Capriole
Well-Known Member
where does the OP say this is a post only about roads and tracks? Im missing it so if someone could point out where Pedantic says this Id be obliged
Following on from angry Farmer
- Thread starter Pedantic
- Start date
where does the OP say this is a post only about roads and tracks? Im missing it so if someone could point out where Pedantic says this Id be obliged
Suziq77
Well-Known Member
This explains a lot! I can understand where the farmers are coming from on this one. Now, what can be done to try to get this law changed so that we can get a better dialogue going about safe routes for horses without upsetting any farmers.....?
lazybee
Well-Known Member
where does the OP say this is a post only about roads and tracks? Im missing it so if someone could point out where Pedantic says this Id be obliged
OOOps sorry, hands held up. This is the follow on thread, I mistook it for the original thread.
Capriole
Well-Known Member
no worries lol.
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
No probs.
Ollie's Mum
Well-Known Member
We had a similar situation with one of our tracks designated as a BOAT (byway open to all traffic) where the farmer whose land it ran across made ramshackle gates that were held together with baler band and had been known to threaten someone with a shotgun for daring to ride along it. Representitives from the council and bridleways association had to go out with a police escort to see him! It turned out that his main objection was not to horse riders but rather the fact that it was a BOAT meant that trail bikers were allowed to use it and he was afraid that if the access were better then they'd be riding up and down churning it up. I think that he was taken to court in the end and as a result the track was improved and proper gates were fitted. Sadly the farmer's fears were realised as there was an instance of quad and trail bikers swarming all over it for several hours one day, churning up the newly laid surface. Council said nothing could be done as they were allowed access - we argued that didn't mean that they were allowed to play there - what if we as riders had put up a x-country course?! Luckily we haven't had any problems since and it's a much appreciated track. I've always smiled and chatted to the farmer when I've seen him and never had a shotgun waved at me yet!
OWLIE185
Well-Known Member
As someone that spends a lot of my spare time sorting out rights of way issues in North Hertfordshire the problem I face is the lack of horse riders that are prepared to spend any money or time at all in supporting the work done to improve existing bridleways and byways and creating new ones.
What I would ask for is for anyone that wishes to do something positive about this issue is to become a Gold member of the British Horse Society. This at least would increase membership of the BHS and put the BHS at a strategic advantage when talking to government and local authorities.
What I should explain to you is that in 1949 when the governmebnt asked that each parish declared the public rights of ways and status of them that at the time there where a lot of landowners and farmers on the Parish Councils which resulted in a number of Rights of Ways not being declared at all and many that where bridleways and byways being declared as public footpaths. Local riders did nothing about this because they wished to remain on friendly terms with their local farmers and landowners.
We are now in situation where only 22% of the public rights of ways in Great Britain can be legally used by horse riders.
Please do not feel too sorry for land owners/farmers (I am a landowner myself) but they receive what is called 'Single Area Payment' for each hectre of land that they own from the European public purse. This is no small sum of money which is coming out of our taxes.
As regards the ploughing up of a bridleway that runs accross the middle of a field this should be re-instated within 10 days and if not please contact the access department of your County Council. A bridleway that runs along the edge of a field may not be ploughed up at all. A byway may not be ploughed up.
All gates should be easy to open and close from horseback and if nota re deemed an obstruction. Again report all non-compliant gates to the access department of your local county council.
What I would ask for is for anyone that wishes to do something positive about this issue is to become a Gold member of the British Horse Society. This at least would increase membership of the BHS and put the BHS at a strategic advantage when talking to government and local authorities.
What I should explain to you is that in 1949 when the governmebnt asked that each parish declared the public rights of ways and status of them that at the time there where a lot of landowners and farmers on the Parish Councils which resulted in a number of Rights of Ways not being declared at all and many that where bridleways and byways being declared as public footpaths. Local riders did nothing about this because they wished to remain on friendly terms with their local farmers and landowners.
