SHAME ON OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL!

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PeterNatt

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The BHS shames County Council with public protest

Riders in Oxford today (Tuesday, 6 November) took their fight with car giant BMW and Oxfordshire County Council to County Hall – expressing their anger to councillors over a closed bridleway and a controversial court costs decision.

A "picket on horseback" of Oxfordshire County Council's headquarters by local members of The British Horse Society and Oxford Area Bridleways Association (OABA) was joined by cyclists, members of the public – and the BHS's Chief Executive Graham Cory and two of its Directors, Mark Weston and Oliver Wilson.

The British Horse Society (the BHS) lost a recent court battle to car giant BMW and Oxfordshire County Council over the route and had £30,000 of the council's legal costs awarded against it.

The demonstration attracted strong support from Liberal Democrat and Green Party members of County Council who slammed their council's behaviour.

Councillor Bob Johnston, a Lib Dem transport spokesman, told demonstrators: "You have been dumped on. . . it is monstrous and unfair! In future other groups and individuals will be deterred from fighting for rights of way because of this."

Cllr. Larry Sanders, Green Party leader on the Council, said that the council's pursuit of the BHS and the Ramblers Association for costs in the case was "a shock" and looked like a "vindictive act" particularly since "it appears BMW would have been willing to pay these costs".

Campaigners Nuala Young and Penny Bassett rode to County Hall on Melody and Copper and were filmed on the horses outside the main entrance by BBC South TV News and photographed by the Oxford Mail.

Penny said: "I am protesting because a lovely ride over beautiful countryside has been taken away, and BMW has not made an alternative bridleway available."


Nuala said the now-closed bridleway had been "marvellous". "There are not many places left to ride in Oxford," she added.

The BHS's Chief Executive Graham Cory said: "It is outrageous that the BHS is having to pay to do the Council's work in defending rights of way."

Inside the council chamber, Troth Wells, who has spearheaded the campaign and was a key BHS witness in the case, questioned Oxfordshire County Council's behaviour and was loudly applauded by Liberal Democrat and Green councillors. She also asked the county council to pay the cost of converting the alternative route provided by BMW to walkers and cyclists into a bridleway.

Afterwards, she said: "Today has been a great success. We got our message across – and the fight goes on."

For further information and images of the protest, please contact: Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, The British Horse Society, 01926 707738, 07909 874918 or o.wilson@bhs.org.uk

The British Horse Society is a charity and membership organisation. It has a membership of more than 106,000 (including British Riding Clubs). Membership information can be obtained on 0844 848 1666.
 
Whilst I think the bridleway should have been moved to the edge of the BMW site rather than removed, I think this is wasted huff and puff - barely any horse riders use it as it is in a very built up area.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Penny said: "I am protesting because a lovely ride over beautiful countryside has been taken away, and BMW has not made an alternative bridleway available."


Nuala said the now-closed bridleway had been "marvellous". "There are not many places left to ride in Oxford," she added.

[/ QUOTE ]

I beg to differ...

_44177907_bmw_path_pr_203.jpg


Whilst I understand that this case may well open the floodgates, this particular bridlepath was NOT used (until the closure was threatened) and it is not a dramatic loss to Oxford IMHO. I do not agree that the costs of the case were thrown onto the BHS to foot, but it has been made clear that BMW would have paid them.
 
Perhaps that was worded a little badly.

The bridleway was a marvellous way to reach a lovely ride over beautiful countryside - ie Shotover Common and Park. One does not expect that every metre of a car drive to a favoured destination will be along wonderful roads with stunning views at every corner; however one does expect to be able to drive there safely and by a reasonably direct route.

In the same way, the route to Shotover via BR75 was not in its entirety a canter along springy turf, but was a safe and appropriate route for a normal horse and rider - or for that matter for any cyclist, including accompanied children and those nervous in traffic, and a safe, direct route for walkers including pram-pushers and people in motorised wheelchairs and the like.

It is often forgotten that bridleways are the epitome of multi-use routes - they are NOT solely for the use of horses! - and generally offer a far more suitable route for an unsteady walker, or for one with handicaps, than does the usual footpath. In addition, a bridleway has (or perhaps I should say DID have) far more protection in law than other forms of multi-user path, which will usually only be permissive in nature.

This legal protection is important. Who is to say that in five or ten years' time, or less, the much-vaunted diversion along the bypass will not be taken over for widening of the carriageway ...? I am sure the Rambler's Association took this matter into account when continuing their fight alongside the BHS even after it was made clear that an alternative route for walkers would be provided.
 
Urban horseriding is growing at its fastest rate for many years - so say BETA figures.

The BR75 provided a route through the town to Shotover Park and the bridleway links and lanes beyond.

All over Europe, towns and cities are investigating the revitalisation or new construction of horse routes and multi-user routes which link parks and riding tracks to other parts of town and to riding routes in the countryside.

Oxford is, as far as I know, unique in Europe in already having a multi-user route through the city - one of the greatest antiquity - and, unbelievably, extinguishing it! Retrograde action is not an adequate description of what has been done.

