THE BRITISH HORSE SOCIETY SOUTH WEST - RIGHTS OF WAY SURVEY

The Cornwall County Council is in the process of drafting its Rights of Way Improvement Plan which will go towards determining the future of our paths network. We want to ensure that bridleways are seen as very important to this plan.

The Cornwall County Council is currently consulting all users via a questionnaire.

I attach both the Questionnaire (CLICK HERE FOR PDF FILE)
and a Poster as a (CLICK HERE FOR POSTER)

This is both a rare golden opportunity and a crucial opportunity for horse riders (and other users) to influence Cornwall County Council's decision making on priorities and associated funding. The more riders who complete this the better. We need a huge response from Cornish riders to make the difference we all seek; that is the overwhelming need for a truly joined-up off-road riding network for riders and cyclists. PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE County Council IMMEDIATELY (Address at end of questionnare). We do need to let the County Council know there are a large number of riders who depend on our bridleway/paths network.

The main points to bear in mind when you fill in your form are:

Over 50% of the routes you ride are not protected in law on the map. They can be closed off to you the moment a landowner challenges your right to ride through.
Your bridleway network is fragmented with lots of missing links that stop you enjoying safe off road circular riding routes. There are too many dead-end bridleways that do not connect through to anywhere.
We need a safe and reliable off-road bridleway and byway network that we can ride.
More efficient ways must be found to correct the Definitive Map than the current tedious and expensive Modification Order process.
Modification Orders to claim simple routes should be made easier and quicker to process.
Many riding routes are old cart tracks and designated as footpaths when they should be bridleways. We think it is wrong that Cornwall County Council do not take historical evidence into account when we try to claim a route.
Blocked and obstructed riding routes should be dealt with. If they are not the route 'grows in' and is lost to us.
Unsafe gates off hinges need to be fixed.
Dangerous bogs and treacherous paths need to be made safer.
There are two critical questions on the form:

(numbers 26 and 28)
We suggest you answer Question 26 "strongly disagree" because omissions and errors on the definitive map are the reason we are losing so many riding routes.
We suggest you answer Question 28 with:: "A joined up riding network of definitive bridleways."

(note: where the questionnaire refers to paths it does mean everything - footpaths, bridleways, byways etc.)

We believe there are huge and relatively untapped rural economic gains to be made if the bridleway network in Cornwall is improved. We spend hundreds of pounds on our horses - all of which goes into feed merchants, tack shops, farriers, vets and livery. It is time we got good riding in return instead of taking our chances on the increasingly busy roads. (Cornwall's traffic increases by 40% during the Summer!)

All local authorities have to prepare a Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan (PRoWIP) for the government. The questionnaire is simple and straight forward with bags of scope for you to write your views. Individual responses to this questionnaire will really count. Forward/Copy this letter and questionnaire to your friends. It can also be completed online.

Please see www.cornwall.gov.uk/Countryside

Adrian and Margaret Bigg Nov. 05

BHS County Access Officers Cornwall

County Access & Bridleway Officers

I attach both the Questionnaire (CLICK HERE FOR PDF FILE)
and a Poster as a (CLICK HERE FOR POSTER)