding. If you are

not sure who the maintenance

authority is, ask your liaison ranger,

your regional Sustrans staff, or your

volunteer support office. Use the fault

report form in the appendix of this

handbook or downloadable from:


Alternatively, if you have an agreement

with the maintenance authority you

may use email or call their help-line.

Identifying routeobstructions on our publicmappingIf a route is temporarily blocked or

diverted, or access is limited by

weather damage, please report this to

our mapping team [email protected] as well as to

the maintenance authority. We may

If you cant deal

with a problem

yourself, you

will need to

report it to the

maintenance

authority so

that it does get

dealt with.


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19

then attach a warning notice to the

mapping on the Sustrans website to

keep the public informed.

If our mapping needs amending to

reflect a new route development

please let our mapping team know.

Enhancing local

biodiversity: bird boxes, batboxes and tree planting

Many of our greenway routes arenatural wildlife corridors rich in small

mammals, birds and plant life. If you

have the interest and experience, you

can help to protect and enhance the

natural biodiversity. Some ranger

groups have built and erected bird and

bat boxes, others have managed the

vegetation to encourage endangered

species such as glow worms, or

planted local species of trees. Always

consult with your local authority

biodiversity officer or local staff before

doing anything that could introduce

inappropriate species.

WorkdaysCommunity workdays are an excellent

way for Sustrans volunteer groups to

deal with larger maintenance problems

on traffic-free routes, and to gain local

publicity. You can also invite your

community to become involved, which

will help to create a sense of local

ownership of the route. Typical tasks

undertaken with community effort

include clearing vegetation, litter-picks,cleaning up graffiti, painting mileposts

and sculptures, tree planting and even

building benches! It may all sound like

hard work, but we can guarantee that

they are exceptionally sociable days

out, an opportunity to make new

friends and meet old ones, and that

you will get an amazing amount done!

There is a real sense of achievement.

If you want to organise a workday

involving the community on your route

please follow the workday checklist

(see appendix) and use a combined

workday plan and risk assessment.This will help you to plan the event

safely and in detail. Here are some

other important points to ensure its

success.

Always run your proposal past the

landowner before advertising the

workday. You need their agreement.

If you need more helpers, ask the

supporter team to send out

invitations to local Sustrans

supporters one month in advance.

Email them at:

[email protected]

Use the template press release on

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk to

advertise your event through the

local press.

Register your event on the calendar

on www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

so that other rangers can join you.

Around 20 people is an optimum

number for a workday.

Small grants are sometimes available

from external organisations for tools

and materials, and they are easy to

apply for, so take advantage of

them. Details are posted on:


Always send your volunteer support

office a copy of your combined

workday plan and risk assessment.

If you are expecting more than 30people, please let your volunteer

support office know in advance to

confirm insurance cover.

For more information see

Sustrans Biodiversity action

plan for the National Cycle

Network at: www.sustrans.org.uk

Some ranger

groups have built

and erected bird

and bat boxes,

others have

managed the

vegetation to

encourage

endangered

species such as

glow worms, or

planted local

species of trees.


20/4020

Avoid bonfires, and do not clear

vegetation from late March to August

when birds are nesting.

Invite your work colleagues

(see page 24)

Please take some before and after

photographs and send us the best

ones.

Work with other groupsThese are just a few of the many

groups, projects and organisations that

rangers have worked with on the

National Cycle Network: Duke of

Edinburgh Award Scheme, the Wildlife

Trust, BTCV, probation service, day

centres and students with special

needs, canal preservation societies

and local conservation groups. If you

have the local contacts, why not work

together with other groups to help to

maintain and improve the National

Cycle Network, and invite them to your

workdays?

Help Sustrans in yourcommunityThere are many Sustrans projects

working directly with people to enable

them to walk and cycle more, and they

are always looking for rangers to help

them with their activities. These could

range from leading a ride or walk to

enable people to be more active, tohelping organise a bike breakfast for

hungry school children who have cycled

to school, or supervising a ride to school.

