Responsibility for bridleway?

[Marigold4]

The main bridleway near me is becoming unrideable. There is a stretch (about 20 metres) of compacted, smooth, slippery chalk on a steepish slope. When the weather is wet, it goes green and is VERY slippery. I have heard of 2 horses falling over on it and several walkers. I nearly came a cropper on it on my horse the other day as he slipped all over the place. We were going up it thankfully but I think he would have gone over if we had been going down. I get off and walk him over it but it's still pretty hairy. The track narrows there and there's no option for going round it.

I know who owns it but think the owner will be unwilling to do anything to solve the issue. Would it be worth contacting whoever is in charge of bridleways in the area? Who, if anyone, has responsibility for making bridleways safe?

 

[shortstuff99]

Find your local BHS access advisor and they can sort the issue for you. They have been really g9od about bridleways round me

 

[webble]

Speak to your local rights of way officer at the council. I did this once about an over grown path and after some grumbling about county lines they sorted it

 

[tda]

The local council rights of way officer is a good start.

 

[Marigold4]

Thanks, everyone. I will track a rights of way officer down and see what they can do.

 

[Beausmate]

There is probably an online form on the council's website for reporting right of way issues.

 

[Marigold4]

Well, I reported it on the relevant form to the county council and received an email back saying because they are changing systems, no one will be looking at it for at least 4 weeks. I suppose it makes a change from covid excuses.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Well, I reported it on the relevant form to the county council and received an email back saying because they are changing systems, no one will be looking at it for at least 4 weeks. I suppose it makes a change from covid excuses.

Aha, you then track down your local councillor and give them that info, explaining the danger and suggest that the surface needs looking at, offer to meet them there on foot.
Don't lay it on too much or the council could just close it as 'unsafe'.

 

[SEL]

There's one up in the hills by us where lots of riders reported it (over & over & by letter too). The rain had turned it into a gulley and it was on chalk so lethal.

Think it cost Buck CC about £30k to sort including a drainage system at the top to prevent water flowing down it again. Generally they avoid anything to do with bridlepath stuff but I think there were some people they didn't want to annoy in that area! Generally can't get them to do any maintenance work.

 

[Fluffypiglet]

We’ve been reporting bridle ways issues for a couple of years now. One short stretch which means we only have a very short stretch of main road to deal with if we can use it. However it’s completely dangerous with thick deep clay and it didn’t even dry out enough to use in the summer. It’s “on a list” but the list is decided by priority so I doubt it will ever get done tbh. unfortunately the bhs lady just wished us luck when I approached them for advice. I do get a little peed off when they then campaign for “save our bridleways”… (I do get that funds are stretched everywhere and for everyone but I still feel peed off about it!)

 

[catembi]

There is one near me which slopes & is lethally slippy in winter - clay plus tree roots - & me & horse actually both went completely head over heels once when she slipped in the mud then tripped over a tree root. There is also a HUGE deep (2 ft 6 - 3ft) puddle/lake going right from one side to the other. They have surfaced the very edges, but that forces you into hanging brambles & branches, & I shredded a new & expensive T shirt getting caught up. I complained & claimed the cost of the T shirt. The upshot was that apparently it's up to bridleway users to 'take care' when using the bridleway. But I am forced into the brambles when I'm edging past the puddle! Other people have complained too, yet they will NOT fill in the bleddy puddle properly! It's about 50 metres max from the road. All they would need to do is tip one lorry load of < whatever > into it!

 

[Orangehorse]

You could contact your local County Councillor too. The fact that walkers have also slipped and fallen should make this a high priority. But don't say it is dangerous, or they might close it temporarily (however long that is). Say that action needs to be taken.

 

[blitznbobs]

It may just get shut if it’s dangerous … one near us was 7 years ago and it’s still not repaired / reopened and I doubt it ever will be. Councils are struggling for cash and I doubt bridleways are anywhere near the top of the list

 

[Clodagh]

Parish council will have a rights of way person, and probably be more interested than a country council.

 

[dominobrown]

I am in a national park... fences, gates, styles etc are my responsibility however can be supplied by the national park such as gates. The actual surface itself is the responsibility of the national park. I think this is because if it we loads of walkers and therefore erosion etc landowners would be tempted to close paths for it to recover. Don't know if that helps.

