News in brief

All HBA members receive a bimonthly newsletter, which includes a more detailed update of activities, issues and recent changes (or proposed changes) to access for horses.

July 2008

Online Petition: Repeal of Definitive map 2026 cut-off date

The Ramblers’ Association have put a petition on the No.10 web site calling for repeal of the cut-off date legislation for claiming historical rights of way. This is entirely in line with BHS policy. Please support if you agree AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/repeal2026/

North Yorkshire County Council Countryside Service News

The latest edition of Countryside Service News from North Yorkshire County Council is available using the following link on the NYCC website:

http://www.northyorks.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2408&p=0

The newsletter is available electronically on the NYCC website quarterly (www.northyorks.gov.uk/countryside) and includes forthcoming events, and
recent news of the work of the Public Rights of Way, Natural Environment and Historic Environment Teams from around the County:

If you wish to add anyone to the distribution list please send email addresses to countryside@northyorks.gov.uk

Ferrensby Ride Photographs

We are liaising with the independent photographer who took photographs of those taking part in the Ferrensby ride, as he is having problems uploading the photographs to a website where they can be viewed. To find out how to view and/or buy a copy of your photograph, please telephone Judith, our Chairman, on 01423 770144 no later than 10 June 2008.

Downing Street Petition for transport routes along former railways

Sign up to ask the Prime Minister to instruct Ministers to ensure all former rail corridors are protected for use as transport corridors.

Please click on the link below to confirm your signature on the petition:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/old-rail-lines/CuvZ8JAb2CvkC93VdaABLGV

The petition was created by Martyn Bolt and reads:

'We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to instruct Ministers to ensure all former rail corridors are protected for use as transport corridors.'

January 2008

Harrogate to Ripley Bridleway/Cycleway/Off-road route Creation Scheme

The Bilton/Ripley scheme to create a bridleway/cycleway/off-road route largely following the disused railway line between Bilton, running over the Bilton viaduct, to Ripley is to receive major lottery funding as part of Sustrans' Connect2 bid.

Harrogate Bridleways Association has pledged £1,000 towards the cost of this scheme, and further contributions from individuals or groups are welcomed.

October 2007

BHS petition calls for bigger say for equestrians in access law-making

The British Horse Society is calling on all equestrians to sign a petition asking the Government to give them a say in all new access and rights of way legislation.

The BHS Access Department and its regional access and bridleway officers would like riders and other horse lovers to sign the petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Equestrianaccess/

Equestrians are the most vulnerable of road users and need increased off-road access for their safety and the welfare of their horses. Horse riding and driving provides healthy outdoor exercise, which the Government is keen to encourage.

It is enjoyed by more than four million people in the UK and is the second biggest land-based industry, but equestrians have not been included in recent access-creating legislation which would help make them safer and encourage healthy outdoor recreation.

Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: "It is vital that we use all means available to impress on the Government that equestrians need more and safer access. E-petitions are one way of showing the demand, along with writing to our MPs."

The recent petition calling for amendments to the equestrian sections of the Highway Code attracted just under 20,000 signatures, showing the amount of concern there was in the equestrian community.

For further information, please contact: Mark Weston, Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, The British Horse Society, on 01926 707760 or mark.weston@bhs.org.uk

August 2007

Please sign the petition to stop the highway code being amended to stop horse-riders riding two abreast on the road.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Horseriding/

June 2007

Speed limits on rural lanes:

There is a petition on the No 10 website calling for mandatory speed limits of 30mph, or lower where appropriate, on narrow lanes such as those typically found in rural areas. If you would like to support it, go to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/countrylanes/

Hartwith Cum Winsley CP. Birchfield Farm. Grid Reference 212 598.

The three narrow gates on the bridleway at the above grid reference have now been replaced with wider hunting gates with levers following complaints over a number of years by horse riders. Thanks go to Nicky Bunting of NYCC for organising these.

Public Bridleway at Goldsborough Mill Bridge, Goldsborough re-opens, - Grid Reference 367 559

HBA's bridleway coordinator, Keith Wighton, had been pressing NYCC for these repairs for many years. The bridge is now much safer for riders to use and much improved overall.

The creation of a public bridleway from the Bilton area of Harrogate to Ripley, using the route of the former railway line over the Nidd Viaduct, is now being actively considered by an advisory group, which includes Harrogate Bridleway Association’s bridleways co-ordinator, Keith Wighton.

Horseriders, cyclists and walkers have been asking for this scheme to provide a crucial off road route since at least 1992.

The Harrogate to Ripley route has been chosen as one of 125 around the UK
included on the Sustrans long list of projects for the Connect2 funding bid.

Strength of public support is one of the key criteria to decide which projects go
through. All of us need to pledge our support to this project, which will provide a much needed corridor to the countryside as well as extending the options for longer distance trail riding.

A public consultation is to take place shortly, and Harrogate Bridleways Association will be considering how best we can encourage all our members and other riders to respond to this.

Please pledge your support for this proposal on: http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/
It's very easy to do, and it could make all the difference in determining whether this proposal goes forward to a live vote.

In addition, show your support for the project by completing and returning an e-mailed consultation leaflet available from melisa.burnham@harrogate.gov.uk .

Wildlife and Countryside Act Section 52: Leeds City Council (Scarcroft Path No. 2, off Thorner Lane, Scarcroft, Leeds): Modification Order 2005

The Planning Inspectorate has confirmed the above order to upgrade from footpath to bridleway subject to modifications to add two lengths of bridleway.

Surfacing materials added to bypass section adjacent to field gate in front of Stainley Hall farmhouse.