We are now in situation where only 22% of the public rights of ways in Great Britain can be legally used by horse riders.
Please do not feel too sorry for land owners/farmers (I am a landowner myself) but they receive what is called 'Single Area Payment' for each hectre of land that they own from the European public purse. This is no small sum of money which is coming out of our taxes.
As regards the ploughing up of a bridleway that runs accross the middle of a field this should be re-instated within 10 days and if not please contact the access department of your County Council. A bridleway that runs along the edge of a field may not be ploughed up at all. A byway may not be ploughed up.
All gates should be easy to open and close from horseback and if nota re deemed an obstruction. Again report all non-compliant gates to the access department of your local county council.
Ceris Comet
Well-Known Member
We must not forget the fact that we chose to buy our horses/dogs etc not the farmer, so why should he now be expected to cater for our chosen hobby ?
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Ceris comet- good point. I've never owned land, but the bridleways in my area have disappeared due to development mainly, not because of issues with farmers.
PandorasJar
Well-Known Member
+1, only once have I been in trouble with a farmer while riding and I totally deserved it... I was tearing up the stubble fields
Having lived on farms all my life and having actually closed off our fields (private but we let it be open access) due to people taking the royal p*ss I understand where farmers are coming from... I wouldn't expect to ride through someones garden (though this is exactly what the hunt did to us at our farm... hopped the fence and left tracks and cr*p all in the garden! As kids we ended up having to just scarper out the way, it was outrageous!) and so shouldn't expect it through someones field.
I have used several private areas, some contacting the farmer first where known and if not, when coming across them I always stopped my horse smiled and asked how they were, sorry that I hadn't been able to find their contact details but I always stay off the fields and am sensible and did they mind if I carried on... do you know what, none did
The ones that do have normally got that way from people continually taking the mick and not behaving curteously.Pan
Ceris Comet
Well-Known Member
Pan , youre a breath of fresh air !
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Great idea - the guys opposite me have a lovely big arena and jumps - less than 2 minutes walk away.
Instead I box out to one five miles away and pay to hire it
What was I thinking?
jinglejoys
Well-Known Member
"Please do not feel too sorry for land owners/farmers (I am a landowner myself) but they receive what is called 'Single Area Payment' for each hectre of land that they own from the European public purse. This is no small sum of money which is coming out of our taxes"
I've never had or claimed a penny so rather object to this comment
I've never had or claimed a penny so rather object to this comment
Capriole
Well-Known Member
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Jftd- I thought so too, there's a huge one with a great surface & floodlights down the lane from me, used to be a riding school so jumps & games stuff. Much easier than using our field. Sure the owners will be delighted. Local golf course & cricket grounds also appeal, all that lovely ground & lots of stuff that could be put to use as jumps.
Booboos
Well-Known Member
I think that debating the right and wrongs of using other people's land is slightly off the topic. The success of the ramblers and cyclists is that they don't spend their time arguing with individuals over access they have no right over, rather they pressure the government to award them extra access and to spend money on their needs.
Imagine if the government had a scheme whereby it paid farmers to allow riders access over their land and this was a substantial income for them, wouldn't large numbers of farmers voluntarily subscribe? Or a scheme whereby horse lanes were created next to roads to offer safe passage from one off-road area to another.
Imagine if the government had a scheme whereby it paid farmers to allow riders access over their land and this was a substantial income for them, wouldn't large numbers of farmers voluntarily subscribe? Or a scheme whereby horse lanes were created next to roads to offer safe passage from one off-road area to another.
JFTDWS
+++ Out of Cheese Error +++
Local golf course has some lovely banks and water complexes to play with too - score
I was just thinking about such a scheme. It would make sense - it's surely the only way more bridleways could be created - most footpaths aren't suitable without investment or are narrower so wouldn't be very fair on farmers just to force them to widen them to bp standards without any incentive. Or an adjustment to the SFP scheme to allow riders access to conservation edges or something?