People are apt to forget that a bridleway is not merely for the use of horses. Every bridleway is part of an ancient highway system, now sadly much fragmented, which system is - or should be - available for the use of all non-motorised "traffic" for journeys long or short.

In addition, we are constantly being urged to limit our use of motor vehicles for the sake of the environment. Why, then, was it suggested that a rider use a horse-box or tow a trailer in order to ride on Shotover, when there was a perfectly good bridleway to ride along? Do horses not have legs of their own?

I would also like to refute the idea that the bridleway was "not used". Evidence as to its usage was presented during the court case, and was accepted. I can find that evidence for you if you wish. The fact that a councillor "saw no horses use it" when he watched, during the week, during the day, for a few hours, means less than nothing. Horse owners actually have jobs to go to, like most people in the world, and do not have the freedom of this councillor to just sit around wherever they want to during the day.
 
Quite a few of our paths go through large industrial estates, and look very similar to this one. One in particular starts on a major motorway junction, goes through and round a large car showroom/repair centre, next to the McDonalds drive through, under the M62, and then over an unmanned level crossing. It may not be particularly pretty, and I may not use it a lot, but I do use it as it's a link to other nicer paths and it is my only link across town - it cuts out six miles of busy road.

These little urban links are vital to urban riders. And the fact that the costs were awarded against two charities is simply appalling.
 
For goodness sake look furthur than the end of your nose and your own back yard, if you have one left that isn't now a road or housing site, this isn't just about an un pretty Bridleway, it's about whats being taken away bit by bit EVERYWHERE, we have had a route taken away from us in Derby and it given to the cyclists as a sustrans route, we NOW have to go a longer way round on a very very busy roundabout spanning a dual carriageway and onto a very busy narrow road to link up to the existing route, wake up people, it wont be long before it's your turn.
 
personaly i dont ride on the roads its far too dangerous now. I travel another 10 mins up the road where i stable my horse at a farm. we are allowed to ride over their land providing we stick to the edge during winter and fields with crops in. during the summer we have lovely fields to gallop all over.
I urge others to locate yards like this, you may have to pay a bit more and travel a bit further but it is worth it.

you only have to look back over recent posts to realise that your life and that of your horses isnt worth the risk.
 
Ditto pedantic I'm currently battling to get Croydon Council to open a new bridleway and I think I'd get more sense banging my head on a brick wall. There are more horses within the M25 than anywhere else and urban riding is very, very much a part of riding.

You could argue that our bridleways in Croydon aren't used that much. But let us think of why..... because my yard is the ONLY yard left because they have all closed down. If we stop fighting this cause, be it in our own back yard or not, it will set a dangerous precedent and very soon it will happen to you, and all bridleways will close.

I haven't read the details of this case but on the face of it I wholeheartedly agree with those who supported this campaign and take my hat off to them

Well done guys and keep it up!
 
[ QUOTE ]
personaly i dont ride on the roads its far too dangerous now. I travel another 10 mins up the road where i stable my horse at a farm. we are allowed to ride over their land providing we stick to the edge during winter and fields with crops in. during the summer we have lovely fields to gallop all over.
I urge others to locate yards like this, you may have to pay a bit more and travel a bit further but it is worth it.

you only have to look back over recent posts to realise that your life and that of your horses isnt worth the risk.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is all good and well saying that, but what if finding a yard with decent hacking means that you can only see your horses at weekends? And these yards will be full soon, and you cant just wave a wand and build more out of thin air - especially with land/house prices so high!
If these little cross city routes were still in operation then hacking through town would be safe and people wouldn't need to move yards! I have lived in the country with MILES of hacking and also had my horse just on the edge with limited hacking but good access to an old railway line which took us right into the city - thankfully it is going no where!

It is not just about horses, but a general access issue as they are just working their way down the list of road users - 1st get rid of horses, then cyclists, then what Walkers? And we end up with cities like those in america with no footpaths (some parts of Houston have no footpaths and you have to drive or be done for Jay walking - OH's sis had that done to her)
 
"I urge others to locate yards like this, you may have to pay a bit more and travel a bit further but it is worth it."

I actively disagree - I like my yard... why the hell should I move my horse because it suits people like BMW.

Government legislation (through the CROW Act and ROWIP) states that by the end of this year, all councils should have prepared a rights of way improvement plan, designed to link green spaces, yet Councils seem to be blantently ignoring this statutory requirement.

And what about those yards in London - should they pack up and "locate yards like this, you may have to pay a bit more and travel a bit further but it is worth it." then London will be totally horseless - what a shame this would be.

Horse-riders need to continue to make thier voices heard so we aren't "got rid of"
 
Well aren't you the lucky one to be able to do that. And aren't you the lucky one not to want to go on a ten, or twenty, or thirty mile ride directly from where you keep your horse.

But what will you do when THAT farm is built over, and there are no longer any lovely fields to gallop over all summer long, and because no-one ever campaigned for bridleways (oh, we don't need to, we've got an entire farm to ride over, and lovely fields to gallop in in summer) there won't be ANYWHERE to ride your horse other than round and round in rings in an exercise arena ...?

