footpath to bridleway

[ldlp111]

i know there was a post here awhile ago, but cant remember who posted it. so anyway how do you go about changing a footpath to bridleway? as i found a great footpath which wouldnt need much to convert it.

 

[Happytohack]

PeterNatt is the person to ask - he is a BHS bridleways officer. I think you have to prove continuous use by horses for a number of years to get it changed to bridleway status, but there are probably other criteria. Peter often comes on here, so he will probably answer your post himself, otherwise PM him. Hope it works out.

 

[nessiehhorse]

Here goes:
There is a useful leaflet on the BHS website (BHS.ORG.UK): Claiming a Right of Way. This leaflet can be found in the Access section, leaflet.
Make contact with your local BHS access officer (if you don't know who that is PM me and I'll try and find out for you).
Make contact with your local authortiy Rights of Way dept. and talk to them - they may already be working on this.
Do you know the landower and what their feelings are on upgrading?
Happy for you to PM me as this could go on for pages and bore everyone to death.

 

[ldlp111]

not sure of landowner as its through a forest on track, altho it does split off through some fields. Not sure who local officer is for BHS or even how to contact rights of way dept. im sure there is loads of suitable footpaths which could be converted round here, its whether local people would want horses on them, did have permission to ride along canal but someone complained so that stopped. just fed up of cars speeding past without a care in the world for my or my horses safety.

 

[mainpower]

That may have been my post, regarding a path that has been ridden by local riders for nigh on 40 years. The local ROW officer put bollards up after alleged complaints from local rambler's groups, but has declined to provide proof of these complaints. I contacted all the local rambler groups who denied any knowledge of complaints. The owner of the land that the path crosses, a local animal sanctuary, have given us permission to use the path but the council say the landowner only owns the subsoil, the council own the top surface and therefore are within their rights to prohibit horseriding on it. As well as stopping riders use it the bollards prevent wheelchair users too, which I'm sure contravenes some sort of access for all law.

Anyway, sorry to bring my soap box into your thread, I hope you are successful in your campaign!

 

[sywell]

In the Northamptonshire area of Grafton Regis we upgraded a footpath to bridleway. The footpath had a number of styles on it and after upgrading these were all removed. We had to find people who lived in the area 20 years before and had regularly ridden the path and had not been challanged over using it. A long slow process. Also old maps are needed. Ramblers will say we do not want horse muck on our footpath and you can see their point of view.