Appropriate training will be given. A CRB

check may be required. If you have the

time and would like to get more involved

in our work, check www.sustrans.org.uk

to find out what other Sustrans projects

there are near you.

Join a workcampWorkcamps are working holidays and

are hands-on opportunities for you to

contribute to the construction of a new

section of National Cycle Network.

They provide a great opportunity for

participants to share their skills and

learn new ones. As well as completing

new routes, the participants have built

bridges and benches, erected fences

and gates, and created sculptures.

The workcamps are usually in beautiful

parts of the country, and basic

accommodation is provided.

See appendix for: Organising

a Workday Checklist for

organisers. Download

combined workday plan and

risk assessment form from


or get one from your volunteer

support office.

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21

These annual events are supervised by

Sustrans staff, and are usually run in

week-long blocks. There is a charge to

cover accommodation and food.

4.2 Promoting SustransAs a Sustrans volunteer you play a

central role in helping to promote all

the work we do and to tell people

about Sustrans. We need more people

to know about Sustrans and the work

we do, whether its building local

walking and cycle networks, or our

very successful work with children,

quadrupling the numbers of kidscycling to school. We want to tell

everyone about our work improving

peoples health and our environment.

We would like to share with more

people the role that Sustrans is playing

in offering people real travel choices,

as well as using all the evidence we

collect from our work to influence

governments to invest more in

improving sustainable travel options. If

people like what we do, and think our

work makes sense, they can join us as

a volunteer or supporter, and we can

do even more to change our world a

mile at a time.

There are lots of things you can do,

and this is an opportunity for you to

make the most of your personal skills

and interests. Here are some

suggestions.

Organise an exhibitionOrganise a display in your local library

or a stall at your school, town fete or

county show. We can provide display

material, leaflets, publications and a

collection box for donations. Please ask

us for supplies at least four weeks in

advance or longer if it is a large event.

We want to attract people from all

walks of life to our stalls, so please

wear informal dress or an eventT-shirt which we can provide instead

of cycling clothes which may only

attract experienced cyclists.

To request further details about

workcamps or if youd like to

help establish a workcamp in

your area contact

[email protected] or

visit www.sustrans.org.uk

Contact our events officer on

0117 915 0135 to request

display materials.

We need your

help to tell more

people about

Sustrans and

the work we do,

whether its

building local

walking and

cycle networks,

or our very

successful work

with children...


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22

Take some photosPhotos play a vital role in our

publications and presentations,

illustrating the activities of Sustrans and

the contribution that volunteers make to

Sustrans.

Please try to capture your activities and

community events on camera. Send us

your photos of things you have fixed,

signing in action, mileposts you have

painted, workdays, rides and walks infact anything that captures your

imagination. Be bold when taking

photos, engage with your subject and

make them the star of your picture.

Please take them at the highest

resolution and send us your best

selection at their full size. If they are too

large to email, send them on a CD.

Photos are only useful if they have

some information to go with them.

Please give the location and, if possible,

name the subjects in the picture and tell

us who to credit for the photo. Only

send in images that you are happy to

become Sustrans copyright (although

this will not prevent you using the

pictures yourself, of course).

If you take photos of young people who

are under 18 we should have written

approval from the parent or guardian on

a child model release form before we

can use the photo. This form is

downloadable from

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk or


office.

Give a talkGive an inspiring slideshow and talk

that will win support for Sustrans, to

your work colleagues, school,

community group or charitable

organisation. We can provide a digital

slideshow with notes to make it easy.

The show covers the history of

Sustrans, what we do, and volunteers

and supporters.

Become your local grouppublicity volunteerSupporters are Sustrans lifeblood,

providing public support, practical help

and income. You can help us to

increase the number of our supporters

by becoming the publicity volunteer for

your Sustrans group and distributing

our leaflets and publications locally.

Adopt your library, local tourist

information centre, community centre,

bike shop and other outlets, and ensure

that they have good stocks of our

leaflets. When people return our leaflets,

we tell them more about Sustrans,

where they can cycle and walk locally,

and also how they can support us.

