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Check back hereregularly for information and updates on our work for safer, more easily accessible off road riding.
If you have a specific query in the meantime, please email us.
Keep up to date with the latest news in equestrian access.
Find out quickly about issues affecting your riding! Sign up for our monthly email newsletter The Bulletin and receive the latest updates direct to your inbox. Email the editor, stating your name and where you're from eg 'BHS member' or 'Warwickshire County Council'. Your email will not be used for any other purpose and will not be passed on to a third party. Best of all, this service is FREE.
An example of what The Bulletin looks like can be found here
Latest Information
Access Week 2009 was 15-25 May
Find out more here
Events in Access Week
Ramblers' new road guidance
Defra Rights of Way Circular (1/09): Guidance for Local Authorities
A revised version of Defra’s rights of way circular, now called Circular 1/09, has been published. It is available on the Defra website National Trust guidance on Equestrian Access
Information on Gaps Gates and Stiles ( PDF)
Latest Marine Bill and Coastal Access newsletter
Zoonoses from Horse Droppings
Surfacing
Rights of Way Review Committee Planning Guidance Notes
Download notes 1-6 (fourth edition, December 2007)
DfT Information on Pegasus Crossings
Can be found here
Information on Kent Carriage Gaps
Can be found here
BMW case and Access Fighting Fund
More information on the case and the Fighting Fund can be found on our campaigns page
Consultation responses
North Wessex Downs AONB Management plan
Road accident statistics collection
Eco Towns
British Horse Society Response to Natural England Consultation Document - Review of Trails and Routes
Response to the Cambrian Mountains Recreation Vehicle pilot project
Natural England’s draft recreation policy in the natural environment.
Powys Interim Development Control Guidance
Woodlands in Wales
The Draft Recreation Management Strategy for the New Forest National Park Authority and the New Forest Park Plan Consultation Draft
Consultation on the future priorities for and delivery of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund
Transport Committee Enquiry on Road Safety
Coastal access
Consultation on the Protection of Common Land in England (The Commons Act 2006)
Low Emission Zone proposals
Motorcycles in bus lanes peer review
Level Crossings
Right to apply
Our response to the recent Motorcyles consultation can be found here
Outdoors for All Consultation : read the BHS response here
New Wind Farms Guidance
The new BHS Guidance on windfarms is:
‘That, as a starting point when assessing a site and its potential layout, a separation distance of 4 times the overall height should be the target for National Trails and Ride UK routes, as these are likely to be used by equestrians unfamiliar with turbines, and a distance of 3 times overall height from all other routes, including roads, with the 200m recommended in the Technical Guidance to PPS 22 being seen as the minimum, where it is shown in a particular case that this would be acceptable. The negotiation process recommended in PPS 22 should indicate whether, in the particular circumstances of each site, these guidelines can be relaxed or need strengthening to minimise or eliminate the potential difficulties.’
Report any incidents involving wind turbines using this form.
Windfarm applications we are aware of
Planning refusal for wind turbines: Peterborough
British Horse Society Policy on Gates on Restricted Byways
Where it has been proven by a local highway authority that a problem of unauthorised motor vehicle usage exists on a restricted byway, the Society should press for the authority and police to run an enforcement exercise for a minimum period of 12 months but ideally a period of 24 months, this trial period should include the provision of a Kent Carriage Gap.
If the problem persists after the trial period the Society may accede to the making of a traffic regulation order to enable the erection of an unlocked gate provided it is 10 feet/3 metres wide between the gate posts. In exceptional cases the Society may accept a narrower gate, but this should not be less than 5ft 4ins wide, which will allow passage by the majority of horse-drawn vehicles.
The Society will insist on the provision of 20ft of straight path either side of the gate to facilitate:
(a) safe stopping to open the gate;
(b) a straight approach to the gate
(c) sufficient length to open the gate without interference with traffic flow.
The Society will only accede to a padlocked gate being erected if, after the trial period, it has been clearly demonstrated that that is the only way to achieve the aims of the legislation while preserving access for local carriage drivers, and that access by horse riders will be through an
unlocked gate or a gap 5ft/1,5m wide.
The Society will only accede to the erection of a gate if it opens both ways to assist the safe passage of carriages through it.
The Society will only accede to the making of a traffic regulation order if:
· there is provision for it to be reviewed after 4 years
· an on line register, by parishes, is maintained of road traffic regulation orders affecting
public rights of way
Low bridge parapets
If you have a bridge with unsuitably low railings near you, we'd like to know about it! This will help us build up a case file of examples, and help us to help you. Please email us, giving us the place (a grid reference would be helpful), the height of the low barriers in question, the type of road it goes over, and the age of the bridge.
Frequently asked access questions, and some helpful answers.
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