PolarSkye
Well-Known Member
Why do we get such a raw deal wrt land set aside for us to use/hack on? 1) Because as a hobby, riding is STILL perceived as elitist . . . and some of us do little to break the stereotype; 2) as others have said, because cyclists and walkers are much better organized and have worked out what they want and how to achieve it - we spend half our time in-fighting (check out the Welshies thread if you want a great example); 3) because farmers who DO set aside land for public right of way then have to worry about that right of way being abused . . . better to just not bother - they have enough on their plates without policing their own land to get rid of people who let their dogs run loose and worry livestock, trample their crops, use dirt bikes illegally, etc.; 4) because we are a very crowded island - land is at a premium . . . those who have it guard it jealously . . . sometimes the hassle of letting other people enjoy it isn't worth the hassle; 5) and this will sound daft, but people who like going for a Sunday stroll complete with umbrellas, multiple buggies, loose dogs and screaming children don't necessarily co-exist well with people on large, unpredictable horses who crap everywhere and cyclists who are the "silent but deadly" bane of many riders; and lastly 6) people are largely ignorant (in the "don't know" sense of the word, not the "purposely stupid" sense) of the needs of riders for safe, off-road hacking . . . I guarantee that there's a prevailing feeling that we have arenas to ride in so what more do we want . . . put a few non-horsey local councilors on horseback and send them around the local roads and they might realize how hairy it can be . . . .
Riders need to organize better . . . get people on-side instead of moaning about what they don't have . . . there is a wealth of municipal land (the perimeter of golf courses, for instance, that could be set aside for hacking. But we tend to approach these issues with a sense of entitlement . . . and I think it puts people's backs up . . . plus they just don't understand . . . because we don't take the time to explain it without sounding terribly spoiled.
P
Riders need to organize better . . . get people on-side instead of moaning about what they don't have . . . there is a wealth of municipal land (the perimeter of golf courses, for instance, that could be set aside for hacking. But we tend to approach these issues with a sense of entitlement . . . and I think it puts people's backs up . . . plus they just don't understand . . . because we don't take the time to explain it without sounding terribly spoiled.
P
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
I want to bang my head on the desk at this point - as I often do when bridlepaths and access are discussed.
1. Please, please, please any of you that are concerned about the subject join the BHS, find out who your local BHS Access Officer is, or your local Bridleways Group. There are many dedicated people who face an uphill fight on behalf of ALL RIDERS in the country.
They need support - which means you. That includes finding out the LAWS on access, where to make complaints to the Council if necessary, who is on your Local Access Forum who represents equestrians and just get involved.
2. There was a scheme which created routes on farmland, under the New Labour government, it was called the Higher Level Environmental Scheme. It was part of a whole farm application, so was not easy for the farmer, also when the Conservatives were elected it was ommitted from new applications, so when the 10 year agreement runs out it will no longer be funded so I don't know what will happen to the routes created. (I have one very close and it is a very valuable addition to my riding).
3. You can create routes on your own farm land the Toll Rides Off Road Trust do this and they have all legal and planning matters covered. If you want to give free riding you do not have to charge! But generally there is a charge to riders to subscribe and the farmers get the money, less the admin charges. Some farmers can make quite a lot of money from this if they are in a part of the world where there are many riders.
www.tollrides. org. uk.
Polar Skye you are 100% right in your assessment of the problem!
1. Please, please, please any of you that are concerned about the subject join the BHS, find out who your local BHS Access Officer is, or your local Bridleways Group. There are many dedicated people who face an uphill fight on behalf of ALL RIDERS in the country.
They need support - which means you. That includes finding out the LAWS on access, where to make complaints to the Council if necessary, who is on your Local Access Forum who represents equestrians and just get involved.
