Please read if you ride/walk on Chobham Common

[starsky]

The council are proposing to graze cattle on the common. This will mean fencing off large sections of the common and putting up gates etc, which walkers and riders will have to negotiate.

There is a public meeting on Thursday 22 October at Chobham Village Hall (7.45pm), where there is expected to be a lot of opposition to the plans from riders and walkers who have concerns about restricted access and safety. There are also questions about the legalities of fencing a public common.

We want to keep our common as it is! If you have an opinion (especially if it's an objection

) please come along and voice it.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

can I just put myself in the firing line here?

Has anyone been to see Headley Heath since the fencing and cattle was implemented? I only suggest this because many of the protesters have sinced changed their minds.
Is it not worth seeing how the regime might work by speaking to the local horsey community in the Headley Heath area before objecting?

A friend of mine went on holiday to this area this summer with her horse and her only comment was the horse gates that opened towards her were easier to operate than those that opened away. When I questioned her on riding a horse that had never seen cattle and sheep on the common- she hadn't even noticed!

I understand people don't want change, but it makes no sense to reinvent the wheel! Speak to the riders at Headley heath and look at photographs of the area 35 years ago- commons were grazed with horses, pigs, cattle and sheep until very recently. And they roamed all over the common- imagine riding next to that!- and the commoners and owners are within their rights to start that up again immediatly if they so wish!

I'm not suggesting people should agree with these plans. But a better understanding means a more informed decision and you can provide a more articulate point of view- this is more likely to be listened to. And if you could acquaint yourself with the Commons Act 2006 even better!

 

[starsky]

I haven't been to Headley, but have encountered a common 'managed' in this way before. It wasn't long before several of the gates were in disrepair and impossible to open whilst mounted. One gate in particular couldn't even be opened on foot as the hinges were damaged, resulting in a long detour or going home the way you came. Once bitten, twice shy I'm afraid.

Common land is public land for everyone to use, not under restriction from the council.

 

[star]

we have cattle on the common next to my house (Brentmoor Common in West End) and on the ranges in Pirbright where I ride - they dont really interfere with riding on either common. Here they are fenced off away from the bridleways and where I ride there are gates and fences to keep them in and we just go through the gates which are all easy to do from horseback.

 

[Gucci_b]

[ QUOTE ]
we have cattle on the common next to my house (Brentmoor Common in West End) and on the ranges in Pirbright where I ride - they dont really interfere with riding on either common. Here they are fenced off away from the bridleways and where I ride there are gates and fences to keep them in and we just go through the gates which are all easy to do from horseback.

[/ QUOTE ]
waves... do you ride in Pirbright!!!!!

 

[Goose]

Hi, I am one of the riders who use Headley Heath. Unfortunately there are many riders who have not changed their minds since the implementation of the plain wire fencing and cattle roaming free.

The British Horse Society, the National Trust (who implemented the fencing), the Surrey Local Access Forum (who sanctioned the proposal), the Surrey County Council (who 'licenced' the bridlegates) are receiving almost daily emails from horse riders who are having problems with the gates and the cattle.

Emails to the National Trust explaining concerns or reporting incidents have either been ignored or a standard reply sent that does not address the inidividuals concerns.

Livery yard managers have reported that the level of vacancies in the area has risen to an unusual degree and the impact of the impaired riding on the heath is a significant factor.

Horses are being hit by bridle gates closing too fast. Riders legs are getting bashed and bruised. Horse riders are having to dismount to negotiate the bridle gates. However this option is not open to all riders for reasons of disability or the size and experience of the horse. Consequently these riders can no longer use the heath independently. Where you used to be able to ride and lead another horse or child and pony on the heath - this also is no longer an option.

Along with other horse riders, I was involved with the initial consultation. What has beem implemented bears little resemblance.

We have lost the use of a valuable resource of what used to be a very pleasant off road ride.

 

[joeanne]

They have not long finished the fencing off of the crown land estate next to swinley forest (Bagshot).
Have been told by several riders that its not really interferred with the routes they have always taken, and in fact its made the illegal use of motorbikes much harder.