Bridle way obstructed by a locked gate

[Patches]

Neighbouring farmer has decided to put a gate and lock it on the only bridle way around here. It's on our deeds (as we own part of it) as a bridle way and byway and formed a big loop around all the farms that took about an hour and a half to hack. They only have ownership of about a 1/4 mile stretch of the loop though. Was my favourite hack. It's been driven and ridden down for decades

They keep horses themselves but say they own the track and are sick of people accessing it. As far as I'm aware it's still a right of access as a byway/bridleway.The part of the track that we own runs along side our fields and it's clearly labelled as a byway/bridleway on our deeds. Perhaps about 1/4 miles worth belongs to us. If we locked our part of the track, they wouldn't be very happy.

Gaaaah! People are such gits sometimes.

 

[Elise]

Jump it! That will teach him lol

 

[PeterNatt]

The first thing you need to establish is what status it is marked as on the definitive map. The definitive map is held by your local County Council and has all Public Rights of Way marked on it.

If it is on the definitive map as a bridleway or of higher status then all you need to do is write to the access department of your local County Council and advise them that is is obstructed. They will then have to take action.

If it is not on the definitive map then you need to collect evidence forms from anyone that has used it so that you can claim it as a bridleway or a Restricted Byeway or BOAT. If you need more advice then contact me directly on peter.natt@btointernet.com.

BHS Volunteer Bridleway Officer Hertfordshire

 

[airedale]

Peter,

I thought under an act that came into force april/may that you cannot have BOATs anymore, only restricted byways

and if they are the same evidence forms we had to do round here then they are as clear as mud, as complicated as knitting and about as appealing for people to fill in as a tax return.

Can something not be done to make these evidence forms more 'simple' as we had problems that people who were initiallyt prepared to provide verification took one look at a two sided overly complicated form and didn't fill it in.

we also go 'in trouble' for trying to help by filling in the obvious bits like the path location and dates of obstruction,etc as this is apparently contrary to some rule or other that prohibits 'mass produced' forms from being accepted - despite us being careful to not fill in the 'personal' bits of the form in any way.

 

[jinglejoys]

Ask on these sites you will get advice!

http://www.bridleways.co.uk/

http://www.equineramblersuk.co.uk/horse-talk/index.php

 

[Pidge]

Peter,
any advice please as have reported last year several problems with bridleways here in Stafford and despite chasing on numerous occassions nothing has been done

any ideas on how I can get the council to actually do something?
Cheers

 

[PeterNatt]

You are correct that any Byeways that have not been claimed as BOATS will now become Restricted Byeways. This means that Motorised Vehicles can not use them

Each evidence form needs to be completed in full by the person completing it as they may be used in a public enquiry which means that the person may be asked questions by the public inspector whilst under oath. People really should be prepared to spare time to complete them in full as at the end of the day it is of benefit to riders.