Making a difference

Sustrans volunteer ranger handbook

Contents Page
Welcome from our chief executive 3

Part 1 Your role as a ranger – an introduction 4

Part 2 Getting started 5

2.1 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
10
Part 3 Teamwork – who you need to know
12
Part 4 Ranger tasks
4.1 Practical tasks
• Signing
• Litter, glass and fly-tipping
• Vegetation control
• Mileposts
• Graffiti and other problems
• Biodiversity
• Workdays
4.2 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
26
Part 5 Working safely
5.1 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
31
Part 6 Appendix
Workday checklist
Rides checklist
Available signs and sign order form
Defect report form
Expense claim form
Contacts and resources
Sustrans in your community

Welcome to the UK’s leading
sustainable transport charity
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 the
environment. 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 both
the 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.
Malcolm Shepherd
Chief Executive
Welcome
Sustrans is the UK’s 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.
3
Your role as a ranger
Part 1 Your role as a ranger –
an introduction
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.
Practical tasks
You 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 the
guidelines 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 can’t
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
4
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 tasks
The work of Sustrans is benefiting
communities throughout the UK, and
we rely on rangers to help spread the
word 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.

Part 2 Getting started
2.1 Your voluntary
agreement with us
We 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 on
road
• 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
Getting started
• 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.
2.2 Volunteer support
We will do the best we can to make
your volunteer experience with us
enjoyable and rewarding and to
enable you to carry out your agreed
tasks.
Contacts, help and general
information
• 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.
5
Getting started
• The contact sheet enclosed with this
Your volunteer handbook will help you to work as
part of a team with fellow volunteers,
support office Sustrans staff and our other partners.
will be pleased Use it to make contact with other
local rangers, and also with your
to hear from you volunteer liaison ranger if you are part
of a local Sustrans volunteer group.
and help answer
Liaison rangers coordinate Sustrans
any questions, volunteer groups and are an excellent
source of advice and information and
however big or will be able to tell you about any
small. planned group events and meetings.
• The VolunteerNet is a goldmine of
information. It’s 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
6
contact sheet and they are all listed at
the 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. We’ll write to you when there
is a ranger day near you. We expect
you to come if possible, so we’ll pay
your fares and ensure that you have a
fun, informative and sociable day out
that will inspire you and keep you
motivated.
You’ll begin with a local ride, meet
other 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.
It’s also our opportunity to say a big
thank you for all you do for us.

• Local group meetings are
Complete an organised on an occasional basis
usually by your liaison ranger. They
event plan and are an opportunity for all local
risk assessment volunteers to get together, share
experiences and tips, and make
when you plans. Sustrans staff from the
regions or the volunteer team may
organise an
sometimes attend, so they can be
event, and an excellent way for you to keep in
touch without travelling far.
always send a
copy to your Event planning and safety
Sustrans takes the safety of its
volunteer volunteers and the public very
support office. 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.
See
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
for event plans and risk
assessment forms or ask your
volunteer support office.
Getting started
Insurance
Sustrans 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 planning
process, completing the risk
assessment form and then
implementing your plan, you are
demonstrating that you are taking
reasonable steps to prevent an
accident happening.
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.
Young people, vulnerable
adults and Sustrans
Sustrans 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.
7
Getting started
Bike discounts
for rangers
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 Birdy’s German
website: www.r-m.de
Brompton makes possibly
the most famous folder in
the world. To claim a
discount on a Brompton
bicycle 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.
All discounts are subject to alteration
or withdrawal at any time.
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.
Expenses
No 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 a
maximum 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.
See appendix for volunteer
claim form or download a copy
from:
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
Discounts
All 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.
 Getting started
2.3 Additional important
Always refer information
enquiries from
Representing Sustrans
journalists about As a local volunteer for Sustrans, you
are a key contact for members of the
planning and public and a vital link between
policy to our Sustrans and the communities that we
work in. The people you meet while
press office. out on your route might seek your
opinion on Sustrans policy, our work,
our partner organisations or even on
planning 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.

Disputes
It 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.

