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RIDER RIGHTS

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Says Naomi Smith

Says Naomi SmithIt is all too possible to round a corner on horseback and come upon a group of cattle with no prior warning -this WILL result in a horse being badly spooked at best, bolting at worst -it is only a matter of time ........... read more

Meon Valley, Hampshire BHS under attack for failing riders

"My gut feeling is that you should not expect any support from the BHS, at times it just felt like it was a council propaganda meeting for cyclists, rather than a society that supposedly supports horse riders. "

Meon Valley Trail Protest To Take Place In Wickham

Says Martin von Monty

We walked part of the Railway Line today with someone senior from the BHS. Apparently Hannah Marsh somehow managed to ride the whole route today on her horse to try and vindicate her previous judgement. My gut feeling is that you should not expect any support from the BHS, at times it just felt like it was a council propaganda meeting for cyclists, rather than a society that supposidly supports horse riders. They will take our comments away so we can always "live in hope". But I did get the distinct impression that they have been misinformed on numerous occasions as well by the council and SDNP. We will all see this through

Says Liz Nelson

Absolutely astonishing that BHS who are supposed to be representing its members, would risk allegations of underhandedness at best and collusion with HCC/SDNP at worst, by not being open and available for discussion with members of the group during this obviously planned visit.

Says Diane Williams

Perhaps a shortlist of all the failings of the Bhs Hampshireshould be emailed to all Riding Clubs for review?

Says Pat Staples

So Mark Weston BHS thinks the surface betwen Droxford and Wickham is ok? Really? Time we got local Pony Clubs involved.

Says Kathryn Montague

The problem is that it does matter what Hannah Marsh thinks clearly as BHS are regarded as God when it comes to bridleways etc, so this will always get thrown back at us

Comments Tony Barnett

- There is no evidence that HCC applied for change of use from railway line to what they refer to as a bridle path

- Other dedicated rights of way, country lanes and roadways, all are insured, Meon Valley is not, yet the invite by HCC to use as bridleway, foot path,cycle track could mislead people,

- Those that access do so at own risk

Says Tony Barnett

Says Tony BarnettMeon Valley is a derelict open parcel of land which once held railway lines, it appears that the full length of the ex railway passage has been given to HCC, apparently with no suggestions for use.

As it stands at this moment in time it has no recorded status and is referred to "as" which cannot be registered.

May I help with this matter on rights or purported rights of access over what the council refer to as a bridle way and public access and also the works to alter the landscape, flora and fauna geology of the area?

HCC are keeping the true facts to themselves and unless an FOI is made, then failure to disclose will remain, there is no evidence that HCC applied for change of use from railway line to what they refer to as a bridle path, public footpath and until the change of use application has been made and there has been a public hearing, then it is not a public anything.

It could also be that the parcel of land is not registered as HCC property, has anyone applied to HCC for copies of ownership,conveyance by gift? was there a TPO on the wooded area?

The statement by HCC that the disused railway track is now a bridleway, public access should hold a public liability certificate now that it has adopted the land because like any public access eg pavements and other dedicated rights of way, country lanes and roadways, all are insured, Meon Valley is not, yet the invite by HCC to use as bridleway, foot path,cycle track could mislead people, the laying of the new surface is adoption.

It will be prudent by those that accept the invitation from HCC of the new development of the surface,do so at their own risk, had there have been no works to develop and no invitation to use, then the public would be able to make a claim from their own insurance companies proving there was no trespass.

There is speculation that BHS has approved the new bridlepath, on what grounds? BHS will not support any Horseriders meeting with accident in fact they will never face any council, so their input should not be accepted as fact.

Main consultation should be with HCC for assurances of compensation will be made subject to accident, if not then the new surface must be removed, a council statement that those that access do so at own risk and that no motor propelled vehicles are allowed, you may do as you wish, but the advice is factual.

Says Linda Wright

Says Linda WrightWe moved to a Shropshire location a year ago having surveyed the local OS map and noted the significant number of bridleways around the property. Sadly the map appears a total fiction. Scarce any of the bridleways are usable ........... read more

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