British Eventing
Horseytalk.net is now on Twitter
The Brooke
British Horse Society

Horseytalk.net/Hoofbeat EXCLUSIVE
RIDER RIGHTS

click here to read more

The Governement should sycamore rider-friendly policy !

National Trails Review - North Downs Way

"The reference to riding in NE’s response is so minor and lost that equestrians will disappear in all but name "

Says Bob Milton

Says Bob MiltonIt seems that yet again we are pitted against NE. This time it is the National Trails with the appointment of Walk England as the promotion company. By definition the company, if that is what it is, has no interest in equestrian access. I would think that cyclist would do alright as they have the backing of millions of lottery money from Sustrans but most money I believe will be spent on the trail corridor which has no definition and is at the moment outside of the legislation.

The reference to riding in NE’s response 2.2 is so minor and lost that equestrians will disappear in all but name and the fact they have ticked the box but done nothing will not even be measured

Natural England's Response

2.2 Our vision for National Trails is that they are a family of the highest quality public routes for extensive off road journeys connecting our finest landscapes. All of the trails can be completed on foot and several can also be used by horse riders and cyclists. The benefits which National Trails provide to society include public enjoyment; local economic benefit through tourism; environmental enhancement and civic engagement. Our underpinning management principles which flow from these benefits are:

  • Experience - enable as many people as possible to enjoy a wide variety of walking and riding experiences along National Trails and through the English landscape
  • Enhancement - make constant improvement to the Trail and its associated routes. Contribute to the enhancement of the landscape, nature and historic features within the trail corridor.
  • Engagement - build and sustain a community of interest in caring for the Trail and the landscape through which it passes.
  • Economy - creates opportunities for local businesses to benefit from the use of Trails.

If the first bullet point above is correct let them show it with the North Downs Way and make it useable and lawful for equestrians and cyclists.

The usability indicators ie targets KPI and KI do not include the upgrading for all non motorised users

National Trails review:
feedback from the consultation and implementation of changes - NEB PU34 06: (167kb)

National Trails review: feedback from the consultation and implementation of changes - NEB PU34 06: (167kb)
- Annex A: Natural England's response: (396kb)
- Annex B: Report of the Standards Working Group: (266kb)
- Annex C: Report of the Funding Working Group: (322kb)
- Annex D: Analysis of responses to Natural England's consultation: (643kb)
- Annex E: Summary of engagement: (109kb)

The Ramblers have handed in a petition with 18,000 signatures demanding Natural England rethinks its proposals. ...............details

I pine for a more sensible approach to saving our forests

Read more here


Email this to a friend !!

Enter recipient's e-mail: