lachlanandmarcus
Well-Known Member
This railway trail has been ridden by horseriders for over 40 years, with no conflict with other users and no incidents reported, even by the Ramblers. The Alban way is one of the few safe off road routes for horseriders in the area and provides a critical link between a number of bridleways. In addition 'Peggys Path' is planned to be upgraded to bridleway status yet this needs the Alban way to remain accessible.
However in the draft management plan (currently out for consultation yet no horseriding groups or the local access forum consulted!), the following statement is slipped in:
"6.4 By the agreement of all land owners horse usage is currently not allowed on any part of
the Alban Way except where bridleways cross. Many sections are considered
inappropriate due to the steep nature of embankments and the potential for conflict with
other user groups as well as damage to the surface."
link to full doc
http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-green-space/railway-trails/AW-MP.aspx
This is despite horseriders being permitted on the route and the council supposedly having a commitment to a network of safe offroad routes for vulnerable road users including horseriders!
The local access forum have asked for urgent discussions concerning this statement and also the local parish council have decided to formally object. But we need you too. If you have ever ridden the Alban way in the past (which provides evidence of continuous trouble free use) or if you do so today, you need to take action.
Please email or write to The Head of Culture and Community Development at SADC ,his email address is
richard.shwe@stalbans.gov.uk
and tell him about your riding of this route and why this plan is so lazy, unnecessary and wrong. If poss, post on here if you send something so we know how many people have emailed/written to him.
thankyou!
However in the draft management plan (currently out for consultation yet no horseriding groups or the local access forum consulted!), the following statement is slipped in:
"6.4 By the agreement of all land owners horse usage is currently not allowed on any part of
the Alban Way except where bridleways cross. Many sections are considered
inappropriate due to the steep nature of embankments and the potential for conflict with
other user groups as well as damage to the surface."
link to full doc
http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks-and-green-space/railway-trails/AW-MP.aspx
This is despite horseriders being permitted on the route and the council supposedly having a commitment to a network of safe offroad routes for vulnerable road users including horseriders!
The local access forum have asked for urgent discussions concerning this statement and also the local parish council have decided to formally object. But we need you too. If you have ever ridden the Alban way in the past (which provides evidence of continuous trouble free use) or if you do so today, you need to take action.
Please email or write to The Head of Culture and Community Development at SADC ,his email address is
richard.shwe@stalbans.gov.uk
and tell him about your riding of this route and why this plan is so lazy, unnecessary and wrong. If poss, post on here if you send something so we know how many people have emailed/written to him.
thankyou!