Email your best photos to:

[email protected]

Contact your volunteer supportoffice to request presentation

materials.

Order supplies using the form at


or contact your volunteer

support office.

Send us your

best photos of

volunteer rangers

in action and

local events like

rides and

workdays.


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23

Lead a ride or walkMany groups organise monthly sociable

rides to introduce newer cyclists to

each other and to their local routes of

the National Cycle Network. This is anexcellent way for less experienced

cyclists to gain the confidence to cycle

more regularly. Rangers have also made

a unique contribution to Bike Week

each year by leading short friendly rides

targeted at new or returning cyclists

and have succeeded in introducing

many new users to the National Cycle

Network. Some rangers have worked

with their childrens school or Bike It to

help lead rides to school. If you expect

more than 30 participants, or if the ride

is aimed at under-18s, please let your

ranger support office know so that they

can confirm insurance cover, and

always do a combined event plan and

risk assessment to ensure that it passes

off safely.

But why not think laterally and lead a

walk for health, an owl walk, a birdsong

ramble, or a butterfly safari the

Network is a great place for biodiversity,

and this is a great way to introduce

people to the pleasures of the National

Cycle Network and tell them about

Sustrans.

Tell the pressLocal media coverage can really help to

boost the profile of Sustrans and

encourage more people to support us.

Are you interested in helping Sustranswith media work in your area? If the

answer is yes then why not register as

your local Sustrans groups media

volunteer? Your knowledge of your local

area, events and other organisations

can really help us get Sustrans into the

news. Having a local spokesperson

who is dedicated to spreading the word

about Sustrans and our projects is vital.

To become a media contact, complete

the short form on

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk or

contact the Sustrans Press Office

(details below).

See appendix for ride organiser

checklist. Seewww.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

for event plans and risk

assessments or ask your



24/40

As a media contact you may decide

that you want to issue a press release

or photo call notice for a local rangerevent such as a workday. It is an

excellent way to publicise local action

by volunteers, and to promote the

National Cycle Network. Theres a step-

by-step guide on the VolunteerNet to

show you how, and template

documents for you to use. Or ask your

volunteer support office for the media

information sheet.

If you are going to express an opinion

about Sustrans projects or activities

using your ranger title, please speak to

our press office for advice and help first,

on 0117 927 7555 or email:

[email protected]

Involve your workplace Make a Difference

Many companies have helped to

improve their local section of the

National Cycle Network on a team-

building or employee-volunteering day.

We are keen to work with local rangers

to identify suitable tasks for companies

to undertake and help to make a team

day with a difference. If you know of a

company who would like to contribute

to the success of the National Cycle

Network, please let your volunteer

support office know. There is a charge

to companies for this service, but it will

be a worthwhile and rewarding

experience. For further information

download the Make a Difference leaflet

from the Sustrans website.

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24


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25

4.3 Fundraising

Help to fundraise forSustransSustrans is a charity, and we rely on

fundraising from a wide range of

sources to enable us to develop the

National Cycle Network and all our

other activities. The commitment of our

supporters who give us donations and

also many rangers who have raised

money locally have enabled us to workon practical and imaginative solutions to

the transport challenges affecting us all.

Fundraising is a key activity for

Sustrans volunteers and we will be

very grateful for any fundraising events

that you can organise. From

sponsored rides to bring-and-buy

sales and barbecues, you can have

fun and raise money to help Sustrans

achieve even more.

Generate Fresh Air Milesfor SustransSponsored rides are especially popular

and are a good way of getting new

cyclists to support Sustrans. Many

other charities already generate

hundreds of thousands of pounds

each year from sponsored rides on the

National Cycle Network. We would likeevery Sustrans volunteer group on

traffic-free sections to organise an

annual fundraising event. For example,

Fresh Air Miles sponsored rides take

place around Bike Week. We will

provide posters and publicity to help

you to attract participants. Cyclists ride

as far as they can go and then turn

around. Rangers help with publicity,

the organisation at the start of the ride

and the stamping stations along theroute where participants mileage

cards are stamped.

