Latest news with #bridleway
BBC News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Resolution needed' over sudden route closure in Shropshire
A resolution must be found after a public road and bridleway in Shropshire was closed without warning, a councillor and a "Keep out - private land" sign appeared several weeks ago, blocking the bridleway through Flanders Ford, between Baschurch and and horse riders said the closures mean they have to negotiate a dangerous road, but the landowner said the route was part of their garden and not an unclassified county councillor Ed Potter said the "hotly debated" matter needed to come to a conclusion so people can draw a line under it. "From my perspective it's causing a lot of angst locally, and I think we'd like to see a resolution either which way - is this or is this not an unclassified road that people can use and cross Flanders Ford," he said he did not know who had fenced it off, although there were rumours, but he said he did not want to speculate."A substantial fence has been put in. It's not something that has been done lightly, and it is clearly blocking what was the route," he said. 'I'd really like an answer' "I think there is a dispute to say this is private property and it isn't an unclassified road, and I suppose that's in the hands of legal between the person who disputes it and Shropshire Council, who would have the ownership if it was an unclassified road."He said he believed the council was in negotiations with the person who had put the fence up."I was under the impression there would have been a resolution within the last couple of weeks; I've not heard," he Evans-Webster, who has been campaigning to get the route reopened, said she was recently nearly hit by a car after being forced to use a road she would not normally have landowner, who does not want to be named, has said there was no evidence the route was an unclassified road, and the disturbance of the river by the horses has led to the spread of invasive plants, such as Himalayan Potter said he was aware that a letter had been sent to residents stating that it was an unclassified road and the obstruction needed to be removed, and if it was not, then the council would clear it."It's very difficult, as there are maps going back 200 or 300 years with it on, and on some other maps it's not there, but it does appear to be there on one of the Shropshire Council maps I've seen, but from my perspective I'd really like an answer one way or another." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Shropshire horse riders forced to use unsafe roads as path shut
Horse riders have been left furious after a public road and bridleway - one of the few routes that drivers don't use - was closed without and a "Keep out - private land" sign appeared five weeks ago, blocking the bridleway through Flanders Ford, between Baschurch and Adcote, Evans-Webster said she had documentation showing that the route is an unclassified public county road, and one of the few in the area riders feel safe to use away from vehicles. But the landowner, who did not want to be named, said the bridleway was part of their garden and not an unclassified county road, adding the matter was in the hands of their lawyer. Shropshire Council said it was investigating. Two post and rail fences were put up at the end of May, blocking the bridleway from Bunny Lane to the River Perry. Branches also cover the is a double-blow to horse riders and walkers, after previously losing another route over the Perry, at Adcote Mill, where a bridge collapsed 11 years ago. Legal arguments have led to that route being shut for more than a Evans-Webster, who is campaigning to get the bridleway reopened, said she was recently nearly hit by a car after being forced to use a road she would not normally have landowner said there was no evidence the route was an unclassified road, and the disturbance of the river by the horses has led to the spread of invasive plants, such as Himalayan balsam. The bridleway is part of a long distance route called the Humphrey Kynaston Way, which is publicised by Shropshire campaigner Zia Robins said: "The route is shown as an unclassified county road on Shropshire Council's 1929 Handover Map of Highways, from Baschurch to Nibbs Heath". Coffin route Jane Barker, appointed MBE for her work with Riding for the Disabled, said she had ridden on it for the last 40 years and "can't believe the mentality" of blocking it. "I am absolutely up in arms about it," she Benyon, chair of Shrewsbury and District Riding Club, said that, in the last 10 years riding on the roads has become "untenable", adding that when she goes out on her horse she "takes her life in her own hands".Another rider, who didn't want to be named, said it was an old coffin route linking Ensdon to Baschurch. She said: "I have rights of way on my land, I can't just close them if I feel like it… everyone here seems to think they're above the law." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Nature reserve bridleway connects two villages
Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature reserve. The 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire Council. It runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the council. It is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and lapwing. The idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the area. Mr Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields." Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife". He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. "Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Ex-dairy farm to be turned into RSPB reserve Group given £50k to turn land into nature reserve Bid to transform former farm into nature reserve Wiltshire Council RSPB
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
Wiltshire villages linked by foot for first time
Two villages have been connected by foot for the first time via a bridleway through a nature 2km (1.24-mile) route between Firsdown and Pitton, east of Salisbury, will be enjoyed by walkers, horse riders and cyclists, said Wiltshire runs through Roundbarrow Nature Reserve, land that is being transformed from an intensive dairy farm to chalk grassland by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Councillor Paul Sample said: "This bridleway will give residents and visitors a front row view to see landscape restoration in action – and will encourage people to get out and about to enjoy nature and all its benefits." The reserve is being created on 120 hectares of former farmland being leased to the RSPB by the is hoped the reserve will attract ground-nesting birds such as the rare stone curlew and idea for the bridleway came after the council sought local opinions on ways to enhance the Sample said: "We look forward to welcoming people to this very picturesque part of the county and for them to enjoy the resurgence of wildlife in the adjacent fields." Patrick Cashman, RSPB site manager for Wiltshire's nature reserves, said the charity was "delighted" to be working with the council to "achieve something meaningful at scale for wildlife".He added: "This is a rare opportunity to create a new downland nature reserve from scratch. "Users of the new permissive bridleway will be able to witness the changing view over the coming years from species-poor grasslands and crops towards a more colourful vista as a haven for the characteristic birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms of the Wiltshire chalk."
