PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
The coastal access bill may prevent horse riders from continuing from using existing bridleway routes which become part of the coastal access route.
Please read the consultation documentation of which the link is to be found below and then register so that you can make comments on it.
Natural England's Coastal Access Scheme: Consultation
http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE222
The British Horse Society suggests that the following comments are made details of which are below:
That whilst it is not a statutory requirement of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to explain Natural England's approach to the provision of wider public access benefits for horse riders, it should do so, otherwise the opportunity to provide access for equestrians will be lost.
That all unrecorded or under recorded public rights of way and all rights for the equestrian public to air and exercise on common land, on routes which will be subject to the new coastal access provisions, ought to be researched and properly recorded by the access authority before the new coastal trail is implemented. This is essential if equestrians are not to find that routes to which they have a statutory right of access are barred to them by the introduction in connection with the coastal trail of kissing gates and similar barriers.
That the signposts and furniture for the new access rights must be designed so that those higher right users who already have lawful access along sections of the route and on the beaches are not excluded, and so that walkers realise that other users will lawfully be there.
That it is important that landowners be encouraged to provide new permanent access rights for equestrians either by dedicating higher rights on public rights of way or by using S.16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
That the draft Scheme should be amended so that no part of an existing National Trail that presently carries rights for equestrians would be diverted onto the new coastal trail where this would involve a loss of National Trail for equestrians. Equestrians need more access to National Trails, not less.
That we support the requirement for dogs to be kept on a short lead in the vicinity of livestock, including horses.
That it is essential that Natural England and the Coastal Access Authorities work closely with The British Horse Society to ensure that access is provided for equestrians wherever possible.
That it is essential that The British Horse Society is involved in all of the key stages of the implementation process.
Responses to the consultation should be made using the online form or if this is not possible by forwarding it to facilitators@dialoguebydesign.com. If you have any difficulties in submitting your response please contact Sarah Alder on 0208 683 6602 who is handling such queries on behalf of Natural England.
The closing date for responses is 6pm 5 February 2010.
Please read the consultation documentation of which the link is to be found below and then register so that you can make comments on it.
Natural England's Coastal Access Scheme: Consultation
http://naturalengland.etraderstores.com/NaturalEnglandShop/NE222
The British Horse Society suggests that the following comments are made details of which are below:
That whilst it is not a statutory requirement of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 to explain Natural England's approach to the provision of wider public access benefits for horse riders, it should do so, otherwise the opportunity to provide access for equestrians will be lost.
That all unrecorded or under recorded public rights of way and all rights for the equestrian public to air and exercise on common land, on routes which will be subject to the new coastal access provisions, ought to be researched and properly recorded by the access authority before the new coastal trail is implemented. This is essential if equestrians are not to find that routes to which they have a statutory right of access are barred to them by the introduction in connection with the coastal trail of kissing gates and similar barriers.
That the signposts and furniture for the new access rights must be designed so that those higher right users who already have lawful access along sections of the route and on the beaches are not excluded, and so that walkers realise that other users will lawfully be there.
That it is important that landowners be encouraged to provide new permanent access rights for equestrians either by dedicating higher rights on public rights of way or by using S.16 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
That the draft Scheme should be amended so that no part of an existing National Trail that presently carries rights for equestrians would be diverted onto the new coastal trail where this would involve a loss of National Trail for equestrians. Equestrians need more access to National Trails, not less.
That we support the requirement for dogs to be kept on a short lead in the vicinity of livestock, including horses.
That it is essential that Natural England and the Coastal Access Authorities work closely with The British Horse Society to ensure that access is provided for equestrians wherever possible.
That it is essential that The British Horse Society is involved in all of the key stages of the implementation process.
Responses to the consultation should be made using the online form or if this is not possible by forwarding it to facilitators@dialoguebydesign.com. If you have any difficulties in submitting your response please contact Sarah Alder on 0208 683 6602 who is handling such queries on behalf of Natural England.
The closing date for responses is 6pm 5 February 2010.