As well as raising income for Sustrans,

these rides will raise the profile of your

route and your Sustrans volunteer

group, and introduce more people to

cycling, Sustrans and the National

Cycle Network.

Become a fundraisingvolunteer

If you like a challenge, become the

fundraising volunteer in your Sustrans

volunteer group and coordinate aprogramme of fun fundraising events.

Invite rangers and supporters to a

jumble sale and advertise it locally too.

Organise an open cafe on your route,

giving out publicity and offering cakes

and refreshments for donations.

Encourage your work colleagues to

leave their car at home during

Sustrans Change Your World week,

and donate the money they save to

Sustrans. Plan a barbecue and ride

or walk for midsummer. And dont

forget to have a collecting box

prominently displayed whenever you

run a publicity stall.

Collection boxes are available

from our supporter team

on 0117 915 0115.

Download our guide to

sponsored events from

www.sustrans.org.uk or ask

your volunteer support office for

more information. Well send

you a thank you certificate to

acknowledge any money that

you raise for Sustrans.

Encourage your

work colleagues

to leave their car

at home during

Sustrans

Change Your

World week,

and donate the

money they save

to Sustrans.


26/40

5.1 Event plans and riskassessments

Why should you do an event plan

and risk assessment?

These are dual-purpose documents

that help you to plan your event in detail

and identify and minimise any risks.

They allow you to consider what

potential hazards you might encounter,

and take action to prevent them

causing harm. They are for your benefit,

and will help if you are organising an

event by acting as a checklist of thingsto remember. We do not expect you to

fill in a risk assessment form every time

you trim a bramble or put up a sign, but

please be aware of the

recommendations contained within

them. Do carry out a risk assessment,

and record it on the standard form, if

you are organising an event involving

other people, so that you can refer to it

on the day. You may also adapt the

workday risk assessment form to risk

assess your regular ranger activities on

your own section of route.

When do you need to complete an

event plan and risk assessment?

Risk assessment forms contain

suggestions of the kind of hazards that

you are likely to encounter, and what

you can do to lessen the risk of harm.Many of the suggested precautions

may seem obvious, and a lot of them

are common sense, but they act as

important reminders. You should

consider what the level of risk is for

each hazard, and which are relevant.

Not all of the hazards or precautions will

be applicable to your event, and there

may be additional hazards that you feel

the other participants should know

about. You can delete irrelevant ones,

and add your own. However, remember

that what seems like common sense to

you may not be so to others.

Part 5 Working safely

Sustrans gives very high priority to the safety

of its volunteers and the public. By following

the guidelines set out in this section, your

ranger activities should be low risk.

Workingsafely

26

Visit

www.sustrans.volunteers.org.uk

for event plan and risk

assessment forms or request a

copy from your volunteer

support office.


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Workingsafely

27

There are two combined event plans

and risk assessments, and examples of

completed forms, on

www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk. They

are also available from your volunteer

support office. One is designed for

workdays and the other is for rides and

other events. They are designed for use

as a checklist before and on the day

of your event, and as a prompt to help

convey important information to the

other participants.

They should be completed well in

advance of your event, but you may

need to update them on the day, for

example if the weather has changed

and the ground is very wet and slippery.

5.2 Carrying outpractical work safely

Personal protective

equipment and sensibleclothingThere will be occasions when it is

advisable to take appropriate

precautions by wearing simple

protective clothing such as gloves and

goggles. For example, when clearing

vegetation, brambles can cause injury if

they catch you in the eye, and

scratches can become infected.

Your volunteer support office can supply

gloves and eye protection on request or

alternatively you can claim back the

costs from Sustrans if you have to buy

them. It is also sensible to wear stout

footwear, and clothing that covers your

legs and arms to prevent scratches.

If working in a public area, such as on a

cycle route, please wear your high

visibility jacket at all times so that you

can be seen.