2. There was a scheme which created routes on farmland, under the New Labour government, it was called the Higher Level Environmental Scheme. It was part of a whole farm application, so was not easy for the farmer, also when the Conservatives were elected it was ommitted from new applications, so when the 10 year agreement runs out it will no longer be funded so I don't know what will happen to the routes created. (I have one very close and it is a very valuable addition to my riding).
3. You can create routes on your own farm land the Toll Rides Off Road Trust do this and they have all legal and planning matters covered. If you want to give free riding you do not have to charge! But generally there is a charge to riders to subscribe and the farmers get the money, less the admin charges. Some farmers can make quite a lot of money from this if they are in a part of the world where there are many riders.
www.tollrides. org. uk.
Polar Skye you are 100% right in your assessment of the problem!
Jingleballs
Well-Known Member
I agree that in order to address the issues that rider need to become more co ordinated in tackling this problem and that there needs to be more emphasis on responsible riding because the behaviour of a small number of riders can ruin it for everyone else!
I've been struggling for almost 3 years to get support from the council and now the BHS to stop a local land owner (in fact he doesn't even own the land he rents it) who farms sheep from blocking off rights of way.
He has now blocked off 3 public rights of way - 2 with locked gates and 1 with a variety of obstacles i.e. logs/felled trees/gates. These paths are all included in the councils core path proposals.
In all the time I've been raising this issue only one small improvement has been made - the riders/cyclists/walkers still can't access the paths and the farmer gets away with it. This is a particularly nasty little man who is know for his agressive behaviour and who I will no longer approach after he fired a shotgun in my direction (he claims he was shooting a rabbit).
I have had some good success with the foresty commission though who put in a horse friendly gate to ensure that we had easy access to our local forest and who were also kind enough to put some hard core down to stop the gate area getting muddy - they are also in the process of sourcing some mounting blocks as riders do need to get on and off to open the gate.
What does irritate me is that while other local riders are happy to use this new gate they did little if anything to help get it installed.
I'm now tempted to put up some signs around the area asking other local riders to contact the council/bhs so that it's not just left to one or two individuals to fight for the rights of the masses!
I've been struggling for almost 3 years to get support from the council and now the BHS to stop a local land owner (in fact he doesn't even own the land he rents it) who farms sheep from blocking off rights of way.
He has now blocked off 3 public rights of way - 2 with locked gates and 1 with a variety of obstacles i.e. logs/felled trees/gates. These paths are all included in the councils core path proposals.
In all the time I've been raising this issue only one small improvement has been made - the riders/cyclists/walkers still can't access the paths and the farmer gets away with it. This is a particularly nasty little man who is know for his agressive behaviour and who I will no longer approach after he fired a shotgun in my direction (he claims he was shooting a rabbit).
I have had some good success with the foresty commission though who put in a horse friendly gate to ensure that we had easy access to our local forest and who were also kind enough to put some hard core down to stop the gate area getting muddy - they are also in the process of sourcing some mounting blocks as riders do need to get on and off to open the gate.
What does irritate me is that while other local riders are happy to use this new gate they did little if anything to help get it installed.
I'm now tempted to put up some signs around the area asking other local riders to contact the council/bhs so that it's not just left to one or two individuals to fight for the rights of the masses!
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
The procedure for removing an obstruction - locked gates, barbed wire, derelict machinery, fallen trees etc etc etc is as follows:
Send a report of the obstruction to your local authority PRoW Department, and ask them for a timescale when action will be taken. KEEP COPIES! (Could SEND BY RECORDED DELIVERY! )
The report should contain the following information:
1. Your full name and contact details.
2. Date the problem discovered.
3. How long it has been a problem (if ongoing).
4. Full details of path: Type of path. Number of path.
5. In which parish is the path?
6. Grid references of start and end of path, and of position of obstruction.
7. Name of property on which path is situated (if known eg name of farm, wood, estate, park). (These path details should be checked on the definitive map if you have the slightest doubt about anything; in any case you will need to see the definitive map in order to quote the parish name and path number). The Definitive Map is held by your local County Council and should be available via the council's website.