9
Teamwork
Volunteer rangers work together in local Sustrans volunteer
groups, coordinated by their volunteer liaison ranger, with
Sustrans staff and with other partners involved in the
ownership, development and maintenance of the routes.
Part 3 Teamwork–who you need to know
Volunteer groups
Volunteering should be fun as well as
making good use of your time and
skills. That’s 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 a
group 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
don’t have an active group. Don’t be a
lone ranger! If you are working alone,
check the local pages of the
VolunteerNet to find your nearest
group and liaison ranger or ask your
volunteer support office for help to set
up a new group. We can introduce you
10
to your neighbouring rangers, and help
you to organise your first meeting and
get your group off the ground.
Liaison rangers
Sustrans 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
group’s regular activities. They are also
volunteers and can’t 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, don’t forget to let your liaison
ranger know.
If you haven’t got a liaison ranger, let
your volunteer support office know if
you are interested in taking on the role.

Regional Sustrans staff
It is essential Each region of the UK has Sustrans
regional directors and area managers.
that you Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
familiarise have their own national directors. It’s
their job to oversee all our local
yourself with the activities from route development to
maintenance Bike It, Travel Smart and Connect2.
They are very grateful for the huge
authority, and contribution that you make in
promoting Sustrans and helping to look
any agreement
after the National Cycle Network. They
that they may may also draw on your technical skills,
local knowledge and contacts when
have with planning and developing new routes.
Sustrans rangers
Sustrans regional staff can’t get to
to help look after know each of you individually, but they
the route. 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 authorities
Sustrans 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 other
landowners.
Teamwork
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 can
agree 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
volunteer support office.
If you are helping to look after a
section that is managed by Sustrans,
we may write to you to ask you to
undertake more regular route
inspections.
11
Ranger tasks
Part 4 Ranger tasks
There is always plenty to do as a ranger.
There are three main types of activities:
practical tasks, publicity and fundraising.
4.1 Practical ranger
tasks on your route
Starting out
Before beginning your practical ranger
tasks we suggest that you ride your
section of route to assess the type of
tasks that might need doing and also
identify any minor hazards that you
should be aware of such as road
crossings, steep slopes, and rivers or
canals. It is always better to be aware
in advance so that you can take
appropriate action to minimise and
avoid any risks.
You might find it helpful to use the risk
assessment form downloadable from
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk. Please
also make sure that you have read
Part 5 of this handbook ‘Working
safely’ before beginning your ranger
activities.
12
Monitoring and helping to
maintain your route
You should monitor your route at least
monthly (traffic-free) or two monthly (on
road). These are the typical things that
you will look out for:
• signs that are missing, turned the
wrong way, vandalized or misleading
• litter, glass and fly-tipping
• branches, brambles, nettles and
other vegetation encroaching onto
the route
• graffiti and other vandalism
• weather damage
• mileposts in need of painting
You will be able to deal with some of
these yourself, but you may need to
report bigger problems so that they
get dealt with as quickly as possible by
the maintenance authority. This section
looks at each of these maintenance
issues in turn. Before you begin work,
make sure that you have read Part 5,
Working safely.

Signing the National Cycle
The signs put Network
The most important task that you
up by rangers should do is to check and maintain the
are considered signs on your route. It only takes one
missing sign for someone to lose their
temporary, but way. Please check the signs every time
are essential to you cycle your route, and if there is a
sign missing, replace it with a
ensure that temporary sign. Detailed guidelines on
how to do this are provided below.
missing signs
are quickly
replaced.
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 volunteer
rangers to ensure that routes are
continuously signed.
Ranger tasks
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, check
with 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 hasn’t
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 at
approximately one-mile intervals to
reassure users that they are still on the
National Cycle Network.
13
Ranger tasks

visit www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk for

the full range of signs and a sign order
form.

How do you put signs up?

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.
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 to
a 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 authority’s or
landowner’s permission before doing
this so that a check can be done for
any services below the surface.

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 the
National Cycle Network. Attach them
to available posts, with the permission
of the landowner. See the appendix or

14

Dealing with other signing
Once your route problems
Graffiti
is continuously Please clean signs with graffiti remover
signed, you can available from your volunteer support
office and follow the safety instructions
also help to sign on the container.
destinations and
Vegetation
short links to the Signs can easily become obscured by
vegetation, especially in the summer.
National Cycle
Please cut back vegetation around
Network. signs, or report it if you can’t reach it.
Take care not to disturb nesting birds.
Over-signing
Don’t 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.
Ranger tasks
Advanced signing
Once 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 point
to 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.