Hand tools

As a ranger you should only be carrying

out minor maintenance works, and

there are a limited number of tools youmay have to use.

The most commonly used tools are

those you might find in your garden,

such as secateurs, loppers, brooms

and shovels. You are welcome to use

your own tools, but please check that

they are in safe working order, and that

blades and handles are secure.

If you need to buy small hand tools, you

can claim the cost from Sustrans on an

expense claim form.

Slashers, grasshooks, mattocks and

pickaxes

Tools that require a swinging motion

have higher risks, so always follow

these guidelines:

These tools must only be used byadults.

Check tools to ensure that blades

and heads are secure.

The feedback section of the

risk assessment form should

be completed after the event

by the person who has overall

responsibility on the day, and

returned to your volunteer

support office.

Your first risk

assessment

The first time

you do a risk

assessment you

must check it

with your

volunteer

support office

before the

event.

Thereafter:

dont forget to

send us a copyof your risk

assessments

after each

event.


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Workingsafely

28

Your working area must be taped off

and warning signs erected to ensure

that there is no risk to the public.

Ensure that there is no one within 5

metres of you.

Take care, if wearing gloves, that the

tool cannot slip out of your hand.

Bow saws

When using a bow saw, always wear a

glove on the hand holding whatever

youre cutting because the saw cansometimes jump out of the cut.

Power tools

Power tools can cause very serious

injuries if something goes wrong when

using them. Therefore you must not use

them unless you have the permission of

the maintenance authority, and the

appropriate training or certification. In

addition you must undertake a full risk

assessment and have a written plan for

the use of the tool, approved by your

local office.

Storage of tools on site

When tools are not being used, even for

a short break, always make sure that

they are stored off any public path, and

that any blades are securely covered.

Workdays general pointsAt the start of the day:

Brief the volunteers on what you are

doing, and why.

Run through any information that they

need to know, as identified by yourrisk assessment. A column has been

included for you to tick when you

have done this.

Find out the volunteers emergency

contact details, and whether any of

them are trained first-aiders.

Explain what tools are available, and

what they are used for, as well as

other important information such as

where the nearest toilet facilities are,

and who the first-aiders are, if any.

A table at the bottom of the page has

space to record information including

names, locations, distances or other

notes. Put up warning signs to alert the

public to your work.

During the day:

Keep an eye on the volunteers to

ensure that they are working safely.

This is just as important as motivating

and working alongside them.

Take photographs: nothing to do with

risk assessments, but we need them!

For more guidance on taking and

submitting photos to Sustrans, see

page 22.

At the end of the day:

Invite feedback from the volunteers.

Complete the form and return it to

your volunteer support office.

For more details on safe use ofall types of hand tools, see

Safe use of tools on:

www.sustrans.volunteers.org.uk

See appendix for Workday

event plan and risk assessment

form, and Workday checklist.

Use them both when organising

your workday.

Power tools

should not be

used without

approval,

training and risk

assessments.


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Workingsafely

29

5.3 Organising ridessafely

Number of leaders and riders

All rides should have at least a leader, a

back marker, and one marshal for every

10 riders to keep the group together. To

help you to plan, encourage riders to

register with you in advance.

Helmets and clothing

There is no legal requirement to wearhelmets, so the decision to wear one is

down to the individual. Children are

strongly recommended to wear a

helmet. Encourage participants to wear

bright conspicuous clothing; it helps

everyone be seen and its more fun.

Marshalls should always wear their

ranger vest.

Bike maintenance

Riders are responsible for their own

bicycles, which should be in a

roadworthy condition: remind riders to

check their brakes and tyres before the

start of the ride.

Children

If there are children present, make sure

that they are supervised by a parent or

guardian. (See page 7, Young people.)

At the start of the ride

Gather the participants together and

run through any information they need

to know, as identified by your risk

assessment. A column has been

included for you to tick when you have

done this. Make sure that you have the

riders emergency contact details.

During the ride

Lead the way and stay at the front.