8. Nature of the problem and comments on the relevance of the problem eg "locked gate; totally prevents access to remainder of path and connections to bridleway X and UCCR Y". or "path impassible due to fallen tree at grid reference 123456". or "chain harrows placed across path prevent any use of the path beyond GR 123456. These harrows are rusty and have abundant vegetation growing between the links, indicating that they have been in this position for some time"
9. A sketch map of where the problem is, and how it affects use of the path, may be useful.
10, DON'T FORGET to sign it and date it!
11. DON'T get emotional when writing it - stick to the facts. eg if there is a pool of slurry, don't write "eeeww it is disgusting and it stinks", but state that you are concerned about environmental pollution, hygiene and disease transmission ...
12. If nothing has happened after a month, contact the PRoW Department again and inform them that if no action is taken, then you may have to consider making a "Section 63" request. Section 63 of the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act is an extremely powerful tool, and starts a process which, if not acted on, will result in a magistrates order requiring the Local Authority to take action to get the obstruction removed.
This process requires a series of specific Magistrates Court Process forms to be used. Generally, once Form 1 is received by the Local Authority, then they will take action and the problem will be sorted. HOWEVER there are some "renegade" local authorities who will try to get cost awards against users. For the majority of local authorities this is a very slim to zero risk, but you MUST make absolutely sure of your facts before sending Form 1 and activating Section 63. The mere mention of a section 63 will often galvanise the more craven, or more cooperative, LA's into action.
Obstructions commonly dealt with under section 63 are some of the following:
missing sign or waymark/incorrectly-sited sign or waymark/misleading sign or waymark/dangerous surface/surface out of repair/uncut crop with no indication of path/ploughed path/ploughed or cultivated path not reinstated/locked, unusable or dangerous gate/bull of a dairy breed over 10 months old/aggressive dog/missing or unsafe bridge/poor drainage impeding passage/fallen trees or branches/vegetation overgrowth esp nettles, brambles, gorse/dangerous fencing eg barb, electric/buildings and constructions/machinery on path/rocks on path/presence of slurry on path.
Send a report of the obstruction to your local authority PRoW Department, and ask them for a timescale when action will be taken. KEEP COPIES! (Could SEND BY RECORDED DELIVERY! )
The report should contain the following information:
1. Your full name and contact details.
2. Date the problem discovered.
3. How long it has been a problem (if ongoing).
4. Full details of path: Type of path. Number of path.
5. In which parish is the path?
6. Grid references of start and end of path, and of position of obstruction.
7. Name of property on which path is situated (if known eg name of farm, wood, estate, park). (These path details should be checked on the definitive map if you have the slightest doubt about anything; in any case you will need to see the definitive map in order to quote the parish name and path number). The Definitive Map is held by your local County Council and should be available via the council's website.
8. Nature of the problem and comments on the relevance of the problem eg "locked gate; totally prevents access to remainder of path and connections to bridleway X and UCCR Y". or "path impassible due to fallen tree at grid reference 123456". or "chain harrows placed across path prevent any use of the path beyond GR 123456. These harrows are rusty and have abundant vegetation growing between the links, indicating that they have been in this position for some time"
9. A sketch map of where the problem is, and how it affects use of the path, may be useful.
10, DON'T FORGET to sign it and date it!
11. DON'T get emotional when writing it - stick to the facts. eg if there is a pool of slurry, don't write "eeeww it is disgusting and it stinks", but state that you are concerned about environmental pollution, hygiene and disease transmission ...
12. If nothing has happened after a month, contact the PRoW Department again and inform them that if no action is taken, then you may have to consider making a "Section 63" request. Section 63 of the 2000 Countryside and Rights of Way Act is an extremely powerful tool, and starts a process which, if not acted on, will result in a magistrates order requiring the Local Authority to take action to get the obstruction removed.