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.

15
Ranger tasks
Each destination patch can carry up to
Always wear four destinations with distances and a
direction arrow. The format can be
gloves, and flexible. Please use the order form in
report any major, the appendix or on
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk, or
persistent or send specific requirements to:
signs@sustrans.org.uk
dangerous litter
problems to the Signing short links to and from the
National Cycle Network
local authority. It can often be useful to sign a short
link 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.
Ordering signs:
See the appendix or visit
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
for a full list of available signs
and a sign order form. Email
orders to signs@sustrans.org.uk
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.
16
Litter, glass and fly-tipping
Rangers 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 sweep
small 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.
 Ranger tasks
Vegetation control invasive weeds and are both becoming
We all like greenery, but vegetation can an increasing problem.
get out of control, encroaching onto
your route and obscuring signs which Ragwort can be dangerous to horses
makes the route less attractive for and there is a legal duty on
users. You can play a really useful role landowners to control it in England and
by helping to keep your route clear Wales. Where it represents a threat to
with these simple actions. horses, it should be pulled up and
removed off site or burned before it
Traffic-free routes goes to seed. Wear gloves at all time
Check your route regularly so that you when handling ragwort. If ragwort is
can identify and deal with problems spreading in your area, please report it
before they get out of hand. Cut back urgently to the route maintenance
overhanging branches, brambles and authority.
nettles to keep the path clear and
signs visible. If the problem becomes Knotweed is so vigorous and
too big to cope with using simple hand damaging that it is beyond the means
tools by yourself, report it to the of rangers to control it. If you identify
Cut back Japanese knotweed on your route you
maintenance authority or consider
overhanging organising a group workday to get to should notify the route maintenance
grips with the vegetation. See the authority. Most local authorities have a
branches, section below on ‘Workdays’. Please policy for the removal of this weed.
brambles and do not use power tools unless you
have approval from your volunteer
nettles to keep support office or local Sustrans staff.
Fact sheets on ragwort and
Japanese knotweed, including
the path clear • Always wear gloves when dealing
pictures to help you to identify
with vegetation, and appropriate
and signs visible. them, can be found on the
clothing, to avoid the risk of
VolunteerNet or are available
scratched arms and legs. Consider
from your volunteer support
wearing eye defenders if dealing with
office.
brambles.
• Push cuttings well out of the way of
cyclists and walkers. By making
small piles of cuttings on the verge
you will create new wildlife habitats.
• Do not undertake any major
vegetation clearance in bird nesting
season – early March to August.

On-road routes
Always ask the route maintenance
authority to undertake any necessary
vegetation clearance. Never put
yourself at any risk from traffic.

Invasive plants
Ragwort and Japanese knotweed are

17
Ranger tasks
Millennium mileposts
If you can’t deal There are more than 1000 mileposts
on the National Cycle Network, and
with a problem they all need looking after. We usually
yourself, you rely on rangers to paint their mileposts
unless they have been adopted by a
will need to local school. Please use Hammerite or
report it to the other domestic metallic paint, and
follow the safety instructions on the tin.
maintenance You may reclaim your costs from
Sustrans.
authority so
that it does get
dealt with.
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 antisocial
behaviour
If signs, sculptures or benches are
18
defaced with graffiti please try to
remove it using a graffiti removal kit
available from your volunteer support
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 of
vandalism, crime or antisocial
behaviour, bring it to the attention of
your community liaison police officer.
Reporting problems on your
route
If you can’t 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:
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
Alternatively, if you have an agreement
with the maintenance authority you
may use email or call their help-line.
Identifying route
obstructions on our public
mapping
If a route is temporarily blocked or
diverted, or access is limited by
weather damage, please report this to
our mapping team at
GISDept@sustrans.org.uk as well as to
the maintenance authority. We may

