Society aims to protect bridleways
The British Horse Society is hoping to set up a network of volunteers to protect and improve bridleways, rights of way and rural access in Norfolk.
A meeting is being held on Tuesday, starting at 7.30pm at the Ecotech Centre at Swaffham, to highlight the importance of keeping the countryside open to horse riders.
Although Norfolk has a recorded 2,355 miles of public rights of way only 678 miles of these are available to horse riders, the rest being footpath or cycleways.
Many of these miles could be at risk, making it increasingly difficult for riders to find safe routes away from busy roads and fast traffic.
“We are keen to set up a team of people to act as points of contact if issues arise regarding bridleway and access issues,” explained Janet Pamment who is the BHS development officer in the eastern region.
“It would be unreasonable to expect one or two people to be responsible for a county the size of Norfolk. Our idea is to divide it into bite-sized chunks with a team of people each looking out for their own area.
“This way, hopefully, we can be alerted if bridleways or rights of way are at risk and something can be done before they are lost for good. It is particularly important that horse riders should be able to get off the highways and away from the dangers of traffic wherever possible.”
Janet stressed that the meeting, being held during BHS Access Week, will be open to non-BHS members. “Anyone who wants to do something to protect rural access will be welcome,” she said.
Dr Phil Wadey, BHS regional access and bridleways officer, and currently acting access officer for Norfolk, explained: “In my opinion, there is a desperate need for bridleways volunteers in Norfolk. Everytime I get a consultation from Norfolk county council about the proposed addition of a path to the definitive map, I seem to turn up three or four other paths nearby that also need to be investigated.
“During Access week, I am hoping to have six applications for paths to be added to the map to give to the council – that's one for each decade since the path recording system was established in 1949. I believe Norfolk is far behind other counties in the region for getting its definitive map up to date.
“Paths that existed before 1949 will cease to exist if not recorded by the Government’s cut off day. Coming to the training session in access week will introduce people to the basics of path law, and start them on the way to applying for routes to be recorded.
“The best part about recording paths on the definitive map is that this gives them statutory protection.”
He explained: “Access issues are terribly important in Norfolk. I believe that there was less urgency about recording bridleways in the 1950s in Norfolk than in more heavily-populated counties because at that time there were plenty of minor roads on which riders hardly saw motor vehicles.
“Now, of course, when bridleways are scarce and roads busier and traffic faster, it is more important than ever to ensure all our paths are properly recorded, open and available for use, and well publicised.
“Getting people off the roads has to be good both for road safety, and for enjoyment.”
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Weather for Kings Lynn
Sunday 01 August 2010
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
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