This process requires a series of specific Magistrates Court Process forms to be used. Generally, once Form 1 is received by the Local Authority, then they will take action and the problem will be sorted. HOWEVER there are some "renegade" local authorities who will try to get cost awards against users. For the majority of local authorities this is a very slim to zero risk, but you MUST make absolutely sure of your facts before sending Form 1 and activating Section 63. The mere mention of a section 63 will often galvanise the more craven, or more cooperative, LA's into action.
Obstructions commonly dealt with under section 63 are some of the following:
missing sign or waymark/incorrectly-sited sign or waymark/misleading sign or waymark/dangerous surface/surface out of repair/uncut crop with no indication of path/ploughed path/ploughed or cultivated path not reinstated/locked, unusable or dangerous gate/bull of a dairy breed over 10 months old/aggressive dog/missing or unsafe bridge/poor drainage impeding passage/fallen trees or branches/vegetation overgrowth esp nettles, brambles, gorse/dangerous fencing eg barb, electric/buildings and constructions/machinery on path/rocks on path/presence of slurry on path.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
ALSO - this is useful
Section 130 - Protection of public rights
Highways Act 1980
(1) It is the duty of the highway authority to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway for which they are the highway authority, including any roadside waste which forms part of it.
(2) Any council may assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway in their area for which they are not the highway authority, including any roadside waste which forms part of it.
(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2) above, it is the duty of a council who are a highway authority to prevent, as far as possible, the stopping up or obstruction of -
(a) the highways for which they are the highway authority, and
(b) any highway for which they are not the highway authority, if, in their opinion, the stopping up or obstruction of that highway would be prejudicial to the interests of their area.
(4) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, it is the duty of the local highway authority to prevent any unlawful encroachment on any roadside waste comprised in a highway for which they are the highway authority.
(5) Without prejudice to their powers under section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972, a council may, in the performance of their functions under the foregoing provisions of this section, institute legal proceedings in their own name, defend any legal proceedings and generally take such steps as they deem expedient.
(6) If the council of a parish or community or, in the case of a parish or community which does not have a separate parish or community council, the parish meeting or a community meeting, represent to a local highway authority -
(a) that a highway as to which the local highway authority have the duty imposed by subsection (3) above has been unlawfully stopped up or obstructed, or
(b) that an unlawful encroachment has taken place on a roadside waste comprised in a highway for which they are the highway authority, it is the duty of the local highway authority, unless satisfied that the representations are incorrect, to take proper proceedings accordingly and they may do so in their own name.
(7) Proceedings or steps taken by a council in relation to an alleged right of way are not to be treated as unauthorised by reason only that the alleged right is found not to exist.
Section 130 - Protection of public rights
Highways Act 1980
(1) It is the duty of the highway authority to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway for which they are the highway authority, including any roadside waste which forms part of it.
(2) Any council may assert and protect the rights of the public to the use and enjoyment of any highway in their area for which they are not the highway authority, including any roadside waste which forms part of it.
(3) Without prejudice to subsections (1) and (2) above, it is the duty of a council who are a highway authority to prevent, as far as possible, the stopping up or obstruction of -
(a) the highways for which they are the highway authority, and
(b) any highway for which they are not the highway authority, if, in their opinion, the stopping up or obstruction of that highway would be prejudicial to the interests of their area.
(4) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, it is the duty of the local highway authority to prevent any unlawful encroachment on any roadside waste comprised in a highway for which they are the highway authority.
(5) Without prejudice to their powers under section 222 of the Local Government Act 1972, a council may, in the performance of their functions under the foregoing provisions of this section, institute legal proceedings in their own name, defend any legal proceedings and generally take such steps as they deem expedient.