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, bat
boxes and tree planting
Many of our greenway routes are
natural 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.
Some ranger
For more information see
groups have built Sustrans ‘Biodiversity action
plan for the National Cycle
and erected bird Network’ at: www.sustrans.org.uk
and bat boxes,
others have Workdays
Community workdays are an excellent
managed the way for Sustrans volunteer groups to
vegetation to deal with larger maintenance problems
on traffic-free routes, and to gain local
encourage publicity. You can also invite your
community to become involved, which
endangered
will help to create a sense of local
species such as ownership of the route. Typical tasks
undertaken with community effort
glow worms, or include clearing vegetation, litter-picks,
planted local cleaning up graffiti, painting mileposts
and sculptures, tree planting and even
species of trees. building benches! It may all sound like
Ranger tasks
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:
supporters@sustrans.org.uk
• 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:
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
• Always send your volunteer support
office a copy of your combined
workday plan and risk assessment.
• If you are expecting more than 30
people, please let your volunteer
support office know in advance to
confirm insurance cover.
19
Ranger tasks
• 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.
See appendix for: ‘Organising
a Workday – Checklist for
organisers’. Download
combined workday plan and
risk assessment form from
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
or get one from your volunteer
support office.
Work with other groups
These 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?
20
Help Sustrans in your
community
There 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, to
helping 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 workcamp
Workcamps 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.
 Ranger tasks
These annual events are supervised by Organise an exhibition
We need your Sustrans staff, and are usually run in Organise a display in your local library
week-long blocks. There is a charge to or a stall at your school, town fete or
help to tell more cover accommodation and food. county show. We can provide display
people about material, leaflets, publications and a
To request further details about collection box for donations. Please ask
Sustrans and workcamps or if you’d like to us for supplies at least four weeks in
the work we do, help establish a workcamp in advance or longer if it is a large event.
your area contact
whether it’s workcamps@sustrans.org.uk or We want to attract people from all
visit www.sustrans.org.uk walks of life to our stalls, so please
building local
wear informal dress – or an event
walking and T-shirt which we can provide – instead
4.2 Promoting Sustrans
of cycling clothes which may only
cycle networks, As a Sustrans volunteer you play a
attract experienced cyclists.
central role in helping to promote all
or our very the work we do and to tell people
successful work about Sustrans. We need more people Contact our events officer on
to know about Sustrans and the work 0117 915 0135 to request
with children... we do, whether it’s building local display materials.
walking and cycle networks, or our
very successful work with children,
quadrupling the numbers of kids
cycling to school. We want to tell
everyone about our work improving
people’s 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.

21
Ranger tasks
Take some photos
Send us your Photos play a vital role in our
publications and presentations,
best photos of illustrating the activities of Sustrans and
volunteer rangers the contribution that volunteers make to
Sustrans.
in action and
local events like Please try to capture your activities and
community events on camera. Send us
rides and your photos of things you have fixed,
signing in action, mileposts you have
workdays.
painted, workdays, rides and walks – in
fact 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
available from your volunteer support
office.
Email your best photos to:
volunteers-uk@sustrans.org.uk
22
Give a talk
Give 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.
Contact your volunteer support
office to request presentation
materials.
Become your local group
publicity volunteer
Supporters 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.
Order supplies using the form at
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
or contact your volunteer
support office.

Lead a ride or walk
Many groups organise monthly sociable
rides to introduce newer cyclists to
each other and to their local routes of
the National Cycle Network. This is an
excellent 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 children’s 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
Ranger tasks
Cycle Network and tell them about
Sustrans.
See appendix for ride organiser
checklist. See
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
for event plans and risk
assessments or ask your
volunteer support office.
Tell the press
Local media coverage can really help to
boost the profile of Sustrans and
encourage more people to support us.
Are you interested in helping Sustrans
with media work in your area? If the
answer is yes then why not register as
your local Sustrans group’s 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).
23
Ranger tasks
As a media contact you may decide
that you want to issue a press release
or photo call notice for a local ranger
event such as a workday. It is an
excellent way to publicise local action
by volunteers, and to promote the
National Cycle Network. There’s 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:
press@sustrans.org.uk
24
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.

