PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
Date: 8 June 2007 Release: Immediate
The British Horse Society has successfuly prosecuted of a Lancashire landowner who was blocking a bridleway.
On 30 May 2007 Lancashire County Council prosecuted farmer Mr Ellison of Chipping for obstructing Bridleway No 10 in the parish of Chipping.
At Preston Magistrates' Court Mr Ellison was found guilty on two charges of obstruction in October 2006, and was fined £200 for each obstruction plus £600 costs. Mr Ellison also has to pay an additional bill of £700. This was for the removal of eight bales of silage blocking a gateway after contractor had to be brought in to clear them when Mr Ellison refused.
Bridleway No. 10 runs across Mr Ellison's land has been obstructed for more than 25 years.
Chris Peat, British Horse Society Regional Access and Bridleways Officer for Lancashire, said: "This is a great victory for the British Horse Society Access movement. Last October we gained the evidence necessary for Lancashire County Council to take him to court which resulted in a successful prosecution by the council's enforcement team.
"This will hopefully send out the message to other landowners that making rights of way difficult or impossible to use by the public can prove extremely expensive. We would like to thank the Lancashire County Council enforcement team for working with us in a prompt and professional manner."
Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: "Prosecutions such as this are essential to reinforce to landowners who obstruct rights of way that action will be taken against.
"The blocking of a bridleway not only denies horse riders access to that route but also to the wider rights of way network beyond that. Horse riders only have access to 22 percent of the overall public rights of way network and it is therefore imperative that we keep these routes open so that riders have access to safe off road riding opportunities."
The British Horse Society has successfuly prosecuted of a Lancashire landowner who was blocking a bridleway.
On 30 May 2007 Lancashire County Council prosecuted farmer Mr Ellison of Chipping for obstructing Bridleway No 10 in the parish of Chipping.
At Preston Magistrates' Court Mr Ellison was found guilty on two charges of obstruction in October 2006, and was fined £200 for each obstruction plus £600 costs. Mr Ellison also has to pay an additional bill of £700. This was for the removal of eight bales of silage blocking a gateway after contractor had to be brought in to clear them when Mr Ellison refused.
Bridleway No. 10 runs across Mr Ellison's land has been obstructed for more than 25 years.
Chris Peat, British Horse Society Regional Access and Bridleways Officer for Lancashire, said: "This is a great victory for the British Horse Society Access movement. Last October we gained the evidence necessary for Lancashire County Council to take him to court which resulted in a successful prosecution by the council's enforcement team.
"This will hopefully send out the message to other landowners that making rights of way difficult or impossible to use by the public can prove extremely expensive. We would like to thank the Lancashire County Council enforcement team for working with us in a prompt and professional manner."
Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: "Prosecutions such as this are essential to reinforce to landowners who obstruct rights of way that action will be taken against.
"The blocking of a bridleway not only denies horse riders access to that route but also to the wider rights of way network beyond that. Horse riders only have access to 22 percent of the overall public rights of way network and it is therefore imperative that we keep these routes open so that riders have access to safe off road riding opportunities."