Check that you can see your

backmarker or stop regularly to allow

the riders to bunch up and to rest.

Keep a reasonable pace and be

prepared to slow down if people are

unable to keep up. If on a narrow or

busy section of route, you may need to

separate into two groups each with their

own leader and backmarker. Anticipate

hazards such as poor road surfaces,

and road crossings, and manage them

by posting marshals to warn riders or

assist them to cross roads.

At the end of the rideEnsure that everyone has returned safely

and invite feedback from the riders.

5.4 Out on your ownRanger tasks should be safe and

enjoyable and we want them to remain

that way. But living in the real world, you

may from time to time witness antisocial

behaviour, or cycle through areas that

you do not feel comfortable in alone.

Here are some simple common-sense

precautions that most of us take in our

daily life that you can extend to your

volunteer role.

Tell someone when you go out by

yourself to monitor your route. Let

them know where you are going and

when you expect to be back.

Carry a mobile phone in case you

need to call home.

If you witness antisocial behaviour, do

not get personally involved in a rangercapacity. Remember what you have

witnessed, and, when you feel safe,

report it to the police.

Use both the rides checklist

and the rides risk assessment

when planning your ride. See

appendix for the checklist, and

download the risk assessment

form from


or ask your volunteer supportoffice for a copy.

Ranger tasks

should be safe

and enjoyable

and we want

them to remain

that way.


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Workingsafely

30

Carry a simple puncture repair kit or

spare inner tube so that if you have a

puncture several miles from home

you can repair it.

If you feel uncomfortable cycling

through an isolated section of your

route, pair up with another ranger

when you monitor your route, or ask

your liaison ranger or volunteer

support office for a different section of

route.

5.5 Working alongside

waterSeveral hundred Sustrans rangers are

lucky enough to have sections of route

alongside canal or river towpaths.

Waterside routes are beautiful and

should not present any serious risks

providing you observe some basic and

common-sense rules.

Never put yourself at risk of falling into

the water. If the path is icy or slippery

due to mud, keep well away from the

waters edge and consider walking

rather than cycling.

Never cycle at speed alongside water,

as an unexpected pothole or collision

with walkers or dogs can result in a

serious accident.

Weils disease (leptospyrosis) is

carried by rats and spread through

their urine. It frequently contaminates

canals and rivers as well as the river

and canal banks. Humans can catch

the disease by contaminated water

getting into cuts or skin abrasions. If

you have skin abrasions, always

make sure that they are covered, e.g.

with a plaster, but it is best to avoid

contact with canal or river water

altogether. If you are exposed to risk,

rinse your hands well with clean

water. If you have influenza-like

symptoms after working in the canal,

consult your doctor, and explain that

you have been working in an

environment where leptospyrosis is a

possibility.

A simple blood test will give

confirmation and enable the correct

treatment.

If you plan a workday alongside

water, always consult first with the

river authority or your regional British

Waterways office. You may need their

agreement to proceed. They are keen

to encourage volunteers and they

may wish to complete a risk

assessment with you, and attend

your event. They may also be able to

loan tools and safety equipment.

When organising a workday by ariver or canal, you must ensure that

personal protective and rescue

equipment is immediately available,

as required by British Waterways or

the river authority, such as lifejackets

and a throw rope. It may be

appropriate to wear lifejackets if

working within one metre of the

waters edge. The canal or river

authority will often be willing to loan

this equipment, and train you to

use it.

If your route is

alongside water,

you must take

some additional

precautions.


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Appendix

31

Part 6Appendix

Before the workday

Identify your task and ask permission from the landowner or maintenance authority.

Familiarise yourself with what needs doing and how many volunteers you need. (Avoid vegetation

clearance from mid March to August when birds are nesting.)

Make a plan, do a risk assessment, and take a before photo.

Register your workday on the VolunteerNet calendar. Contact Supporters team to invite Sustrans supporters (give 4 weeks notice).

Use press release template on VolunteerNet for local publicity.

Create an information sheet for participants, telling them what to bring and wear, what they will do, where

and when.