 

[sunnyone]

If you are getting attacked by brambles, could you not take a pair of cutters, even big scissors, out with you to trim them back a bit? It's what we used to do.

 

[Marigold4]

I am in a national park... fences, gates, styles etc are my responsibility however can be supplied by the national park such as gates. The actual surface itself is the responsibility of the national park. I think this is because if it we loads of walkers and therefore erosion etc landowners would be tempted to close paths for it to recover. Don't know if that helps.

Thank you. That's very useful to know. We are in a national park too.

 

[dominobrown]

Speak to the national park ranger. We are in the LD but we have had some very good ones. We actually had our gates stolen in lockdown and they were very quick to come and replace them.

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

The bridleway officer in my area is great. He goes out to check reported issues and talks to landowners about how to resolve. With overgrown vegetation he advised can chop it down myself which am fine to do.

 

[Marigold4]

Speak to the national park ranger. We are in the LD but we have had some very good ones. We actually had our gates stolen in lockdown and they were very quick to come and replace them.

Thanks, I will find the ranger and contact.

 

[Orangehorse]

Parish council will have a rights of way person, and probably be more interested than a country council.

Not all Parish Councils have rights of way person. And it is the County Council Highways department who have the ultimate responsibility, although some comer under the Countryside Section of the Council.

But if you are in a National Park, then the Ranger would be the first place to go.

 

[PeterNatt]

I am the BHS Bridleway and Road Safety Officer for Hertfordshire. The surface of the path is the responsibility of the County Council. Trees and Bushes are the responsibility of the land owner. In the first instance report it with as many other people (be they walkers, cyclists or horse riders to the Rights of Way Department of your local County Council. Many County Councils have an online reporting portals. Keep a record of your report. If the matter is not resolved within 8 weeks then contact your BHS Bridleway Officer who will be only too pleased to assist.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

I reported an overgrown bridleway to the county council and they were very quick to get back to me and it was sorted within a week. The surface is still a bit hairy in places but at least you can now get through. I sent photos and what3words reference. I didn’t hear a peep from the BHS’s local bridleway officer

 

[blitznbobs]

Not all Parish Councils have rights of way person. And it is the County Council Highways department who have the ultimate responsibility, although some comer under the Countryside Section of the Council.

But if you are in a National Park, then the Ranger would be the first place to go.

I’d go as far as saying most parish councils don’t have a rights of way person and even less have any useful say in anything… it’s the county council’s rights of way officer you can contact

 

[Marigold4]

I am the BHS Bridleway and Road Safety Officer for Hertfordshire. The surface of the path is the responsibility of the County Council. Trees and Bushes are the responsibility of the land owner. In the first instance report it with as many other people (be they walkers, cyclists or horse riders to the Rights of Way Department of your local County Council. Many County Councils have an online reporting portals. Keep a record of your report. If the matter is not resolved within 8 weeks then contact your BHS Bridleway Officer who will be only too pleased to assist.

Thank you. That's very useful. I emailed the County Council today and will also email the ranger at the national park. If no joy, I'll try the BHS as you suggest. Thanks for your help.

 

[catembi]

I have tried the BHS bridleways officer. No reply yet. I don't think I got one the last time I tried.

Re cutting back the brambles myself - I would need to be on my horse in order to be able to reach high enough. She doesn't like the puddle at all & doesn't like having to go on the poor surface at the edge (it gets hoof prints 6" deep) & it would be dangerous & impossible to snip at something while trying to contain her with one hand. A previous o/h and I cleared a completely different bridleway years ago...if you ducked down to get under the brambles, you got a faceful of nettles...

 

[shortstuff99]

Could try the Cambridge BHS officer as she is very good and normally replies and might know who is local to you

 

[Clodagh]

I’d go as far as saying most parish councils don’t have a rights of way person and even less have any useful say in anything… it’s the county council’s rights of way officer you can contact

I’m gutted, 15 years ago I was the rights of way officer for our Parish council. How things change.

 

[starbucker]

Ive just this morning reported a bridleway near me. We have to zig zag across the crevaces to get down with the fabric root barrier being visible , Ive sent photos direct to the public right of way officer with hopes someone gets back..

 

[Overstone stud]

For ROW complaints record your complaint on street docter/fix my street this is recorded and you get a number and can look up the Rights of Way department of your Councill's reply on site your can use your mobile to send a photo.