(6) If the council of a parish or community or, in the case of a parish or community which does not have a separate parish or community council, the parish meeting or a community meeting, represent to a local highway authority -
(a) that a highway as to which the local highway authority have the duty imposed by subsection (3) above has been unlawfully stopped up or obstructed, or
(b) that an unlawful encroachment has taken place on a roadside waste comprised in a highway for which they are the highway authority, it is the duty of the local highway authority, unless satisfied that the representations are incorrect, to take proper proceedings accordingly and they may do so in their own name.
(7) Proceedings or steps taken by a council in relation to an alleged right of way are not to be treated as unauthorised by reason only that the alleged right is found not to exist.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
ALSO
For upgrading footpaths to bridlepath, which the Cross Trails Trust in Somerset has been doing, and has created 80 new bridlepaths.
http://www.thetrailstrust.org.uk/
They have published a book on how to do all this, step by step, and the reasons their method works better than confrontation.
For upgrading footpaths to bridlepath, which the Cross Trails Trust in Somerset has been doing, and has created 80 new bridlepaths.
http://www.thetrailstrust.org.uk/
They have published a book on how to do all this, step by step, and the reasons their method works better than confrontation.
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
I'm a member of my local bridleways group, i'm not claiming to be the most active but the problem we have is the council really. Urban sprawl meant that places used to ride 20 years ago are now housing estates, quiet roads used to access routes are now rat runs & farm tracks are now no longer farms but homes & golf courses. There's been success at keeping the remainder open, but we struggle to get anywhere else. There is a lane, that is actually a council owned road that runs about 3/4 mile between a lot of yards. It's impossible to drive down in anything but a tractor, & even in a jeep its quicker to drive round the road through a nearby housing estate. It's passable only on foot or horseback or slow cycling. Despite going through all the proper channels, the council still won't allow a decent surface to be laid for riders, walkers etc, even though it wouldn't cost the council a penny. We've had a lot of other problems along the same lines too.
5horses2dogsandacat
Well-Known Member
I've only read a few posts and didnt see the post this is leading on from...
But...
It angers me when I see people walking/riding/cycling where they shouldnt be.
The way I've heard a lot of farmers put it is, how would you like it if they came and rode all over you back garden trampling down your flowers? how would you feel?
But...
It angers me when I see people walking/riding/cycling where they shouldnt be.
The way I've heard a lot of farmers put it is, how would you like it if they came and rode all over you back garden trampling down your flowers? how would you feel?
Ollie's Mum
Well-Known Member
I'm a member of my local bridleways group too and was once asked to go along to a meeting with the local council as we had an issue relating to a bridleway on their agenda. I got the impression that as riders our needs were not considered to be as important as other groups such as the Ramblers Association because we don't seem to shout as loud! Members of the Ramblers were there at the meeting and were very vocal when it came to any issues that they were interested in - do we as riders sit back and not want to get involved? There was also the problem of things just seeming to take so long doing round in circles - things on the agenda relating to queries going back to 1980's and still ongoing. Maybe people just get fed up and give in?
The_snoopster
Well-Known Member
I have a footpath running straight across field which dog walkers/ramblers use, now most of them are polite and put dogs on leads and generally leave the horses alone. But there are some who decided to smash the style up, let their dogs chase the horses and think its funny. So while I appreciate most are following the country side code, the ones who abuse it ruin it for others. Because if I had my way I would close it down, so I could avoid the problems the idiots cause.
So I can understand why most farmers/landowners would not want access for horses on there land, it only takes a few to spoil it for the rest. Also near us there is a playing field and a couple of riders decide this would be a good place to school their horses, obviously its not with children playing in the area. The same few also ride their horses on the footpaths and let their horses poo all over where pedestrians walk, it just gives horse riders a bad name. Fair enough horses poo whilst out which is fine on bridleways and the actual roads, but not on footpaths.
Rant over
So I can understand why most farmers/landowners would not want access for horses on there land, it only takes a few to spoil it for the rest. Also near us there is a playing field and a couple of riders decide this would be a good place to school their horses, obviously its not with children playing in the area. The same few also ride their horses on the footpaths and let their horses poo all over where pedestrians walk, it just gives horse riders a bad name. Fair enough horses poo whilst out which is fine on bridleways and the actual roads, but not on footpaths.