Try to borrow tools locally if possible, from the maintenance authority, local groups, e.g. BTCV, or ask

people to bring their own.

Provide simple refreshments for volunteers, and claim back expenses.

On the day

Review event plan/risk assessment in case conditions have changed.

Register helpers and take their emergency contact details.

If children are present, check that they are fully supervised.

Give a welcome talk using event plan and risk assessment

explain and delegate tasks

identify any risks, (e.g. water, steep slopes, broken glass) and explain precautions

identify first-aider if present

check tools are safe, remind people how to use them safely and not to leave them on open paths

tell people when there will be breaks and where toilets are.

Remember to build in rest breaks.

Spend your time supervising rather than doing practical work, to ensure that everyone is working happily

and as safely as possible.

Afterwards

Take after photos.

Clear up at the end. If you have borrowed tools, please ensure that they have all been returned (clean!).

Thank everyone, and invite feedback from volunteers. Perhaps send a thank-you letter to the volunteers.

Send a copy of the completed event plan/risk assessment to us. Let us know of any accident that

required treatment, or use of first-aid kit.

Claim your expenses.

Let us know how it went! Reports and photos are particularly welcome.

Workday Checklist

To ensure the success of your workday we recommend that you check that you have covered the following points.

Add a in the boxes on the right when complete.


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Appendix

32

Before the ride

Cycle the proposed route. Be realistic about distance.

Do an event plan/risk assessment and look for particular places which might cause problems such as

busy junctions.

Estimate how long you will need to do the ride. Be realistic! The average group ride moves at 6 mph.

Riders will need regular stops, and you will need to wait for stragglers to catch up.

Consider what information needs to be given to riders before the ride, e.g. the length and difficulty of the

ride, what to wear and whether to bring lights, food and water.

Identify how many marshals you will need and what they will need to do. Brief marshals in advance.

The day before

If possible, ride the route again, to review the event plan/risk assessment there may be new roadworks

or mud.

Check the weather forecast.

On the day

In the event of extreme weather consider cancellation.

Bring first-aid kit, repair kits, registration forms, risk assessment, maps, spare water.

Check that leader, backstop and marshals are all wearing high visibility jackets, and exchange mobile

phone numbers.

Gather the participants together at the start. Record their emergency contact details, and whether any of

them are trained first-aiders.

Identify first-aiders, leader, backstop and marshals.

Run through the timetable for the ride and any other information that participants need to know, as

identified by your risk assessment form.

Ensure that any children are supervised by their parents or guardians.

Encourage riders to check their own bikes before riding, and allow time for pumping up tyres etc.

During the ride

Follow the event plan/risk assessment recommendations for cycling as a group, e.g. always have a

leader and a backstop.

Keep an eye on the riders, and make sure that no one over-exerts themselves. Stop regularly and ensurethat no one has dropped off the back.

Afterwards

Make sure everyone has returned safely.

Invite feedback.

Let us know how it went! Reports and photos are particularly welcome.

Rides Checklist

Add a in the boxes on the right when complete.


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34


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Appendix

35

Sign Order Form

Please photocopy

Return to: Signs, Cycle Network Centre, 2 Cathedral Square, College Green, Bristol BS1 5DD

Tel: 0117 915 0238 Fax: 0117 9150225 [email protected]

Code Quantity

Route Signs

RC*

SC*

RCW*

RS*

SS*

RSW*

SSW*

RD*

SD*

SDW*

SAH

SAD

SPP

SPB

Route signs for occasional use

DSS

DES

DAH

DAD

SL

STW

SMU

STR

SMB

SNN

RU*

SU*

Signboards

W1*

W2*

W3*

INF1*

INF1W*

INF2*

INF2W*

INF3*

INF4*

INF5*

INF6*

Welsh language: Many of these signs are

available bilingually. See separate insert.

Note: Signs marked with * all need route

number or This way to stickers.