Can you answer that question, please?
 
BMW and Oxforshire County Council forcing horse riders to ride on busy roads.

..and soon there will be no grassland left or access to fields or set aside because every landowner and farmer in the country will be growing Bio-Fuels for use by the BMW's that are manufactured at the Cowly plant where the bridleway was extingusihed and stopped up.

Make no mistake the only safe routes we have for horse riders are Bridleways amnd Restricteed Byeways. Tere will be nowhere to ride apart from in menages and busy roads.

Is that what you really want?

Please support the BHS in their campaign for more off road riding by joining the BHS.
 
Councillor Mitchell wants any more correspondence sent to councillor Ian Hudspeth, I get the distict feeling he's not happy with all the flack from this fiasco, maybe should have thought about that before becoming one and getting involved with this travesty, jeeeeeez I only sent him 2 emails.
 
This is the reply I got from Ian Hudspeth:

Dear Mr Natt

Thank you for your email that has been forwarded to me by Cllr Mitchell.

The County Council is a public body representing all the residents of the County and has to achieve value for money particularly in potentially expensive legal action. At the start of the case both the B.H.S. and the Ramblers would be aware of the potential costs involved, should the case go against them. They will have taken the decision to proceed with that knowledge. During the summing up the Judge was clear that this case had been extended by 6 days due to the actions taken by the B.H.S. and Ramblers therefore costs were proportionally awarded on that basis; in fact several other objectors attended and voiced their opinions without any costs being awarded against them.


The Judge was also very clear that he found no evidence of the bridleway being used by horse riders during the last 36 years until the stopping up order was started. BMW are allowing the path to be used by people on foot and cycles until the new path is completed at their expense.

The City Council decided that the Cowley Area Forum was the place for this issue to be debated. This was done 4th October. These meeting are open to the public, who are able to address the meeting, local ward and division members attend. All other councilors across the City would be aware of the agenda and afterwards the decision taken, they then have an opportunity for it to be ‘called in’ and referred back to the main City council. At that meeting the Area Forum agreed to support the stopping up order. These area forums are organized by the City council and there is no direct input from the County council.


I can assure you that there has been no collusion between the County council and BMW.

Thank you



Ian Hudspeth
 
The collusion is obvious - BMW offered to pay if the council lost and had costs awarded against them.

Surely that is collusion?

In many other countries it is known by a rather more accurate name, too. Collusion is a rather mild term for bribery, blackmail or "sweeteners", to my way of thinking.
 
As someone who has been deeply involved in this campaign from the start, and who had to put up with five hours of intensive questioning in court from BMW's barrister I'd like to add a few comments.
1) We did not know about the bridleway (I had only recently acquired a horse) until Mar/April 2006, when we were told about it by Oxford City's Countryside Service who suggested we use it to get to Shotover.
2) We then learned it was under an application for closure. So of course we rode it! What should we have done? Not ridden it at all? You can bet they would then really have gone to town on the 'No-one rides BR75/Roman Way' theme. So we were damned if we rode it and certainly damned if we did not, weren't we. Even if we had known about it previously, there is no pressure to force someone to ride somewhere. This does not mean people should lose rights of way. Do you use your car everyday? Or go in the garden even when it is cold and wet? Probably not - but you want the right to do both those things because they belong to you; you don't want someone to take them away from you.
3) The bridleway is just fine - I have plenty of photos that show it in a much better light than the one posted above. In spring and summer much of is has lovely wild flowers, for example. More to the point, it is fairly short and SAFE. And, as someone points out above, it was our ACCESS to a beautiful riding area.
[Sorry, don't know how to put pics here]
4) Surely other riders who may not be in possession of all the facts should think twice about criticising others for trying to keep open our rights of way. This was Oxford - it could be your patch next time.
5) I fully agree with all the points above about urban riding, and riding on roads. In an H&H survey dated 26 July 2007 p 7 It asked 'How often do you ride on public roads?' and the answers was that 28% did so 2-3 times a week; 25% did 4-6 times a week; 15% did so every day and 10% once a week. That adds up to a huge amount of road use. We all need to use roads (unless incredibly fortunate) and it is our right to do so. We need to be there and be seen (yes, in hi-viz!) and claim our rightful space.
6) Somewhere else of this site I believe our riders were criticised for not looking smart enough outside County Hall. I can hardly believe someone would take the time to criticise about that! We are very ordinary riders with very ordinary horses (although mine used to be an eventer in her palmy days with a previous owner). We do not compete, we go for rides and enjoy ourselves. We don't have a lot of money, and all of us have worked really hard to defend our right of way and now, having lost it, to try and keep the issues of access in the public eye to broaden the debate. That day, we were getting the horses ready at 7.30am, taking time off work, riding through rush-hour traffic to get to County Hall where Mark Weston, Graham Cory and Oliver Weston of the BHS were very pleased to see us.
 
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