Pondering about lack of Bridleways

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clipclop

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I was just pondering to myself,,like I do.

I haven't thought this through properly this is just what I have thought about in the last 5 minutes. I thought it would make for a good discussion.

Around these parts we have a handful of Bridleways. However the Footpath network is very good.

I know there is the arguement that horses wreck footways.

Toll rides are becoming more popular.

Drivers moan that we don't pay road tax.

Soooo, I wondered.
If all footpaths were opened up to horses and become Bridleways.
If bridleways could be linked up and we could spend the majority of our time off the roads.
If the standard of the paths was kept up.

Would you be willing to pay a "Bridleway Tax"?

Your thoughts please?
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If all footpaths became bridleways the bridleways would be extensive and I would love to be able to ride that freely along beautiful tracks. I think I would personally pay because bridlepaths often don't tend to have scenery as nice as footpaths but that might be around where I come from.
 
Getting all footpaths turned into bridleways is a very unlikely scenario, but some councils were very blase about the classification of footpath versus bridleways when they drew up the original definitive map. If you can find a path that has been incorrectly classified as a footpath and can prove via user and documentary evidence that it is actually a bridleway, then you can apply to the council to have it upgraded to bridleway status.
 
Yes, I would be prepared to pay a reasonable tax.

Here in our part of Essex the Bridleway network is not good and I am already paying £100pa to use a farm rides scheme (which is very good - lovely tracks close to home).

I have for a long time thought that the reclassification of some of our footpath network would be the best way forward, but how to get it started???
 
Probably impracticle but if it were possible then I would pay a bridleways tax. Our riding club is currently trying to get a bridleway that was downgraded to a footpath put back to its original designation as the landowners are trying to block it. I heard that after 2012 (I think) that it will not be possible to challenge footpath/bridleway status. I would ask though that people ride them responsibly as that is one of the reasons the landowners are being difficult (widening the path, cantering when the ground is wet etc).
 
Anyone that lives in Milton Keynes will know that there are tonnes of bridle ways around over 50miles of them!

In light of this and being selfish my answer would be no, however if I was in an area that was less catered for then I would be prepared to pay
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I would pay
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our bridleways are ok (ish) but you have to go on roads too which are way too busy in the summer! Especially the country lanes that visitors seem to think are the m5!
 
Even if this could be done, the practicalities of re designating rights of way is that on average it can take 6 years to change the use of just one track. But I like the idea. Meanwhile I am still battling to introduce toll routes to Oxfordshire
 
Bonzabean where abouts are you?

I'm in Surrey (south London) and considering our location, we are lucky to have the amount of bridleways we do. However I have been working closely with our local bridleways officer to get tracks upgraded to bridleways. I've met with the council who own the land and although it's going to be a battle (basically because the council haven't got any money and can't afford to put a gate in from the road!) and it's being objected by the walkers, hopefully we'll get there!

Try calling the BHS Access department first - they can put you in touch with someone in your area who may be able to help.

Otherwise you could explore the Toll rides route - I looked at this and spoke to a really helpful lady called Dora - here's her email address dora@tollrides.org.uk

good luck!
 
Might be nice if the ramblers gave us our bridleways back as they now have a right to roam and we don't!Then we wouldn't have to pay
 
Well we dont even HAVE bridleways up here!! We are allowed on forestry tracks but thats about it. They used to charge ONLY horse riders for riding there but luckily we told them how unfair that was so its free now.

I wouldnt pay for having places to ride (not that I hack anymore....!!) because I dont feel we ought to!
 
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