4.3 Fundraising
Encourage your
Help to fundraise for
work colleagues
Sustrans
to leave their car Sustrans is a charity, and we rely on
fundraising from a wide range of
at home during sources to enable us to develop the
Sustrans National Cycle Network and all our
other activities. The commitment of our
‘Change Your supporters who give us donations and
also many rangers who have raised
World’ week,
money locally have enabled us to work
and donate the on practical and imaginative solutions to
the transport challenges affecting us all.
money they save
to Sustrans. 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 Miles’
for Sustrans
Sponsored 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 like
every 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 the
route where participants’ mileage
cards are stamped.
Ranger tasks
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 fundraising
volunteer
If you like a challenge, become the
fundraising volunteer in your Sustrans
volunteer group and coordinate a
programme 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 don’t
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. We’ll send
you a thank you certificate to
acknowledge any money that
you raise for Sustrans.
25
Working safely
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.
5.1 Event plans and risk
assessments
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 things
to 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.
26
Visit
www.sustrans.volunteers.org.uk
for event plan and risk
assessment forms or request a
copy from your volunteer
support office.
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.

There are two combined event plans
Your first risk and risk assessments, and examples of
completed forms, on
assessment www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk. They
•The first time are also available from your volunteer
support office. One is designed for
you do a risk workdays and the other is for rides and
other events. They are designed for use
assessment you
as a ‘checklist’ before and on the day
must check it of your event, and as a prompt to help
convey important information to the
with your other participants.
volunteer
They should be completed well in
support office advance of your event, but you may
before the need to update them on the day, for
example if the weather has changed
event. and the ground is very wet and slippery.
•Thereafter:
The feedback section of the
don’t forget to
risk assessment form should
send us a copy be completed after the event
by the person who has overall
of your risk responsibility on the day, and
assessments returned to your volunteer
support office.
after each
event.
5.2 Carrying out
practical work safely
Personal protective
equipment and sensible
clothing
There 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
Working safely
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 you
may 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 by
adults.
• Check tools to ensure that blades
and heads are secure.
27
Working safely
• Your working area must be taped off
Power tools and warning signs erected to ensure
that there is no risk to the public.
should not be • Ensure that there is no one within 5
used without metres of you.
• Take care, if wearing gloves, that the
approval, tool cannot slip out of your hand.
training and risk
Bow saws
assessments. When using a bow saw, always wear a
glove on the hand holding whatever
you’re cutting because the saw can
sometimes 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.
For more details on safe use of
all types of hand tools, see
‘Safe use of tools’ on:
www.sustrans.volunteers.org.uk
Workdays – general points
At 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 your
risk assessment. A column has been
included for you to tick when you
have done this.
28
• 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.
See appendix for ‘Workday
event plan and risk assessment
form’, and ‘Workday checklist’.
Use them both when organising
your workday.

5.3 Organising rides
safely
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 wear
helmets, 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
Ranger tasks everyone be seen and it’s more fun.
should be safe Marshalls should always wear their
ranger vest.
and enjoyable
and we want Bike maintenance
Riders are responsible for their own
them to remain bicycles, which should be in a
roadworthy condition: remind riders to
that way.
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.
Working safely
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 ride
Ensure that everyone has returned safely
and invite feedback from the riders.
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
www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk
or ask your volunteer support
office for a copy.
5.4 Out on your own
Ranger 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 ranger
capacity. Remember what you have
witnessed, and, when you feel safe,
report it to the police.
29
Working safely
• 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 your route is
• If you feel uncomfortable cycling
alongside water, through an isolated section of your
route, pair up with another ranger
you must take when you monitor your route, or ask
some additional your liaison ranger or volunteer
support office for a different section of
precautions. route.
5.5 Working alongside
water
Several 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
water’s 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.
• Weil’s 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
30
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 a
river 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
water’s edge. The canal or river
authority will often be willing to loan
this equipment, and train you to
use it.
 Appendix
Part 6 Appendix

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.

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.

31
Appendix

Rides Checklist
Add a  in the boxes on the right when complete.

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 ensure
that 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.

