Bridleway marked on OU map but only a footpath sign there?

[Sparkly Snowdrop]

If a bridleway is marked as such on a map but not on the ground, you should go by the signs on the ground. If you look on the bottom corner of your OS map you will find it states something to the effect that just beacuse something is marked on a map does not mean it is a right of way. I would contact your local council before riding your horse on something that is marked as a footpath, to avoid annoying field owners.

 

[Gloi]

Lucky you I reported 3 awkward heavy gates on one bridleway 3 years ago. Still have the holding letter saying they are dealing with it. Needless to say gates are still there and having spinal probs I can no longer use that route as I can't get off manouvre gates and get back on again without having done myself a nasty!

Keep reporting it and get others to do the same.

 

[MrsElle]

Keep reporting it and get others to do the same.

This.

Although our old RoW officer told me that some stubborn farmers are a nightmare, and have even been taken to court after refusing to reinstate bridleways. One old boy got taken to court and told he had to reinstate a right of way over one of his fields, only to then sign the land over to his sister who lived in France. He told the council he didn't know her address......

I think that particular battle has been going on for 6 years now.

 

[EstherYoung]

Hi,

There are loads of bridleways marked on an OU map I got today from the local tourist info (so should be up to date). There all around my livery. I walked and drove to a few.... some I couldn't even figure out there they were... but other I found but only had a public footpath sign no bridleway sign.

There are loads and not one of them ahs a bridleway sign? So can I ride on them? The one I really like it a wide grass track up the middle of fields (hedge either side) looks great for a little hack, a gate so easy to open but it just says it a footpath even tho on my map it says it a bridleway?

It is the green dashes for bridleway isn't it????

Thanks, Nikki

I don't know exactly where you are, but from what I remember round Leominster they are reasonably good at marking up their tracks, and certainly a quick look at geograph indicates that there are a fair few signs... There are a lot of footpaths that run close to bridleways in that area, so it may be that the sign is for a footpath that starts in the same place but goes off at a slightly different angle and the bridleway sign has been nicked/broken. If you've got the detailed map with the field boundaries on it (the orange 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map), you should be able to tell exactly where the marked bridleway is meant to go. And if there are any blockages or mis-signage then have a word with the council. Have a word with your local BHS bridleways officer too, as if there have been any bones of contention with local paths they will know.

ps This is quite a good site for finding out exactly where the paths are meant to go: http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm

 

[PeterNatt]

If you believe that a particular path is incorrectly signed then you need to contact the Definitive Map Officer at your local County Council who will be able to confirm the precise status of the path in question. If in fact it has been incorrectly signed then contact the Access Officer of your local County Council and they will then arrange to get the sign changed.
Peter Natt BHS Access/Bridleway Officer North Hertfordshire