Should I Report This to the Council?

UnaB

UnaB

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Hiya,

On our hacks we use one bridlepath that leads through some lovely fields - a nice place for a canter and gives us a nice 45 min hack so perfect for after work. The bridle path is just before you get to a motorway bridge and goes directly parellel to the motorway, it is completely concealed from the road because it is low (obviously the road goes higher for the bridge) and it had heavy tree coverage so you cannot see the path at all from the road or motorway bridge. It has one of those swinging gate things that stops traffic going in, but the horses can go around the side of it. This is occassionally left open by the farmer who uses it to access his fields.

Now, obviously whilst it was left open someone has sneaked a caravan into the path and parked it up there. It has been there at least 3 months that i know of, i've never seen anyone there but have noticed lights on in it so there obviously are people there.

Now, yesterday on my hack when i went down there, someone had parked a motobike outside it, they had a small fire in the middle of the path also, not sure what they were doing with that..!! As i walked my horse past the fire (having to go very close to the caravan) the door opened and two very creepy looking men came out and followed me a bit up the path (it curves around before straightening to lead to the field), they watched me all the time I rode down to the field - it was very unnerving.

Presumably they are parked there illegally, i dont know the law on these things but i cant think you can just park up and live on a bridle path!! So who do i report it to? The council? Police? Or is it worth even reporting it anyway, will they do anything??

Usually im not easily unnerved, but yesterday was really quite creepy. I offten walk my dogs along that path too cos its near to my house, it would be even scarier if i'd been on foot!!
 
District Council (unless you are a unitary) planning enforcement....or County Council Public Rights of Way - you might be lucky enough to have a dedicated officer for your area who can / will be able to get on to ti failry quickly.
 
Thanks guys. I'll ring the local council in the morning and see what they say :)

At least if im on a horse i can make a quick getaway...!!!
 
We had something very similar on one of our bridleways a few years ago - they somehow managed to get a flatbed truck and a caravan up over these mounds that had been put in place specifically so people wouldn't take vehicles along there. Were there for months and trashed the bit they settled in, damaged the hedgerow, had fires, rubbish everywhere - also had dog which was quite un-nerving to go past, old scrap metal, leaking barrels of diesel that lovely sort of thing but eventually I assume council were able to move them on or find them somewhere else to go. Like you it made me very nervous as there were no houses nearby and in all the time they were there we never actually saw anyone outside the caravan.
 
Upon reading this....
My first thought and feeling would be to suggest you get in touch with your community police team to make them aware.

Especially if the setting is as remote as described.

And for your own safety, I would consider either riding in company or finding an alternative route for a while!
 
I'd go to the police rather that the council, especially when the men followed you, if it's a council matter they'll refer you.
 
Ah well it will be their "human rights" to just do as they please reagardless of
the law, think I would see if you have a "rights of Way officer" at your council, probably be a chocolate firegaurd, but somewhere to start before getting onto the police.
 
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