32
Appendix

33
 34
Appendix
 Appendix
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 signs@sustrans.org.uk

Code Quantity Welsh language: Many of these signs are

available bilingually. See separate insert.
Route Signs
RC* Note: Signs marked with * all need route
SC* number or ‘This way to’ stickers.
RCW*
RS*
SS* Route number stickers
RSW*
SSW*
RD*
SD* National Route (NR) red/white
Regional route (RR) blue/white
SDW*
SAH
SAD Route No. NR/RR Quantity
SPP
SPB
Route signs for occasional use
DSS
DES
DAH
DAD
SL
STW
SMU
STR
SMB
SNN
RU* Name:
SU*
Signboards
Ranger number:
W1*
Delivery address:
W2*
W3*
INF1*
INF1W*
INF2*
INF2W*
INF3*
INF4*
INF5*
INF6*
35
Appendix

NCN Defect Report

To 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 Route no:

Organisation Report no:

Copy to Date:
Organisation
Location of problem

From
Address

Email
Telephone
Map enclosed
Nature of defect Tick in grey box to the left
Grid ref. (if known)
1 Path impassable
Safety issue: Yes No
2 Signing

3 Vegetation Priority
4 Boundaries High
5 Drainage
Medium
6 Encroachment
Low
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):
Signed:
36
 Appendix
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:

1 Date Description Amount

Total

2 Volunteer name

Address

Telephone

3 Approved by

Budget code

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

37
Appendix

Contacts and resources

Help to promote an event in the media:
Sustrans press office: press@sustrans.org.uk / 0117 927 7555

Sign order line: signs@sustrans.org.uk / 0117 915 0238

Supporter recruitment leaflets: request from your volunteer support office

Display material: events@sustrans.org.uk / 0117 915 0135

Collection boxes: supporters@sustrans.org.uk / 0117 915 0115

General information about Sustrans:

Sustrans information line: info@sustrans.org.uk / 0845 113 0065

Mapping amendments: GISDept@sustrans.org.uk

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 / volunteers-south@sustrans.org.uk
North of England: 0161 923 6050 / volunteers-north@sustrans.org.uk
Scotland: 0131 539 8122 / volunteers-scotland@sustrans.org.uk
Wales: 029 2065 0602 / volunteers-cymru@sustrans.org.uk
Northern Ireland: 028 9043 4569 / volunteers-ni@sustrans.org.uk
London, East Anglia and Kent: 0207 017 2356 / volunteers-london@sustrans.org.uk

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 present
Supporter leaflet order form
Most of the above are also downloadable from: www.sustransvolunteers.org.uk

38

Sustrans in your community
Sustrans is best known for the National Cycle Network, but there are now many more reasons to support us.
We hope that you will tell everyone why they should support our work and enable us to do even more.
TravelSmart gives individual households the
information 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 children
cycling 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
space more inspiring
• The National Cycle Network is the biggest sculpture
trail in the country and helps create an environment
that encourages walking and cycling. Ranging from
benches to drinking fountains, bridges to sculptures,
the artworks provide inspiration and enjoyment or
just a place to stop and rest!
More information on all these projects and where they are based is available at: www.sustrans.org.uk
Appendix
Connect2 delivering low-carbon active travel to
millions
• Sustrans Connect2 will revitalise walking and cycling
in 79 communities across the UK by creating new
networks of walking and cycling routes for the local
journeys that we all make every day. Crossings and
bridges will be created over busy roads, railway lines
and rivers, linking into new networks of local paths to
get people to where they want to go by foot or bike.
The National Cycle Network is for everyone
• Sustrans has coordinated the development of the
National Cycle Network. This is more than 12,000
miles of cycling and walking routes. Almost one third
of the routes are traffic-free, a perfect place for
children to explore, new cyclists to gain confidence,
and walkers to enjoy peace and quiet. And it’s all
free to use!
• 55% of the population live within one mile of the
NCN.
• 354 million journeys were made on the Network
during 2007 and around half of these were on foot,
enabling people to make local journeys in a
sustainable way.
• Children made 54 million trips to school on the
Network.
• One third of users of the NCN are women.
Volunteer rangers help keep the NCN in good
condition
• 2,500 volunteer rangers in more than 200 groups
help Sustrans and our partners to look after and
promote the National Cycle Network. Rangers help
to look after signing of routes, clear litter, cut back
vegetation and encourage more people to cycle and
walk by leading rides and walks and organising
publicity events.
Sustrans also works hard to help governments
develop sustainable and active travel policies to
enable more people to travel in ways that benefit
their health and the environment
• Sustrans works with policy makers and other
organisations to ensure that our work to deliver
low-carbon, active travel is widely recognised and
embedded in policy related to environment,
transport, planning, education, health and the
economy throughout the UK.
39
A guaranteed seat every day.