Can I do anything about this? Bridleway part blocked.

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CazD

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One of the bridleways near me is up a six foot wide track with quarry and woodland either side, dropping away from the track (so you cannot step off the track at all IYSWIM). Towards the end of the track is a house on one side of the track and a tiny paddock on the other side of the track. There is usually a couple of snarling dogs in the garden going mental through the wire as you pass. In the paddock are a couple of pigs. Just past the house the path goes to about three feet wide with a drop either side. Its not a pleasant section to pass through at the best of times as you've got to pass between the dogs and the pigs. Today, I've noticed the house owners have put a couple of electric fence poles across about half of the track and stuck a load of red and white ticker tape stuff across, effectively reducing the width to 3 feet. There's no way I'll be able to get down the track now - the dogs and pigs were bad enough but having to walk through a gap with "electric" tape across too will just about finish things. If the horse bolts then she will be heading straight for a narrow section of the path. Its definitely an accident waiting to happen.
Can they just do this?
 
Contact your bridleway officer at the council. There's a bridleway near me - the only bridleway:D, that is a narrow path with a very steep drop down into a wood, I contacted the bridleways officer - I think his full title was Public Rights Of Way Officer. He was really helpful, he wasn't sure exactly where I meant so he came so I could show him and within a few days there was a post and rail fence in place.

As far as I know there isn't a legal width for a bridleway but 2 horses should be able to pass each other.
 
Your BHS bridleway officer if you go on their website you should be able to contact the for advice. They are always very helpful.
 
if it were me, I'd probably just go and take the fencing down, haha! its for public use, what happens if someone get tangled in it and hurts themselves, they'd be liable for any damages! they shouldn't be able to get away with it!

however, that sounds like the scariest track to ride down, not sure I'd have the courage, i'd be scared of falling down the side haha
 
Get the BHS or local council access officer involved, its easier than it being you vs householder.

If they have narrrowed a public bridleway to less than 2metres (6 feet) then they could well be in breach of the law

see the following

From Highways Act 1980, Schedule 12A:

1 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule the “minimum width” and “maximum width” of a highway shall be determined in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below.

(2) In any case where the width of the highway is proved, that width is both the “minimum width” and the “maximum width”.

(3) In any other case—

(a) the “minimum width” is—

(i) as respects a footpath which is not a field-edge path, 1 metre,

(ii) as respects a footpath which is a field-edge path, 1.5 metres,

(iii) as respects a bridleway which is not a field-edge path, 2 metres, or

(iv) as respects any other highway, 3 metres; and

(b) the “maximum width” is—

(i) as respects a footpath, 1.8 metres,

(ii) as respects a bridleway, 3 metres, or

(iii) as respects any other highway, 5 metres.
 
Most rights of way are now with Highways department at council.Sounds like they dont want anyone going down the ROW and are making it difficult by obstructing part of it.

Complain.
 
I've wondered about this as a restricted byway that I use is next to a house and the owner seems to have placed a large oil drum in the middle of the track. She also has a large mounting block on it. :confused:
 
I strongly urge anyone who has a problem with any Public Right of Way to complain to their local council, many of which have a PROW officer. Also, many areas have a Bridleways Association. I think the BHS website will list the Associations, plus there is a great deal of PROW info on there.

Keep complaining until the matter is put right.
 
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