Riders ‘shut off ’ from the best countryside
THE lack of access to off-road hacking has been highlighted after the British Horse Society (BHS) revealed riders cannot use many of the best countryside trails.
The BHS responded to ITV’s Britain’s Favourite Walks:
Top 100 (30 January) with the statistics that riders can access only half of these and are excluded from the top 20 routes.
“Of those that can be accessed by riders, very few allow them to ride the whole route,” said a BHS spokesman.
“The charity campaigns to protect and extend off-road access for riders and carriage drivers, but many bridleways are under threat and riders are shut off from enjoying our countryside.”
Riders have access to 22% of the rights of way network and the charity is campaigning for better protection for routes for equestrians so they can enjoy the countryside “on equal footing with cyclists and walkers”.
Responding to the programme, BHS director of access, Mark Weston, explained what action riders can take to improve and protect off-road riding.
“We want to encourage as many riders as possible to check that the routes they are riding are recorded on a council’s definitive map,” Mr Weston told H&H.
“If pre-1949 routes in England aren’t recorded by 2026, they will be extinguished and could be closed for good.”
Mr Weston added riders can take part in activities organised through the BHS’ Ride Out UK month in May.
Countryside Alliance’s head of hunting, Polly Portwin, said hunting is a good way for riders to access parts of the countryside.
“While more access for riding is desired to help reduce the number of incidents on the road, access should be negotiated at a local level on a case-by-case basis,” she told H&H.
“One of the many benefits of hunting is that it offers riders the opportunity to cross country that may not otherwise be accessible.
“Through communication, hunt officials work closely with farmers and landowners to ensure hounds and hunt followers are welcome on areas of farm and woodland that may otherwise not be available.”
While riders may not have access to some of the best walking routes, or these may not be suitable for horses, there have been positive developments.
Surrey Hills area of outstanding natural beauty has launched a series of lengthy loop rides, while in Norfolk, £66,000 was spent on building a horsefriendly staircase and improving a riverside path for riders.
“This is the first time I’ve seen horse steps and they are certainly impressive and a very simple and logical solution to making this beautiful section of bridleway usable in the future,” said councillor Martin Wilby, of Norfolk County Council.
The county also has several long routes open to equestrians, including the whole of the 26mile Marriott’s Way, most of the 46-mile Peddars Way and long stretches of Weavers’ Way.