Rant over
lazybee
Well-Known Member
Looking at many of the attitudes on this thread. I'm not surprised there's hardly anywhere to ride. You certainly don't do yourselves or your fellow riders any favours. I find it quite bizarre Most seem to want to restrict access even more, weird..................... .com.
The way forward in my mind is to join all the self interest groups together and campaign for rites or way as a single body. The trails trust seem to be the way forward and the Somerset example sounds superb. If this scheme was wholeheartedly adopted nationwide, the UK's problems would all but disappear.
For the record I have 12ha and don't have a problem with our track being used. We get walkers, cyclists, quads, runners (one runner) trail bikes, rough shooters and yes horses. The point is. Here all the lanes/tracks are open, therefore the pressure is off. I do get these visitors, but not very often. I can go out for hours and not see a soul. There's so much more to choose from so we don't get the 'hotspots' and inevitable conflicts. For example if you had one of two lanes in your area, everyone is forced to use the same space; no wonder you're falling over each other. The UK is criss crossed with thousands of miles of tracks and nearly all are closed.
Most seem to want to restrict access even more, weird..................... .com. The way forward in my mind is to join all the self interest groups together and campaign for rites or way as a single body. The trails trust seem to be the way forward and the Somerset example sounds superb. If this scheme was wholeheartedly adopted nationwide, the UK's problems would all but disappear.
For the record I have 12ha and don't have a problem with our track being used. We get walkers, cyclists, quads, runners (one runner
) trail bikes, rough shooters and yes horses. The point is. Here all the lanes/tracks are open, therefore the pressure is off. I do get these visitors, but not very often. I can go out for hours and not see a soul. There's so much more to choose from so we don't get the 'hotspots' and inevitable conflicts. For example if you had one of two lanes in your area, everyone is forced to use the same space; no wonder you're falling over each other. The UK is criss crossed with thousands of miles of tracks and nearly all are closed.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
I think the reason people seem apathetic about bridleways is the lack of b****y time!
The majority of people I know with horses are women, who also work, who also have children, who also have to cook, clean ,shop and provide a card and a birthday present for a party that your child has only just told you about. Not forgetting we are supposed to be slim,atractive and sexy in our spare time.
It can not be just a coinsidence that the only people I know who are active in bridleways have no children or they are paid to be or they are men and have a wife to do all the boring work.
Having last Sunday passed a 200 cycleists on club ride, guess what, most of them were men and only a couple had kids in tow. Before a women does anything she has to find a babysitter or organise her day so those left at home do not feel neglected as they may not be able to work out whats for dinner.
I am a member of the BHS for 30+ years and I think they spend far too much time on vocational qualifications and not enough on ordinary riders and their needs.
The majority of people I know with horses are women, who also work, who also have children, who also have to cook, clean ,shop and provide a card and a birthday present for a party that your child has only just told you about. Not forgetting we are supposed to be slim,atractive and sexy in our spare time.
It can not be just a coinsidence that the only people I know who are active in bridleways have no children or they are paid to be or they are men and have a wife to do all the boring work.
Having last Sunday passed a 200 cycleists on club ride, guess what, most of them were men and only a couple had kids in tow. Before a women does anything she has to find a babysitter or organise her day so those left at home do not feel neglected as they may not be able to work out whats for dinner.
I am a member of the BHS for 30+ years and I think they spend far too much time on vocational qualifications and not enough on ordinary riders and their needs.
Littlelegs
Well-Known Member
Honetpot- you've just explained the reason why I am not the most active member of my bridleways association. I'll attend fundraising events etc but will never be on the committee whilst daughters young. Think as well ramblers etc only have to concentrate on organising themselves, not time consuming care of horses as well. And riders are a minority compared to walkers & cyclists.