Route number stickers

National Route (NR) red/white

Regional route (RR) blue/white

Route No. NR/RR Quantity

Name:

Ranger number:

Delivery address:


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Signed:

Appendix

36

NCN Defect ReportTo report any problem beyond the means of the

Sustrans volunteer ranger

Please send or email this form to the local authority or the responsible party,

and please send a copy to your Sustrans regional manager.

Report to

Organisation

Copy to

Organisation

From

Address

Email

Telephone

Nature of defect Tick in grey box to the left

1 Path impassable

2 Signing

3 Vegetation

4 Boundaries

5 Drainage

6 Encroachment

7 Vandalism

8 Surface

Photo attached

Description of problem(s)

Action already taken Suggested action required

For use by receiving body

I acknowledge receipt of your report no. Dated:This matter is currently receiving attention

has been actioned

has been passed on to (please state):

Route no:

Report no:

Date:

Location of problem

Map enclosed

Grid ref. (if known)

Safety issue: Yes No

Priority

High

Medium

Low


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Total

Appendix

37

Ranger expense claim form

Use this form to claim your reasonable and necessary expenses. Complete boxes 1 and 2 and return to your

volunteer support office or send directly to the volunteer team at the address below.

Always attach receipts:

Date Description Amount1

Volunteer name

Address

Telephone

2

Approved by

Budget code

3

Return to: Sustrans, Volunteer Team, 2 Cathedral Square, Bristol, BS1 5DD


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Appendix

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Contacts and resources

Help to promote an event in the media:

Sustrans press office: [email protected]/ 0117 927 7555

Sign order line: [email protected]/ 0117 915 0238

Supporter recruitment leaflets: request from your volunteer support office

Display material: [email protected]/ 0117 915 0135

Collection boxes: [email protected]/ 0117 915 0115

General information about Sustrans:

Sustrans information line: [email protected]/ 0845 113 0065

Mapping amendments: [email protected]

Give a talk

CDs available from your volunteer support office

For further advice contact your nearest volunteer support office below:

South of England: 01179 150 129 /[email protected]

North of England: 0161 923 6050 /[email protected]

Scotland: 0131 539 8122 /[email protected]

Wales: 029 2065 0602 /[email protected]

Northern Ireland: 028 9043 4569 /[email protected]

London, East Anglia and Kent: 0207 017 2356 /[email protected]

Or visit: www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

Information sheets and forms available on request from your volunteer support office:

Sustrans young people and vulnerable adults protection guidance

Sustrans criminal records disclosure policy

Event notification form to confirm insurance cover

Event sponsorship form and guidance notes

Child photo release form

Parental/guardian permission form for events where young people will be presentSupporter leaflet order form

Most of the above are also downloadable from: www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk


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Appendix

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Sustrans in your community

TravelSmart gives individual households theinformation they need to walk, cycle or use public

transport more

Sustrans TravelSmart project has achieved a 9% to

14% reduction in the number of car trips by

promoting walking, cycling and public transport for

around 150,000 people in many locations across the

UK.

Bike It gets more children cycling

Sustrans Bike It officers work in hundreds of schools

and achieve increases in the number of childrencycling to school by inspiring children, parents and

teachers with a mix of bike skills training, cycle rides,

bike maintenance sessions and events such as bike

to school breakfasts.

Active Travel encourages healthy travel

Sustrans works with people within communities to

enable them to walk and cycle and increase their

levels of everyday physical activity.

Safe Routes to Schools help kids get to school

under their own steam

Sustrans school travel team provides a free

information service to support schools and their

communities through training, publications, their

website and an enquiries hotline. Their aim is to

enable all children to have a safe, healthy and

sustainable school journey.

Liveable Neighbourhoods puts people at the

heart of their community

Sustrans Liveable Neighbourhoods implements

practical projects that combine urban design,

community involvement and sustainable transport

planning. The team works with communities to

create DIY streets which help residents to redesign

their streets to put people rather than cars at their

heart.

Art and the Travelling Landscape makes public

sp

Documents

Rangers Handbook 2008